Latest news with #AnimalRescueProgram
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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. Second Chance Animal Services seek foster families for pregnant pets 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 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mystic Aquarium released 22 rehabilitated sea turtles back into the wild on Jekyll Island
It is not unusual this time of year for Georgia's beaches to be filled with Spring Breakers from northern states seeking sunshine and warmth, but a special group of travelers arrived from Connecticut last Wednesday. Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Program and its partners at Jekyll Island's Georgia Sea Turtle Center released 22 juvenile sea turtles into the Atlantic Ocean on April 10. The cohort of turtles represented three endangered species—14 green sea turtles, six loggerheads and two critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles—all found washed up and cold-stunned on Cape Cod, Massachusetts last fall when water temperatures in Cape Cod Bay dropped below 50 degrees. Sarah Callan, program manager of Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Program, explained that with climate change, northern waters are experiencing more abrupt rather than gradual drops in temperatures, higher wind conditions and swifter currents. 'Cape Cod Bay is a really unique geographical area, because lots of sea turtles go into the bay to feed, and once that temperature starts to drop, they have to swim north to get back down south to get out of the bay,' said Callan. 'A lot of the smaller turtles—the ones we see are mostly juveniles—don't have the strengths to fight those winds and currents…before the cold snap hits.' As reptiles, the turtles cannot regulate their body temperatures and go into a hypothermic state with slowed heart rates, shallow breathing, confusion, and inability to swim. Marine biologists from the New England Aquarium in Boston triaged the sea turtles, stabilized the ones they could save and transported them two hours to Mystic, Connecticut, where Callan described the slow process of re-elevating each turtles' temperatures into the 70-degree range and gently reintroducing food to allow their systems to acclimate. 'When they first come in, we have little surfboards for them. They're like foam squares that we cut out because many of them are too weak to even swim on their own, but you want to keep them buoyant in the water to some degree and getting their body used to swimming again.' Each turtle's rehabilitation plan was individualized, based on medical tests that looked for underlying infections and other issues. This contingent of 22 turtles representing three different species was historic for the Animal Rescue Program—the largest and most diverse it has handled at one time in its 50-year history of covering more than a thousand miles of coastline in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Fisher's Island, New York. 'The conservation impact that we can have on these wild populations is huge,' said Callan. 'When you think about rehabbing and releasing one sea turtle, that turtle can lay thousands of eggs in its lifetime.' When the turtles were ready for their natural habitat again, Callan said they had to find a suitable release site with the right water temperatures and plenty of food sources. Jekyll Island, just off Brunswick, Georgia proved ideal. Working in partnership with other sea turtle and rescue organizations, Mystic Transportation carried the turtles in temperature-controlled vehicles 20 hours south along the I-95 corridor. Once at Jekyll, biologists and volunteers with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center helped set the turtle bins along the water line. The larger turtles were able to power across the sand with their flippers to catch a wave. The smaller turtles were carried into the water and let go. Salt Life: Tybee Island Marine Science Center to unveil new exhibits that combine art and education Cradle to the Ocean: Sea turtle hatchling heads into the ocean from first nest of the season on Tybee Island Although they have a better chance for survival now, the turtles still face perils beyond being prey for sharks and other large predators, namely getting entangled in fishing line, nets and ropes as well as ingesting plastics, something Callan is seeing more and more of with other sea life such as seals, dolphins and whales. Necropsies provide some of the most valuable information regarding the health of our oceans and waterways. 'There's tons of pollution out there in terms of marine debris,' Callan said, but she recently had two seals test positive for a parasite that affects animals' nervous systems that can be contracted only from opossum feces, which means that parasite is getting into the ocean through runoff into waterways. 'Think about pollutants and the things we spray on our lawns. All the sort of toxins that's going right into the waters, the fish are eating it, and we're essentially ingesting that, too. So, I think that people sometimes just assume we're dealing with the health of animals, but it really is the health of the entire ocean and how that's also affecting people.' Callan cautioned against being overwhelmed, however, noting that more than 40 volunteers helped with the rehabilitation of the 22 sea turtles released last week. 'It's really important that people start to take individual action to help the environment. In the end, that's what's going to make the most difference.' Amy Paige Condon is a content coach, editor and reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at ACondon@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: 22 endangered sea turtles released on Jekyll Island Georgia
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
22 sea turtles rescued from frigid Cape Cod waters released back into the ocean
Almost two dozen sea turtles that washed up on Cape Cod are swimming ocean waters once again after an intense rehabilitation and relocation mission. The cold-stunned sea turtles washed up on the beach in Cape Cod earlier this winter and were first triaged by the New England Aquarium before being transferred to Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Program for long-term rehabilitation care. The turtles then undertook a 20-hour trip from Connecticut to Georgia on Wednesday, where they were released on Jekyll Island. Among the rescued turtles were 14 green sea turtles, six loggerhead sea turtles and two Kemp's ridley sea turtles, a critically endangered species. Sea turtles cannot regulate their body temperatures, aquarium officials told Boston 25 News. Because they cannot regulate their body temperatures, turtles become trapped in Cape Cod Bay each year when the waters turn frigid. Each turtle received an individualized treatment plan to address infections and other medical issues that ensued following their exposure to the cold. 'Our role is to give these sea turtles a second chance at life, improve their chances of long-term survival, and create potential for future hatchlings and growth of the species,' said Sarah Callan, Animal Rescue Program Manager at Mystic Aquarium. 'In their natural habitat, sea turtles face threats of entanglement, ingestion of plastic debris, habitat loss, and a changing ocean environment. With that in mind, a focus of the Animal Rescue Program is being a voice for these animals and providing outreach to the public, knowing that our ultimate goal is the long-term health and sustainability of sea turtle species and marine ecosystems globally.' Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
USA Today
19-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
Baby seal found far from the beach in Connecticut city: 'Lucky' to be rescued
Baby seal found far from the beach in Connecticut city: 'Lucky' to be rescued Show Caption Hide Caption Adorable grey seal pup loses his way, found wandering the street A grey seal pup was spotted wandering the streets of New Haven. He's being cared for by Mystic Aquarium staff and will be released back to the wild. A lost baby seal that was found wandering the streets of a Connecticut city over the weekend is safe and recovering, police said Tuesday. The baby male gray seal was discovered Sunday near the downtown of New Haven, Connecticut, Officer Christian Bruckhart told USA TODAY in an email. Although the seal was far from its natural habitat, he was only several blocks away from some of the most famous pizza spots in the city. "We assumed he was here to try the clam pizza but I can't confirm that, we're just happy he's safe," Bruckhart said. Police officers had received a call at around 2:20 p.m. about a possibly injured seal pup, according to Bruckhart. Officers stayed with the seal until he was transferred to the Mystic Aquarium, a marine aquarium about 55 miles east of downtown New Haven, for rehabilitation. Animal Rescue Program professionals took the seal to the aquarium with support from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the New Haven Police Department. After checking in with the aquarium on Monday, Bruckhart reported that the seal was "recuperating." Officers also visited him Tuesday at the aquarium, Bruckhart said. "Mystic Aquarium is pleased to have rescued this misdirected young seal in need of help, and looks forward to hopefully returning the seal back to the ocean in the months ahead," Dr. Allison Tuttle, Mystic Aquarium's Chief Zoological Officer, said in a news release. "We are proud to provide marine mammal response, rescue, and rehabilitation for the state of Connecticut, and help marine animals in need." Baby seal was 'lucky' to have been rescued, Mystic Aquarium says The male seal, estimated to be only a few weeks old, is believed to have wandered a nearby beach to a 'potentially dangerous situation' on the streets of New Haven, according to the Mystic Aquarium. But it wasn't the first time the seal had been spotted in the city, WTNH reported. Mystic Aquarium animal rescue technician Francesca Battaglia told the television station that the seal was seen in Branford, a shoreline town just southeast of New Haven, last week. And on Saturday, he was discovered next to Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill on the waterfront in New Haven, according to WTNH. "We're like, he's still bright and alert and looking good," Battaglia told WTNH. "Maybe we can just relocate him to a safe beach, and so our team did do that. But then, unfortunately, the next day, he showed back up in the middle of the city there." Battaglia said it's likely the seal was initially following his "natural instincts" before he became lost, according to WTNH and NBC Connecticut. Battaglia told NBC Connecticut that while seals move up the beach, they typically don't venture far into the city. The veterinary team at the aquarium's clinic found that the seal was lethargic and dehydrated when he was admitted, according to the aquarium. He weighed just 28 pounds, less than the 35 pounds newborn gray seals typically weigh. The seal was 'lucky' to have been rescued, the aquarium said. Newborn seals will usually nurse on high fat milk for three weeks. The clinic has started him on fluid therapy and an individualized treatment plan. They will feed him a dilute fish formula that will provide him with the nutrition he needs to 'heal and grow.' 'The goal for this seal, along with every other rescued marine mammal and sea turtle patient, is to release the seal back to its ocean home once he is healthy and strong,' the aquarium said. What are gray seals? Gray seals are 'true seals' with short flippers and no external ear flaps, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As adults, they can weigh up to 880 pounds and be up to 10 feet long. The species are found in coastal waters throughout the North Atlantic Ocean and are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the NOAA said. They can be found on rocky coasts, islands, sandbars, ice shelves and icebergs. The NOAA estimates that there are about 450,000 gray seals in Canada and U.S. waters. "Gray seals gather in large groups during the mating/pupping and molting seasons," according to the NOAA. "Outside of this, they often share their habitat with harbor seals ... During the rest of the year, they can be found alone, in small groups or at large aggregations either on land or at sea." Graphics: As Florida experiences cold snaps, manatees migrate to warmer areas to avoid 'cold stress' 'Not uncommon' for marine mammals to be rescued in urban areas Thousands of stranded marine animals are reported to stranding networks each year, according to the NOAA. The National Marine Mammal Stranding Network consists of 100 organizations that work with NOAA Fisheries to respond to marine mammal strandings, such as seals and sea lions. The NOAA said "sporadic strandings of individual animals" are common in many areas while stranding events involving a larger number of animals are less frequent. "It's not uncommon for trained marine mammal response organizations in NOAA's West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network (Washington, Oregon and California) to rescue seals, sea lions, sea otters in more urban environments like coastal roadways, ports and harbor areas, state parks, etc. that border waterways," Giancarlo Rulli, associate public relations director for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, told USA TODAY in an email. Rulli noted that the majority of marine mammals rescued are on publicly accessed beaches and are reported by the public. If a stranded marine animal is spotted, the NOAA advises the public to not approach it and try to keep other people and pets from disturbing it. People should then call their local stranding network and wait for an authorized responder to arrive, according to the NOAA. "The public is critical in reporting marine mammals in distress and providing them a safe space on the beach (a minimum of 50 yards for seals, sea lions and otters)," Rulli added.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Watch: Baby seal rescued after wandering streets of Connecticut city
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A gray seal pup was found moseying through the streets of New Haven, Connecticut, over the weekend. Officers with the New Haven Police Department shared a video of the pup as he lay in the snow and reached toward a gloved hand with his snout. "Hello!" a voice could be heard saying from off-camera. "You are so precious!" The pup was rescued by the Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Program, which admitted the seal into the aquarium's Animal Rescue Clinic. Aquarium officials said the seal, estimated to be only a few weeks old, received an exam and was found to be lethargic and dehydrated. He was also emaciated, weighing only 28 pounds. For comparison, gray seals are usually born weighing about 35 pounds, but after nursing on high-fat milk for the first 3 weeks of their lives, they end up weighing around 100 pounds, according to the Mystic Aquarium. See It: Injured Seal Pup Attacked By Shark Found On New Jersey Beach Officials noted Monday that the seal had started fluid therapy and an individualized treatment plan. He will then be fed a dilute fish formula to help him regain his strength. Once he is fully recovered, he will be returned to the ocean. "Mystic Aquarium is pleased to have rescued this misdirected young seal in need of help, and looks forward to hopefully returning the seal back to the ocean in the months ahead," said Dr. Allison Tuttle, Mystic Aquarium's Chief Zoological Officer. "We are proud to provide marine mammal response, rescue and rehabilitation for the state of Connecticut, and help marine animals in need." Aquarium officials noted that, while the pup's presence in the city was very unusual, it is normal for younger gray seals to venture inland. For example, they may go into sand dunes to escape the elements, such as high winds, along the shore. "When you think about how much we have developed the shoreline, cases like this aren't as surprising when thinking about typical behaviors for these species," Mystic Aquarium officials said. How To Watch Fox Weather They added that the pup being alone also isn't unusual, as gray seal mothers typically leave their pups after they are done nursing during those first few weeks. At that time, the pups are fully equipped to survive on their own while they learn to hunt. Gray seals are found along the New England and mid-Atlantic coastlines, according to Noaa. The animals are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection article source: Watch: Baby seal rescued after wandering streets of Connecticut city
