Rescued Seal Pup on a Good Path to Recovery

The young female seal pup rescued from Cherry Grove enjoyed her first meal of fish Wednesday, which is a healthy sign she’s recovering from her stranding experience on Fire Island, according to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.

The wounds on the pup’s flippers and back are starting to heal, said Kimberly Durham, rescue program director, and while that’s good news it makes it difficult to figure out how she got hurt and stranded on a boardwalk. The pup was found by a homeowner at the Fire Island community Monday and rescued by the organization on Tuesday.

“We are uncertain of the origin of the wounds.  They have begun to heal which makes assessment harder to determine,” said Durham, adding the pup also needs to gain some weight.

The average recovery stay for stranded seals is between a month to six weeks but it very case dependent, explained Durham.

Once healthy she will likely be released at the Hampton Bays, Shinnecock inlet and those releases are public events and are a great family event, said Durham.

“We have an animal adoption program where the public can help with the medication care and food costs for animals under our care,” said Durham.

Residents who discover stranded mammals are asked to call the program’s hotline number at (631) 369-9829. Readers can also learn about what to do and not to do if they discover a seal or other mammal on land by checking out this guideline.

The young seal hasn’t been named yet but this year the theme is Disney characters.

So Patch wants to know what name readers would you suggest. Patch was thinking Arielle might be the most appropriate! Share your name ideas below.