Baby seal found on city streets is learning to eat fish so he can swim free
The story of a baby seal found on the bustling streets of New Haven, Connecticut, has captured the hearts of many. Animal rescuer Sarah Callan, the manager of animal rescue at the Mystic Aquarium in Stonington, Connecticut, was shocked when she received a call from the New Haven Police Department reporting a stranded seal pup in the city.
The pup, estimated to be about five or six weeks old, had wandered far from the water in search of sand dunes and grass for protection. Found half a kilometre from the shore, the pup was dehydrated but otherwise unharmed. Callan and her team at the aquarium have been caring for the pup, helping him regain his strength and prepare for release back into the wild.
At just 28 pounds, the pup is far below the weight he should be for his age. Callan explains that seal pups usually wean from their mothers at three to four weeks old and must learn to hunt for themselves. The team at the aquarium has been feeding him a fish formula and teaching him to swallow fish whole, a crucial skill for survival in the wild.
The Mystic Aquarium’s policy allows those who find a rescued animal to name it, and in this case, the New Haven Police Department has taken on the task. They have affectionately named the pup “Chappy,” after the street where he was found. Other names in the running include “Vinny” and “Tyler.” Once Chappy is bigger and more adept at hunting, he will be released back into the ocean with a tracker to monitor his movements and ensure his well-being.
The heartwarming story of Chappy, the baby seal rescued from the city streets, serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the dedicated efforts of animal rescuers like Sarah Callan and the team at the Mystic Aquarium. It is a tale of resilience and hope, as Chappy learns to fend for himself and eventually return to the sea where he belongs.
