Hog Island News: Baby Harbor Seal Rescue

Today a baby seal was rescued from the shores of Hog Island within earshot of the osprey nest. Only about two feet long, the baby harbor seal was noticed yesterday morning, trying to suckle against our staff dock. Marine Mammals of Maine was informed- and we were told that the policy is to wait 24 hrs before attempting a rescue in case the parent returns.

It’s possible some of you late-nighters actually heard the tiny babe begging for its mother through the chilly dark hours. By morning, the MMoME rescue arrived and persuaded the seal to come within range of capture.

Linda, from MMoME determined that the baby was female of about 5 days old and was only just starting to grow in teeth. The umbilical cord still had not fallen off the seal’s plushy belly. Once the seal makes it back to the rehab center she will be fed and cared for; and the process will be a long one.

First she will be suckled for nearly a month then weaned and fed raw fish. Eventually the rehab staff will teach her how to eat live fish and she will be given daily opportunities to practice swimming. The whole process from intake to release can take nearly three months.

Maine has as much coastline as California, and yet Marine Mammals of Maine is the only non-profit rescue center on call for porpoise, seal, or whale rescue. Our Hog Island baby seal is the ninth seal that the MMoME has taken in this spring, and they only have one slot open for future rescues. This is their busy season and they are run by an all volunteer staff.

Thank you MMoME for all of your help today! We know our baby seal is in good hands.

You can learn more about the Marine Mammals of Maine by visiting mmome.org

Photos Courtesy of Janine Parziale