BRIGANTINE, N.J. – A young harbor seal rescued on Valentine’s Day in Ship Bottom has died despite intensive treatment, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) announced Wednesday.
The approximately one-year-old male, identified as Harbor seal #25-006, was found suffering from a severe respiratory infection, bloody nasal discharge, and a large wound on his left hip. He had been showing signs of improvement and was eating on his own before his sudden decline Tuesday evening.
Just before a scheduled feeding, staff discovered the seal unresponsive. Despite resuscitation efforts, he could not be revived.
A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of his acute decline. “This is the hardest part of the work that we do in animal rescue,” MMSC stated, thanking staff, volunteers, and supporters for their dedication.