Seven seal pups got a new lease on life in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove marina this morning.
They were rehabilitated and released by staff at Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.
Dr. Martin Haulena says they rescued 147 pups this year. Forty-five have been released so far. Many more will be released over the next few months.
“They are nice, big, fat and round,” says Haulena. “They have done really well through the program.”
Aquarium staff choose names for the harbour seal patients according to the year’s theme.
For 2014, harbour seals were named after the periodic table of the elements.
One of the seal pups released today, named ‘Oxygen,’ needed a little encouragement to get out of her cage and venture into the wild.
She holds a special place in the heart of Global BC reporter Linda Aylesworth, who was directly involved in her rescue this summer.
“She is not so little anymore,” says Aylesworth. “She has grown a lot since we rescued her. She was maybe a day old when we found her.”
She was separated from her mother for a period of time, even though she still had her umbilical cord attached.
Oxygen was also trying to suckle on objects, meaning she had not eaten in a while.
WATCH: Oxygen’s rescue
Lindsaye Akhurst with the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre says this is her ninth season releasing seals.
“It is always bittersweet, it is nice to see them go and know that your hard work has been put towards something that is great,” says Akhurst.
She says the pupping season is pretty much over for the year, but they still get an occasional injured pup, and are always on alert for what nature brings them.
The aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre has been keeping busy this year.
On top of seals, sea otters, sea lions and porpoises that the aquarium normally cares for, staff had their hands busy caring for a false killer whale calf that was rescued in critical condition near Tofino this summer.
Haulena says Chester takes most of their time.
“It is a lot of extra work for the facility.”
He has now been moved to a larger pool and is showing signs of improvement.
If you see a stranded marine mammal, do not approach it and keep pets away. Please call the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604.258.SEAL (7325) for immediate assistance.
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