The team has been extremely busy over the last few days with many reports of live weanling harbor seals, some of them duplicate sightings. We are working hard to keep safe distances between the seals and the public, as well as answering questions about these young animals and educating the public. With both rehabs being full, we cannot pick these animals up for long term care at this time, even though some of them are in need. But we are working diligently to give them space to get the rest they need; relocating them when necessary. Please remember to keep a distance from these animals and call the hotline at 603-997-9448 if you see a live or dead marine mammal on the beach.
The last couple days we have had reports in Salisbury, Newburyport, Hampton, North Hampton, Rye, and even in the Merrimack River in Haverhill, MA!
This little gal was hanging out at a marina in Haverhill, MA yesterday….15 miles from open ocean! It’s likely that she followed bait fish, and she’s obviously been eating pretty well! She is chunky, bright, alert, and responsive. We have local officials monitoring the area to see if she is spotted again.
This weanling harbor seal in Hampton, despite having some raw tissue around the mouth, was doing pretty well. It’s important to remember to never touch or approach these animals, but to report them to our team instead!
This weanling was in Hampton, and we have marked his back with a paint stock in a distinctive way, so he is easily identified…given the number of seals reports over the last week.
