Against All Odds: Rescued Seals' Journey Back to the Ocean

Rescued Gray Seals Return to the Ocean After Rehabilitation A group of gray seals in Rhode Island recently made a triumphant return to their ocean home after a period of rehabilitation. These seals, rescued in March and April near Block Island, had become entangled in fishing gear and other debris. The rescue and rehabilitation were undertaken by the dedicated team at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Sarah Callan, Animal Rescue Program Manager at Mystic Aquarium, shared insights into the challenges faced by these animals. "It's so important to protect this species," she stated, emphasizing the near decimation of gray seal populations prior to the 1970s. Callan's team spent weeks treating the seals' severe, infected wounds with antibiotics. Before their release, researchers fitted the seals with tracking devices. This will provide valuable real-time data on their location, diving depths, and time spent at each depth. Callan explained, "Those tags are going to give us really great real-time data about the animals' location, how deep they're diving, and then how long they spend at each depth." This data is crucial for ongoing conservation efforts. The video also highlights the significant threat posed by marine pollution, particularly plastic debris, to seals and other marine mammals worldwide. The release of these rehabilitated seals serves as a powerful symbol of hope and the importance of continued conservation efforts to protect these vital members of the ocean ecosystem.