AQUINNAH, Mass. — A rehabilitated grey seal that was treated and released in New Jersey has been spotted more than 180 miles away, relaxing on the shores of Martha’s Vineyard, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
The seal, identified as former patient #25-003 and nicknamed “Belmar,” was originally rescued in Belmar, N.J., after stranding on February 7. At the time, the young pup was still covered in his lanugo — a soft birthing coat — and was suffering from lungworm, a parasitic infection common in young seals.
Following two months of treatment at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, the pup made a full recovery and was released on April 8 weighing 81.8 pounds. “He was sighted by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah Natural Resources Department one month after his release in Massachusetts,” MMSC reported.
The seal was identified by the orange tag on his left rear flipper, a standard marker used to track rehabilitated marine animals. Although the number was partially obscured, the Stranding Team at MMSC was able to confirm his identity by matching recent photos from his release.
Seal’s recovery journey documented
The Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network received the photographs and confirmed the sighting location on Martha’s Vineyard. MMSC noted that Belmar’s journey highlights the success of rehabilitation programs and the migratory behavior of young seals post-release.
The Wampanoag Environmental Laboratory, which shared the photo and sighting information, plays a key role in local marine wildlife monitoring and has collaborated with national stranding networks to report marine mammal activity in the region.
Belmar’s full rescue and rehabilitation journey, including video footage of his release, is available through the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s official website.