Mystic Aquarium releases rehabilitated seals in Rhode Island
MYSTIC, Conn. (WWLP) – Mystic Aquarium released six gray seals back into their natural habitat in Westerly, Rhode Island, Tuesday morning following weeks of rehabilitation care.
Aquarium officials stated that these seals were rescued on Block Island between late March and early April when they were found entangled in fishing gear and marine debris. Mystic Aquarium's animal care professionals gave each gray seal individualized treatment within the Animal Rescue Program across the following six to eight weeks.
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Now fully rehabilitated, the seals were brought to Wuskenau Town Beach to be released into the Atlantic Ocean. Mystic Aquarium staff invited staff and volunteers from the Block Island Maritime Institute, as well as New Haven police officers who helped rescue Chappy the seal back in February, to open the kennels and guide the seals into the ocean.
'Releasing these six seals back into their natural habitat in the Atlantic Ocean following nearly two months of rehabilitation is a true testament to Mystic Aquarium's care and compassion for these animals,' said Sarah Callan, Animal Rescue Program Manager at Mystic Aquarium. 'As entanglement cases continue to increase in line with upticks in seal populations, our team cherishes the opportunity to help these animals and strengthen marine ecosystems up and down the East Coast.'
To date in 2025, Mystic's Animal Rescue Program has rescued and rehabilitated 24 seals so far. This program costs $600,000 annually, with expenses such as supplies, medications, salt water for rehab pools, transportation, and other essentials.
Due to recent funding cuts, only two of the seals released on Wednesday were able to be fitted with satellite tags–the last two in the aquarium's current inventory. To learn more or to donate, visit mysticaquarium.org.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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