Seal pup recovering at the marine mammal stranding center in brigantine
courtesy of MMSC

Seal pup recovering at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine

by
February 25, 2026
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Grey seal pup rescued after wandering onto Long Beach Boulevard in Harvey Cedars

HARVEY CEDARS, NJ – Morning traffic on Long Beach Boulevard came to a halt Tuesday when a young grey seal pup was found lying in the middle of the road after wandering off the beach and into a residential street.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center reported the female pup was discovered February 24 after traveling up a beach access path and onto Long Beach Boulevard in Harvey Cedars during the early morning hours. Her light coloration made her difficult to see against the roadway.

An approaching driver spotted the seal and contacted police. Officers and the Harvey Cedars Department of Public Works blocked traffic as the animal moved toward Middlesex Avenue, where she stopped in the roadway.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s Stranding Team transported the pup to its rehabilitation facility in Brigantine.

Upon arrival, the seal underwent a medical examination. Officials said she had no visible injuries but was underweight at 34.8 pounds. Her age is estimated at six to eight weeks. Staff described her condition as guarded.

The pup received supportive care, including tube feeding with a mixture of formula and electrolytes. Technicians are assisting her with fish feedings as she continues to recover in the facility’s Pool House.

Grey seals nurse for approximately two weeks before becoming independent. At birth, pups typically weigh between 30 and 35 pounds and can triple their weight by weaning. Officials believe this pup was not successfully feeding on her own after weaning and had lost significant weight.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said seals occasionally wander into residential areas after leaving the beach. A similar incident occurred in March 2021 when another grey seal pup was found in a driveway on 68th Street in Harvey Cedars.

Key Points

  • A grey seal pup was found in the middle of Long Beach Boulevard in Harvey Cedars
  • The 6 to 8 week old seal weighed 34.8 pounds and is in guarded condition
  • The pup is receiving supportive care at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine
Local News Report

Local News Report

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

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