Seal saved by the sea shore
A young grey seal near Three Trees on Ocean Point. Below: Waldman and the seal survey each other, and Waldman, left, tries to coax the seal into a crate with a blanket with the help of a volunteer. Courtesy of Sue Goodrich
Waldman and the seal survey each other. Courtesy of Sue Goodrich
Waldman, left, tries to coax the seal into a crate with a blanket with the help of a volunteer. Courtesy of Sue Goodrich
A young grey seal near Three Trees on Ocean Point. Below: Waldman and the seal survey each other, and Waldman, left, tries to coax the seal into a crate with a blanket with the help of a volunteer. Courtesy of Sue Goodrich
Waldman and the seal survey each other. Courtesy of Sue Goodrich
Waldman, left, tries to coax the seal into a crate with a blanket with the help of a volunteer. Courtesy of Sue Goodrich
A unique visitor to the Boothbay region was sent off with a little help from her friends.
On Wednesday, April 3, several passersby noticed a young seal stranded on the rocks near Three Trees on Ocean Point and called Pat and John Waldman.
With the help of volunteers, the Waldmans were able to get the seal off the rocks and en route to medical care.
Pat Waldman said the seal was about 3 months old and weighed approximately 100 pounds. When fully grown, grey seals can reach weights in excess of 600 pounds.
Despite her size, the young seal went quietly into a dog crate.
“We actually got her to go into the cage by herself,” she said. “They held the blanket up behind her and she went right in.”
From a rocky section of beach on Ocean Point, the seal will make its way to the University of New England in Biddeford.
The seal was on the rocks as high tide was coming in. The group had to act quickly to get the seal out of harm's way. It was lethargic and struggled to move, so John Waldman had to try and coax the seal into the crate.
But, almost as if it knew the stakes, the young seal scrambled into a large dog crate.
Grey seals, unlike harbor seals, are aggressive. While the volunteers and the Waldmans loaded the seal into the crate, it bared its teeth.
Grey seals aren't as common along the Midcoast as harbor seals. Instead, they are typically found off the coast of Canada near Sable Island.
Waldman said the young seal had an obvious eye infection and appeared to be worse for wear from her time on the beach. But, she was trucked to the University of New England's campus where she will be treated and rehabilitated.
John Waldman said that in a typical year, approximately five or six seals will wash ashore in the region. Most of those happen in the late spring months as pups and weanlings take to the water.
Anyone who encounters a seal is advised to call the seal rescue team. It is illegal to touch or interfere with a seal or any other wildlife that washes ashore. If an animal is found on a beach, call 1-800-532-9551.
Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen
Event Date
Address
United States
