Mystic Aquarium gives update on seal pup found in New Haven
The grey seal is a male and believed to be approximately 5 to 6 weeks old.
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Mystic Aquarium has a new temporary resident - a pup seal found wandering the streets of New Haven over the weekend is in rehabilitation.
The grey seal is a male and believed to be approximately 5 to 6 weeks old.
The first spotting of the seal was recorded on Feb. 13 in Branford, when he rested on land by the beach and then returned into the water.
Mystic Aquarium first responders had been keeping an eye on him since.
On Valentine’s Day, he was reported back on land in Branford and on the 15th, he was seen at Shell and Bones Oyster Bar & Grill in New Haven.
“That’s when it posed a threat to his safety and so he was actually relocated to Branford, released it out there,” explained Mystic Aquarium’s animal rescue program manager Sarah Callan.
On Sunday, Feb. 16 he was seen again, this time deep in the Elm City on Chapel Street.
Further evaluation of the pup showed he was thinner and lethargic, so the Mystic Aquarium took him in.
“We gave him many chances, we did a full exam and found he was dehydrated from his journey and hadn’t been eating,” said Callan.
The New Haven Police Department posted about him on social media and that’s when news circulated, causing many to wonder how the seal has been.
“He’s really cute, he’s feisty which is great we love that, that’s their natural behavior and we love to see that so he’s doing really well so far. It’s a fun story for everyone,” said Callan.
The seal has been having trouble hunting for food, so volunteers at the aquarium have been making him fish smoothies, and he’s enrolled in “fish school,” a couple times a day.
“They manipulate the fish like it’s swimming and try to entice him to eat it and go after it which he is showing interest so that’s a great sign,” said Callan.
The NHPD visited the pup on Tuesday and have asked the department to help name him.
The aquarium hopes to have him fully rehabilitated and able to go back into the wild in about five weeks.
In Connecticut, it is illegal to approach and touch seals.
