A big thank you to the Alaska State Troopers in Cordova for providing the pup's transportation from Softuk Bay to the airport in Cordova! The young seal arrived safely to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward today. A veterinary assessment shows that the male pup is dehydrated, but otherwise seems healthy. He is less than one week old. 

The seal pup is eating fish! Over the past few days his interest has steadily increased, and today he ate everything offered. Staff will transition him onto an all herring diet over the next day or so.

A lot has happened over the last couple of weeks! Vesuvius had a blood draw to ensure that he is completely healthy, was given a flipper tag in preparation for his release, and moved to a larger pool with Machu Picchu, where staff plan to have Everest and Tigris join them soon! His flipper tag is in his Left rear flipper because he is a male, and is #ASLC 130. 

Vesuvius reached release weight this week! He now weighs 26.7kg, and the goal release weight is 25 kg, so staff will begin to plan for his release next month!

It was an absolutely beautiful day today in Cordova, and Vesuvius was eager to get in the water. As soon as his kennel door was open he was gone, though Stonehenge beat him to the water! Good luck in the wild Vesuvius!!