Yesterday, National Aquarium Animal Rescue transported our grey seal patient, Luna, to Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for her release.

We received clearance for Luna’s release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) earlier this week. The best place for our rescue animals is in their natural environments, so we seized the opportunity to release Luna back to her ocean home.

Luna was treated for pneumonia, dehydration, lungworms and lacerations during her time at our Animal Care Center. After nearly four months with our Animal Health and Animal Rescue teams, she fully recovered from these ailments. Luna was removed from all medication for the two weeks prior to her release, which meant she was ready to return to the ocean! 

With Luna’s release, our seal rescue program is now closed for the season. Stay tuned for more animal rescue updates as we approach cold-stun season for sea turtles in the winter months!