The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted two more harbor seal pups into their Wildlife Response Program within just a day of each other, raising the total number of patients to six. 

On June 22, a female pup from Port Moller on the Alaska Peninsula was transported to the Center. The seal (pictured in this release) was found near the town by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The pup was monitored for a few days, but since it was so close to town, more people began investigating it. After receiving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approval the pup was picked up. Lake Clark Air graciously donated a flight for the seal after already donating a flight for a pup the previous week. Upon the initial admit exam, the main concerns of the veterinary team include low body weight, dehydration, and a puncture wound on her flipper, likely from some type of predator. The team is currently providing initial stabilizing treatments and examining the patient further to understand the severity of the animal’s condition. 

On June 23, another harbor seal pup was spotted by NOAA officials intermittently showing up on a beach in Juneau. It appeared to be very underweight with no other seals in the area. The animal just arrived to the Center and the veterinary team is still doing preliminary examinations. Updates will be provided after further treatment.

The harbor seal pups that have already been admitted in the Center’s Wildlife Response Program are all in various stages of recovery. The male pup found in Seward on May 27 presented with neurological issues and vision impairment likely from a difficult birth. The team is impressed with how far he has progressed, but he continues to display neurological challenges that will likely never resolve. For this reason, the team believes he may not be releasable since these challenges will put him at a significant disadvantage in the wild. 

The male pup found in Port Moller on June 15 is still in critical care. He arrived severely underweight and consequently is still very weak from malnourishment. While he is not strong enough to swim on his own, the team is cautiously optimistic that he will gain the weight and strength he needs. The two other seals, one from the Little Susitna River and one from Anchor Point, are progressing more quickly. They are now in outdoor holding areas with their own pools and graduating from re-hydrating liquids to fish formula and even some whole fish. 

The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can provide care for animals like these seals because of donations from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of these seal patients here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of companies like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, PetZoo, Borman Family Foundation, GCI, Partners4Wildlife, Sea Otter Foundation & Trust, and Grizzly Pet Products. 

About ASLC 

Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a 501(c)(3), non-profit research institution and public aquarium in Seward, Alaska. The Center generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.