5-20-10: Grande got himself tangled in a fishing net, and was pulled on board the fishing vessel. After the Alaska SeaLife Center's stranding department was contacted, Cliff Ward helped care for Grande. With the additional assistance of Ken Hill, DVM, and a flight donated by Era Aviation, Grande was transported to Anchorage and picked up by our rehabilitation staff the next day.
5-21-10: Grande's hind flippers were found to be swollen. Upon his admit exam, he also began to exhibit rapid eye movements and vomiting. He was given medication and IV fluids to help stabilize him. He is estimated to be just two days old.
5-23-10: Grande has been closely monitored over the past two days, and seems to be stable. He is on antibiotics and still needs to be given additional fluids subcutaneously (beneath the skin), but has shown continuous improvement since his admit.
5-26-10: Grande spent some time outside in the condo area today, and is allowed supervised swim time before each feed. The swelling in his flippers has decreased.
5-31-10: Grande has graduated to fish formula!
6-3-10: The interns and staff that care for Grande have noticed a green discharge from his eyes, suggesting a potential infection. He is now receiving medicated eye drops three times a day.
6-9-10: Grande is starting fish school today!
6-11-10: Grande is very curious about the fish in his pool, but he hasn't figured out that he's supposed to eat them yet. He will continue to be tube fed fish formula until he starts eating fish.
6-14-10: Although he's shown a minor improvement, Grande's eyes still haven't cleared up. He had blood drawn this morning - lab work will show if he has an infection.
6-20-10: Grande continues to gain weight, but is making slow progress with his fish schooling.
6-24-10: Grande is introduced to live fish in order to stimulate his instinct to track and eat them. He is showing a little more interest in the live fish.
6-26-10: Grande has clear eyes, and is done with his eye medication.
7-6-10: Grande is still struggling to eat fish on his own. Staff and interns continue to minimize contact so he can focus on his fish.
7-11-10: Grande has made a small breakthrough in his fish schooling, and is one step closer to eating on his own.
7-20-10: Grande continues to make small steps forward, but is still struggling to catch fish and eat them.
8-1-10: Today Dunkin joined Grande, in the hopes that Grande will learn to eat from example.
8-2-10: Grande is not interested in eating in the pool with Dunkin. Rehabilitation staff continue to try new feeding methods.
8-12-10: Grande has been eating well with the help of his caretakers. He is now gaining weight steadily.
8-16-10: Today's the day! Grande surprised everyone by eating and foraging in the pool all by himself!
8-22-10: Kona has moved into a pool near Grande's. This will help Grande to socialize with other seals instead of people.
8-26-10: Grande has spent the past two days competing for fish with Arabica. He did a great job getting his share of fish!
9-3-10: Grande has been gaining weight very quickly. He now shares a pre-release pool with Dunkin. They will be released together within a few weeks.
9-6-10: Even though Grande is much smaller than Dunkin, he's proven to be very competetive when it comes to catching fish.
