Rescuing a Seal Pup on the Seashore

It had already been a busy seal season when Animal Rescue Manager Margot Madden got the call—the third in as many weeks in March. The National Aquarium's Stranding Response Center in Ocean City, Maryland, had taken in a male grey seal found on an Assateague State Park beach with respiratory issues and skin lesions. Senior Veterinarian Bryan Vorbach had already hurried to the Eastern Shore to conduct an initial exam; the results were less than encouraging. The seal had survived his first two nights, but he remained in critical condition and clearly needed more intensive and longer-term care. With that, Margot and Animal Rescue Director Malia Hale mobilized, loaded up the department's vehicle and departed the Animal Care and Rescue Center (ACRC) the next morning.

Arriving in Ocean City a few hours later, they caught up with the Stranding Center team—Response Biologist Maddie Welch, Response Technician Devon Baert and Response Fellow Ellie Bosacoma—who had been monitoring the pup, soon to be nicknamed Boom, as he rested in a large Rubbermaid tub. The team had already collected and sent some urgent samples for testing, and once Margot and Malia arrived, the whole crew wasted no time suiting up to conduct a more thorough exam.

They could tell he was very young, probably close to a month old. His size and light smattering of lanugo (a dense white fur that grey seals typically lose within three weeks of their birth) both indicated that. Another sign of his young age: his vocalizing. His noises and cries aligned with those of grey seals still dependent on their mother. He showed signs of mild dehydration and was malnourished, weighing less than 35 pounds. For comparison, healthy grey seal pups weigh upwards of 85 pounds once they're weaned at two to four weeks of age. He also had discharge from his eyes and nose—fluids the Center's team had sampled first thing to check for viruses like COVID-19 and avian flu, illnesses that would require additional quarantine procedures. Thankfully, the results came back negative across all tests.

Boom appeared to be molting his first coat in reverse. Usually, young pups lose their lanugo first on their flippers and hind limbs. That's because these parts of the body let a healthy seal get rid of excess heat and regulate their temperature. In many malnourished and sick pups, though, lanugo on the flippers is the last to molt as the seal's body tries to retain as much heat for as long as possible.

Margot and Maddie turned their attention to Boom's skin, restraining him as they looked closer at the lesions. In addition to the scrapes, they found he had a lice infestation. This could be treated with an antiparasitic after his system stabilized. In the interim, they turned to good old-fashioned tweezers, picking the lice off one by one to give him some relief.

Treating Boom's dehydration by getting fluids into him was next on the list. Devon measured out Pedialyte, the familiar over-the-counter electrolyte solution, while Maddie and Ellie worked to coax a tube down the seal's throat, making sure to steer clear of his sharp teeth. Once the tube was in, Margot carefully added a little solution at a time and watched to make sure he was tolerating the tube-feeding.

After some more hydration and monitoring, the team left Boom to rest and recover his strength. Tomorrow would be an early day for everyone.

It was still dark outside when the crew wrapped Boom in towels, transferred him to a carrier and loaded him into the Animal Rescue vehicle. His third night at the Stranding Response Center had been uneventful, but the team needed more resources and access to better treatments to give him the best shot at survival.

By 6 a.m., Margot, Malia and a lethargic Boom were underway. Luckily, the journey went smoothly. They rolled into Baltimore just after 9 a.m. and headed right for the ACRC, where more Animal Rescue staff, along with Animal Health veterinarians, were waiting.

Animal Rescue staff and volunteers unloaded Boom's carrier and got him settled in a small rehabilitation suite. Margot and Malia debriefed with Bryan, discussing test results and determining next steps.

The team conducted another checkup to draw additional blood. They also perform an eye exam using yellow fluorescein dye and a special light to detect corneal abrasions and other damage.

After the exam, the team worked on getting Boom some more fluids and calories. Rings of damp fur around his eyes were a good sign that he was more hydrated and producing tears. Staff whipped up a nutrient-rich gruel to feed him via a gastric tube. Once he was fed, they again left him to rest and began drawing up a robust treatment plan.

What's Next for This Seal?

Boom continues to be cared for at the Animal Care and Rescue Center. He has shown some signs of improvement; he's gained weight, his skin lesions are healing, and he's responded to medications. Margot and the team are cautiously optimistic that he'll recover, though they recognize he is not out of the woods yet. They'll be with him every step of the way, treating his symptoms and hopefully teaching him how to swim, dive and catch fish when he's well and old enough to do so. Their goal, as with any rescued seal patient, is to return him to his ocean home as soon as possible.

All National Aquarium stranding response and seal rehabilitation activities are conducted under NOAA permit NMFS SA-GAR-2025-006. The rescue and rehabilitation work undertaken by the Aquarium and partner organizations nationwide needs adequate federal investment to be effective. To help, contact your members of Congress and express support for maintaining or increasing funding for marine mammal stranding networks in the federal budget.