2007 06/10 seal rescue story: SCROLL DOWN
It is very important that you NOT rescue seal pups. I am a research associate at Allied Whale, have gone to many of their rescue workshops and have been studying seals for 20 years. Without experience this little pup sweet as it is would have bitten me, it did not want me picking it up. These pups can carry morbillivirus or seal distemper which dogs can contract! So people MUST keep their pets away as well as themselves.
If you find a stranded pup, the best thing you can do for it it keep a distance so as not to distress it. Keep people and dogs away, gather as much visual information as you can (does it look skinny, lethargic, have crusty eyes etc.) and call the nearest Marine Animal Rescue center or aquarium or Marine Patrol. Comments
Life Through A Lens says:Aww such a beautiful baby!
GooseGoddessS
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hope so too, she is on her way down to the
Marine Mammal Center to be rehabilitated.
yes i have been watching her for the last
couple of days..... I think she was able to
Sneak nurse a day of so ago. I kept asking if
she would be hydrated for the trip down. She
will get electrolites and water when she gets
there. So this is the tricky time. she should
be there soon.
hahaha now hodgey as you know it ain't easy,
especially if they don't turn belly up...
which she (I think) was very reluctant to do.
This is the best opportunity... what do you
think?
I will definitely keep you posted. The new
place we are sending them is not as easy to
contact so I will have to keep hounding them
for news.
Thanks for the encouragement to communicate
these experiences and your affection for the
little one! 
Animal Encounters Reader
Aww thanks!!!
I think so too. If you look at the largest
size I think you can just make out the right
nipple? good.
Hello hello! How have you been? Long time
gone?!
about the attachment other seals may have
felt to this pup led to a description of 
I think the population here in Maine is
doing o.k. There are very few predators....
Orcas and sharks are rare in the Gulf of
Maine. The major threats are toxins, and
overfishing. That is sad to hear about
Glacier Bay.
Awww thanks this the first diamond... sword
of excaliber, gold trophy, I've gotten and i
will alway appreciate it but.... I find these
"awards" squelch discussion
(especially if you have to scroll down
through them for miles and miles) and
discussion is why I am here. So thanks but
after I've gazed at it for a while I will
delete it ;)
I am so glad you are dipping into Animal
Encounters reader!! and that you found my
story thanks.
Finding location...
yeimaya
says:
For the last two days I had watched this little pup, laying in the same spot getting weaker and weaker. I observe a group of harbor seals daily and am uneasy about rescuing pups and do it reluctantly. I am ambivalent because I am taking this young one from a familiar place to die. If I rescue them they are put through all the trauma of rescue and they still might die far from their natural home.
The pup was high up on the a ledge 8 feet above the high tide line, separate from the other seals and the tide was going out leaving only mud flats at the bottom of the rock.... this ledge is used by terns to raise their chicks.
The pup had raised its head occasionally but was very lethargic as I approached.
Even when I got close.
But once it spotted me it was not happy.... It lunged at me and warawaraed. It is actually VERY DANGEROUS TO PICK UP A PUP. they can carry a virus called "seal fingers" and it is very very painful. I have enough experience so I threw a jacket over it an was able to imobilize it enough to put it in the boat.
It scrambled to the front to get as far from me as possible. You can see in this photo how skinny the pup is..... a healthy pup looks likes a torpedo, this one has a distinct neck.
When I got to the mainland shore I had to get hold of the rescue organization... it is a half mile through the woods on a greasy mud trail to the house. So the pup had to stay in the boat while we got everything worked out. Stu came down to keep an eye on her and keep her company.
Julie from Allied Whale came to pick up the pup and you can see that it isn't a snuggly business. The pup was hissing at her and did not want to be picked up.
There was a lot of paperwork involved.
We carefully packed the pup in the official Allied Whale truck to be driven three hours south to the rehab center in Portland.... this long, most likely traumatic drive is one of the reasons I rescue pups reluctantly.... what if she goes through this long drive and then doesn't make it?
It was really hard to say good bye.... good luck little one.... fight for life. Once she gets there she will be with other pups and if she makes it through the first few days she will have a good chance to be released in August fat and healthy. Maybe I can convince them to bring her back here for release. Wish her luck...
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )