01/23/2024
The National Marine Life Center has just taken in another rescue seal named Chocolate Chip. He was rescued near Pigeon Cove Wharf in Rockport (northeast of Boston, MA) on January 10 and is a grey seal pup.
It is believed Chocolate Chip was tragically separated from his mother prematurely – likely due to a series of storms that have hit the Northeast. When seal pups his age are separated from their mothers too early, they haven’t yet properly built up a strong and healthy blubber layer that is used to sustain them through the weaning phase. In addition, they do not receive critical antibodies from their mother’s milk used to help fight off a host of potential viruses putting them in greater risk of becoming sick.
Now at the National Marine Center, Chocolate Chip’s wounds are being treated along with hyponatremia (an electrolyte abnormality).
Located in Massachusetts, the National Marine Life Center’s mission is to rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation. They are a long-time user of Stanfield Heat Mats. These heat mats help young seal pups like Chocolate Chip in their recovery process. Just this week, we shipped another PP2030 heat mat to the National Marine Life Center. You can be assured this product made right here in Osborne, KS, will be put to good use for other rescue mammals.
Keep up the amazing work you are doing National Marine Life Center!!!
🍦New Patient Alert 🍦
Meet Chocolate Chip! Chocolate Chip is a male grey seal pup who was rescued by our friends at SSC Marine Mammal Rescue on January 10th.
Chocolate Chip was initially observed on January 9th on a boat ramp in Pigeon Cove Wharf in Rockport , but he appeared very alert and so the team decided to give him the night to see how he would fair. He turned back up on January 10th in a backyard, only this time he was much quieter with thick eye discharge. Once the team had hands on him they also noted multiple small puncture wounds.
Chocolate Chip was transported to us early on the 11th. It is more likely than not that Chocolate Chip was prematurely separated from mom in the series of storms hitting the Northeast. Aside from separation, he is being treated for infection of the puncture wounds, and hyponatremia. Animals at this age are at a massive disadvantage without mom as they don't build up a strong blubber layer to sustain them through the weaning phase, nor do they receive antibodies for a variety of viruses they would if they were with her for the entire nursing period. As we continue to move through grey seal pupping season and move into weanling season please remember to keep your distance from these animals, and if you do feel like you are witnessing an animal in distress please reach out to your local stranding authority.
