5-21-10: Jitters was found on a beach at the Port of Anchorage. Thanks to Port of Anchorage staff for observing Jitters and assisting with his rescue.
5-23-10: Jitters is being treated for dehydration and emaciation. He's getting SQ fluids, as well as oral fluids with his fish formula. He has also started on a regimen of antibiotics to fight of an umbilical infection.
5-26-10: Jitters is showing improvement, and has been moved outside to the condos during the day. The rehabilitation interns and staff that work with him report he is becoming very feisty!
5-28-10: Jitters finished his round of antibiotics, and his blood work came back normal.
6-4-10: Jitters is now outside in his condo full time.
6-9-10: Jitters is starting fish school today!
6-11-10: Jitters has shown a slight interest in fish, but isn't quite sure what to do with them yet. He will continue to be tube fed fish formula until he starts eating fish.
6-19-10: Those who work closely with Jitters noticed he wasn't acting quite right today. His temperature was high, indicating a possible infection. Bloodwork confirmed that he does have and infection, and he was prescribed antibiotics.
6-21-10: Jitters is being closely monitored, and fish school will be put on hold until he's feeling better.
6-25-10: Blood work shows that Jitters' infection is clearing up, but he will remain on antibiotics for another week.
6-26-10: Jitters started fish school again, and with the help of live fish he is tracking and eating them!
6-30-10: Jitters has been moved into a larger pool where he gets unlimited water access.
7-6-10: Since Jitters started eating fish, he has been putting on weight quickly.
7-12-10: Jitters is now being fed only four times per day. His feeds are at random, mirroring a more likely situation in the wild.
7-15-10: Today Jitters' bloodwork revealed that he is clear of infection! With a clean bill of health, Jitters was given a flipper tag and moved to the pre-release pool to compete for fish with the other seals.
7-22-10: Jitters is competing well for fish and gaining weight steadily.
8-12-10: Jitters is thriving in the pre-release pool with Dunkin and Chai. Today he had a thorough veterinary exam to make sure he is in good health. Rehabilitation staff is hopeful that he will be released in a few weeks.
9-1-10: Jitters' release date has been set! As long as his final bloodwork is normal, he will be released in Nikiski on September 9. Jitters will be fitted with a satellite tag so we can follow his progress for the next 3-8 months.
