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Cape Ann Seal Rescue – April 2002
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Whale Center Staff Aids Harp Seal
On Monday April 1st, we had the opportunity to help a young harp seal find its way out of a marshy area in Gloucester, MA. The one-year old harp seal followed a tidal creek into a marsh that is about three miles from open water. In order to get back out, the seal would have had to swim back through the winding stream and under a bridge in order to reach a river, and then follow the river out to the ocean! Although the seal looked very healthy, it was in the marsh for three days, so we feared it could not find its way out again.
 We approached the seal carefully with a kennel and three crowding boards. Crowding boards are used to guide the seal into the kennel for transport. Harp seals, when threatened, often freeze, which makes them easier to gather in a blanket and put in the kennel. The seal saw us coming, looked in both directions and, realizing there was nowhere to go, rolled upside down and froze. It went so still that we were even concerned. It did not revive until it was already in the kennel and well on its way to its new destination!
 We loaded the seal onto our newly acquired marine mammal rescue truck, and headed for a beach that was quiet and very near to open water. During the trip, the seal started to revive and move around in the kennel, anxiously awaiting its release. We arrived at the beach and brought the kennel down towards the water. As soon as we opened the door and stood back the seal, hesitantly at first, ventured out into the sunlight. Once it realized that it was within reach of the water, it took off at a fast pace (which is pretty slow for a seal!) towards the waves. In about five minutes, it was swimming freely, heading for deeper water.
 It is always a difficult decision whether to capture a seal, potentially stressing it, or to leave it in its natural environment to fend for itself. This seal was no different. Right up until the moment we released it, we had doubts. Seeing it flee so quickly towards open water and swim away showed us that we had made the right choice.
 Harp seals are usually found on the arctic ice in Newfoundland and Greenland. Hooded seals, another ice-dwelling species, can also be found in New England waters during the winter as well. During the winter, young animals often travel long distances to escape the harsh winter conditions where they were born.
 After traveling so far, many are tired and need to rest; some become ill and never get to make the trip back. However, if you find a seal on a beach or rocky shoreline, do not attempt to move it or feed it. Most of the time they are fine, and require no help. If you feel a seal is in need of immediate help, contact local experts, such as staff of the Whale Center or the New England Aquarium.
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