A newly born harbor seal pup found emaciated and alone on a beach in Homer on Saturday has been admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) and is now in critical condition. The pup is one of three harbor seals admitted to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program over the past week.
She was found very skinny, dehydrated, and had a fresh umbilicus, which indicates she was newly born.
Once NOAA authorized recovery, ASLC Homer volunteers were able to recover and start transporting her to the ASLC for critical veterinary care.
The pup’s bloodwork also pointed to liver dysfunction, but the primary concern for the animal care team was her severely malnourished and dehydrated state.
She remains in critical condition.
A few days earlier, on May 26th, a premature male pup was found alone on a beach near Petersburg, Alaska. The next day, it was still there alone, prompting NOAA staff in the area to call the ASLC hotline. After receiving authorization, the pup recovered and was quickly prepared for a flight, leaving Petersburg that morning. The seal was transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center, where he remains in critical condition as veterinary teams work to stabilize his fragile health.
Similar to challenges a premature human baby may face, the pup’s yellow-tinted gums and bloodwork indicated that his liver isn’t functioning as it should, and his condition also remains critical as he fights each day to survive.
As staff continued providing intensive care for the three harbor seal pups already admitted, they braced for another admit on June 3. A female harbor seal pup was spotted alone in an unusual location in Anchorage.
ASLC staff observed the pup for several hours and a tidal cycle through reports provided by the public via the ASLC marine mammal stranding hotline. When no mother returned and the pup remained vulnerable in a heavily trafficked area, NOAA authorized rapid intervention, and the pup was transferred to the ASLC for treatment and rehabilitation.
These cases follow the recent admissions of another premature harbor seal pup and an orphaned northern sea otter pup, all of which require intensive rehabilitation and veterinary care.
To help harbor seal pups, it’s crucial to avoid disturbing them during pupping season.
Human or pet interaction can cause mothers to abandon their pups, putting their survival at risk.
Keep a safe distance, never touch or move a pup, and report any stranded or injured marine mammals to the Alaska SeaLife Center at 1-888-774-SEAL (7325).
Donations can be made to support the pups’ care at alaskasealife.org/donate.