Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center Transports Blind Seal to New Home at Rio Grande Zoo
 
A seven-month-old blind female harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), which was rehabilitated at University of New England’s Marine
#21 shortly after her arrival at UNE.
#21 shortly after her arrival at UNE.
Animal Rehabilitation Center, was transported by airplane to the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 3, 2004.

The seal was accompanied on her journey by two attendants, animal caretaker Erika Gebhard and veterinarian Gerard Beekman, D.V.M. The day after her arrival, she was eating and swimming in her own pool.
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#21 being prepared for her journey to the Rio Grande Zoo.

The seal (known as MARC-03-021-Pv or #21) was stranded in Hull, Massachusetts on Nantasket Beach on November 29, 2003 and was rescued by the New England Aquarium Marine Animal Rescue Team. After a short stop at the Aquarium for initial stabilization and examination, #21 was transferred to the UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center to begin her road to recovery.

#21 was the unfortunate victim of human interaction, suffering from wounds caused by a shotgun. Pellets were found imbedded in the back of her head and left eye. This unfortunate incident caused this seal to be blinded for life. The blindness and the fact that she could not find live fish in the rehabilitation pool meant that #21 was unable to be returned to the wild.

#21 in her new pool at the Rio Grande Zoo.
#21 in her new pool at the Rio Grande Zoo.
Due to her injury there were only two choices for #21's future: euthanasia or placement in an accredited zoo or aquarium. Euthanasia, was not a choice MARC staff members were willing to take - that left placement. With that decision, the animal care staff at MARC started to train #21 for some basic commands that would allow her future handlers the ability to freely examine her eyes on a daily basis.

After much searching for the correct place, the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico graciously agreed to take #21 into their family. Successfully completing an acclimation process, she has joined five California sea lions, two grey seals, and four harbor seals in a 350,000-gallon exhibit complete with rocks, grottos and sandy beaches. She will even has her own personal trainer. We will keep you updated on her progress.

   
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