Seal pup season is in full swing in Puget Sound and World Vets continues to work with network partners to provide response and veterinary support for marine mammal strandings. Earlier this week, we rescued this thin and debilitated harbor seal pup in the Gig Harbor area, working in collaboration with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. His location required a boat response and we were able to perform an initial health assessment and administer fluid therapy aboard our vessel. He was later taken back to our marine mammal urgent care clinic where he was treated and hospitalized overnight. By morning, his hydration was improved and he was much more alert. He was transferred to PAWS for rehabilitation with the goal that he will be released back into the wild when he is recovered and old enough to feed on his own.
Moms and pups can be easily disturbed so please remember to give them space and stay back 100 yards. Keep pets away and on a leash. If you see a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal, please call and report it to the NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114. Thank you for observing marine mammals in a safe and responsible way.
World Vets marine mammal work is authorized under a permit with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
