Beached harbor seal rescued in Mantoloking

MANTOLOKING — An injured harbor seal is “resting comfortably” after being rescued from the beach in Mantoloking, according to the nonprofit Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine.

According to MMSC, after being reported, the young female seal was found by rescuers on the beach with injuries to its rear flippers and left eye.

“On Monday, Dec. 30, we received a report of an injured seal lying on the beach in Mantoloking,” announced MMSC on its website Jan. 2. “When our stranding team arrived, they found an underweight female harbor seal suffering from swelling in her left rear flipper, abrasions on her right rear flipper and an injured left eye.”

The center said that the juvenile seal has been treated for its flipper and eye injuries and is recovering at the center’s pool house.

“The approximately two-year-old seal was likely born in the spring of 2023,” the center said. “She was immediately transported to MMSC for medical treatment and supportive care. Upon her arrival, staff administered fluids and flushed out her wounds. MMSC’s veterinarian performed a full medical examination including bloodwork for further diagnostics. Oral medications and antibiotic eye drops have been started to prevent infection of her wounds.”

“The subadult seal, who weighed 80 pounds at intake, is resting comfortably in Pen 1 of the pool house. She is currently being assist-fed by the stranding technicians,” said MMSC.

For more information about the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, visit mmsc.org.

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