Rescued Gray Seals Released Back into the Atlantic After Rehabilitation

Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation

• 🌊 A group of gray seals was released back into the Atlantic Ocean in Westerly, Rhode Island, after being rescued and rehabilitated.
• 🎯 The seals were rescued during March and April from waters near Block Island, Rhode Island, where they had become entangled in fishing gear and other debris.
• 🏥 The animal rescue program at Mystic Aquarium spent weeks nursing the seals back to health, treating severe, infected wounds with antibiotics.

Threats to Marine Mammals

• ⚠️ Sea litter, much of it plastic, is identified as a growing threat to seals and other marine mammals globally.
• 🚫 Nearly 100,000 marine mammals are killed or injured annually after becoming ensnared in discarded plastic, including items like frisbees.
• 🐟 Seals can also ingest plastic, posing various threats to their health and survival.

Importance of Seals in Ecosystems

• 📍 The rescued seals were fitted with tags to provide real-time data on their location, diving depth, and duration at each depth.
• 🤿 Gray seals are capable of skin diving up to 1,000 feet and holding their breath for up to 90 minutes.
• 🌱 Seals play a vital role in nourishing the ocean by spreading nutrients and are considered a vital part of the environment.

Ongoing Conservation Efforts

• 🌍 In addition to marine pollution, habitat loss and climate change also threaten the future of seals.
• 🤝 Organizations like Mystic Aquarium are committed to continuing their work to help seals and other marine animals as long as they are needed.