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Rescue & Rehab JournalFemale
PV1501 - SilkyPacific Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
2015
On the Mud FlatsMay, 4th 2015
On April 24, a citizen of Homer, AK found a young seal pup on the mud flats. The pup had been bothered by nearby eagles, as two punctures on her head suggested. She also had a thick white coat of fur, indicating she was born prematurely. Based on her condition and with no other seals in the area, the pup would likely not survive without intervention. The Alaska SeaLife Center's Wildlife Response Team brought the pup back to Seward for rehabilitation. It's a Girl!May, 4th 2015
The pup had a full veterinary exam after arriving at ASLC. Staff decided to name this little girl Silky, because of her soft lanugo coat. The vet staff created a treatment plan for her, which includes a round of antibiotics to fight off any infection of her fleshy umbilicus or from her puncture wounds. Vet CheckMay, 4th 2015
May 2 - Today Silky had a check-up to see how her wounds and umbilicus are looking. They both are closing up and healing nicely. She is done with her round of antibiotics. Swim time fun!May, 6th 2015
Silky is strong enough to begin swimming in a shallow pool. She has been very active, and seems to enjoy her swim times. Growing Up FastMay, 11th 2015
Silky has been consistenty gaining weight, and has grown in her teeth! She is also slowly losing her white lanugo coat. At over two weeks old, she will soon be transitioned to a fish based gruel to prepare her digestive system for whole fish when she weans. A new lookMay, 17th 2015
Silky has recently shed the last of her white lanugo coat, revealing her own uniquely beautiful spotted pattern! Fish schoolJune, 8th 2015
Staff members have observed Silky tracking and killing live fish!! This is great step towards her learning to eat on her own! Growing up fastJune, 19th 2015
Silky has been eating fish great on her own!! She is maintaining her temperature well and can haul out of her pool on her own CompetitionJuly, 9th 2015
Silky is doing great and is ready for the graduation pool!! A flipper tag has been placed between the webbing of her hind flipper for identification purposes and she was moved in with another seal from her region. Now she will be able to learn the necessary skills of competing for fish and socializing with other animals. This pool is much deeper and has a fish cannon that allows staff to feed from outside of the pool so fish is not associated with humans. Ready for release!September, 25th 2015
Silky had her pre-release health exam by Veterinarians. All of her blood levels looked great and physically she looks to be in great condition. She will be released soon! Release daySeptember, 29th 2015
Today is the big day! Silky is now at a weight of 19kg! She will be brought to Homer (where she was rescued) for her release!! A huge thank you to the Homer Stranding Network Volunteers for making her rescue and therefore her release a success.
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