University of New England

UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center
releases seven seals

BIDDEFORD, Maine - The University of New England's Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (MARC) on March 30, 2008 released two hooded seals and five harp seals that were rehabilitated at the center.

MARC is a unit of UNE's Marine Science Education and Research Center.

The release took place at Granite Point in Biddeford. The seven seals listed by their identification numbers are:

MARC 08-018Cc Hooded Seal - (Cystophora cristata)
Arrival Date:  February 8, 2008
Stranded at:  Ferry Beach, Scarborough, Maine
Rescued by:  Maine DMR
Gender & Age:  Female, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  66 lbs. (30.0 kg)
Straight Length: 91 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:  Emaciated, lethargic, alopecia (stress molt/loss of hair), bacterial infection

MARC 08-019Cc Hooded Seal

MARC 08-019Cc Hooded Seal - (Cystophora cristata)
Arrival Date:  February 9, 2008
Stranded at:  Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, Maine
Rescued by:  Maine DMR
Gender & Age:  Male, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  79 lbs. (35.9 kg)
Straight Length:  108.0 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:  Emaciated, lethargic, hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium, severe dehydration)

MARC 08-020 Pg Harp Seal ( Phoca groenlandica)
Arrival Date:  February 12, 2008
Stranded at:  Colony Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine
Rescued by:  Maine DMR
Gender & Age:  Male, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  56 lbs. (22.5 kg)
Straight Length: 104.0 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:  Hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium, severe dehydration),
minor wounds and alopecia (hair loss/molting)

MARC 08-021 Pg Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica)
Arrival Date:  February 17, 2008
Stranded at:  Sorrento, Maine
Rescued by:  College of the Atlantic
Gender & Age:  Female, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  70 lbs. (28.0 kg)
Straight Length:  108.0 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:   Hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium, severe dehydration), underweight, parasites

MARC 08-022 Pg Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica)
Arrival Date:  February 19, 2008
Stranded at:  Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, Maine
Rescued by:  Maine DMR
Gender & Age:  Female, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  67 lbs. (26.7 kg)
Straight Length:  115.0 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:  Hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium, severe dehydration), laceration on lower jaw, parsites

MARC 08-023 Pg Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica)
Arrival Date:  February 20, 2008
Stranded at:  Fortunes Rocks, Biddeford, Maine
Rescued by:  Maine DMR
Gender & Age:  Female, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  50 lbs. (19.9 kg)
Straight Length:  93 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:  Emaciated

MARC 08-024 Pg Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica)
Arrival Date:  March 2, 2008
Stranded at:  Drakes Island, Wells, Maine
Rescued by:  Maine DMR
Gender & Age:  Female, Yearling
Weight at Admit:  47 lbs. (18.6 kg)
Straight Length:  91.5 cm
Reason for Rehabilitation:  Emaciated, parasites

(Press release posted March 31, 2008)