Alaska SeaLife Center Admits First Two Harbor Seal Pups of 2022 Season June 13, 2022
Alaska SeaLife Center Admits First Two Harbor Seal Pups of 2022 Season
The two pups were found abandoned on a beach in Kasilof, Alaska
Seward, Alaska (June 13, 2022)– The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted two newborn harbor seal pups to the Wildlife Response Program on June 2, 2022.
The ASLC Wildlife Response team received a call on the 24-hour stranding hotline (1-888-774-7325) reporting an abandoned and skinny harbor pup seal on the beach in Kasilof, Alaska. Based on the female pup’s emaciated body condition, the team decided she needed immediate help. While the team was preparing to pick up this pup, the original caller from Kasilof spotted an additional seal pup on the beach, this one a male. This pup was also abandoned and in poor body condition. After receiving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration approval, both pups were transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center for treatment.
The main concerns of the veterinary team upon the initial admit exam of the female pup are malnourishment, dehydration, and lethargy. An x-ray showed that the female pup had ingested rocks. She was found with her umbilical cord still attached, leading the ASLC team to believe she was less than 48 hours old when admitted.
The male pup also still had his umbilical cord attached. The main concerns of the veterinary team upon his initial admit exam are malnourishment and dehydration.
The team is currently providing initial stabilizing treatments and examining both patients further to understand the severity of the animals’ conditions. Follow the ASLC on Facebook and Instagram for continuing updates on the seal pups.
The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can provide care for animals like these seal pups because of donations from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of this patient here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from companies like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, GCI, and a number of individual donors.
Call 1-888-774-SEAL(7325) if you see any marine mammal in distress in Alaska.