University of New England

UNE releases 4
rehabilitated seals

BIDDEFORD, Maine - The University of New England’ Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center released four seals Tuesday, March 20, 2007 that had been stranded in Maine and rehabilitated at the center.

Staff and volunteers unload seals.

MARC 07-005 Pg

MARC 07-006 Pg

MARC 07-003 Cc

MARC 07-002 Cc

MARC 07-002 Cc swims out to sea.

The seals released at Granite Point in Biddeford were two hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) and two harp seals (Phoca groenlandica). Both hooded seals were released with satellite tags in order to track the seals and gain valuable data regarding natural seal behavior. Visit the WhaleNet website for information on its satellite tagging program and visit WhaleNet's information page to track the two hooded seals released by MARC.

MARC 07-002 Cc is a female yearling hooded seal, stranded in York, Maine on Jan. 11, 2007.  She had a broken mandibular symphysis (cartilaginous connection between lower jaw bones) and had internal and external parasites.  #2’s blood work showed that she was positive for a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys, which if left untreated can lead to fatality.  This seal is being tracked as WhaleNet 64664.

MARC 07-003 Cc is a male yearling hooded seal, originally stranded in Old Orchard Beach, Maine on Jan. 20, 2007.  He was underweight and dehydrated, with a case of lice, and ulcerations on the roof of his mouth.  #3’s blood work also showed that he was positive for a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys. This seal is being tracked as WhaleNet 62156.

MARC 07-005 Pg is a male yearling harp seal, originally stranded in Kennebunk, Maine on Feb. 7, 2007.  He was slightly underweight, dehydrated and had a broken digit on his left fore-flipper.

MARC 07-006 Pg is a male yearling harp seal, stranded in Biddeford, Maine on Feb. 12, 2007.  He was admitted with a mild case of parasitic lice and conjunctivitis of the eye. 

(Press release posted March 20,  2007)