On Block Island, Rhode Island, the Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Team is facing an unprecedented rise in cases of entangled seals. Program manager Sarah Callan reports that 20 gray seals have been reported entangled so far this year, significantly more than usual. These seals can weigh over 800 pounds, and items like fishing gear, trash, or balloons can endanger their lives by tightening around their necks as they grow. This alarming spike in entanglements prompted a collaborative effort with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and Block Island Maritime Institute.
While monitoring a group of seal pups, the team employed a swift strategy to separate an entangled pup from the group. They crawled carefully before making a quick dash with red boards to capture the distressed seal. Once secured, the team took blood samples, affixed a tracker, and cut the pup free from the fishing net restricting its neck. Callan emphasized the importance of timely interventions to avoid the need for rehabilitation.
The team’s commitment is underscored by a previous encounter with a stranded seal pup named “Chappy,” who sadly passed away due to gastrointestinal issues that revealed plastic in his stomach. This incident highlights the severe threat that marine debris, particularly plastics, poses to marine life, with estimates indicating over 100,000 marine mammals dying annually from plastic pollution.
Callan expressed concern about the increasing interactions between young seals and human-made materials, linking it to broader ocean health issues. Despite these challenges, the team celebrates each successful rescue, relishing the chance to give marine animals a second chance at life, underscoring their dedication to conservation and public education.
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