On September 19, 2000 Dr. Bob Small, Marine
Mammal Coordinator with the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, found a young female ringed seal, during a cruise
on the research vessel Last Frontier in Bristol Bay. Dr.
Small and his crew noticed the ringed seal hauled out with
a group of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Ringed seals usually
spend summer months further north and they are not normally
social with harbor seals. The crew noticed several hairless
patches on her back, abdomen and hind flippers. They contacted
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Alaska
SeaLife Center (ASLC) and then brought her aboard the vessel
to transport her to the ASLC rehabilitation department.
The ringed seal, Lacy, was placed in quarantine
at ASLC and given a physical exam. The hairless patches
were examined. A skin biopsy and fungal test were performed
and a blubber sample was taken to measure potential contaminant
levels. Blood samples were taken to obtain a complete blood
cell count, serum chemistries, thyroid hormone levels and
heavy metals. After the examination, it was determined that
Lacy was suffering from a fungal infection known as dermatomycosis
(ringworm). She was placed on oral anti-fungal medication
and bathed in betadine, which was effective against the
fungus.
After
Lacy was declared fungus free, she was placed in an outdoor
pool where she stretched her flippers until the time of
her release. On Monday, December 18, a satellite transmitter
was glued to the fur of Lacy's back. By placing a satellite
tag on Lacy, rehabilitation staff and researchers could
follow her movements for a few months. They were interested
in learning more about ringed seal diving habits, feeding
habits and migration patterns.
Lacy was flown to Egegik, Alaska on Wednesday,
December 21,st accompanied by ASLC staff members Dr. Natalie
Noll, and Jim Pfeiffenberger. Lacy was flown to Egegik Beach
on the Alaska Peninsula. After spending 2 1/2 months in
the Alaska SeaLife Center's rehabilitation department it
was time for Lacy to return to the sea.
