REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - A young grey seal from the Delaware coast is now receiving critical care in Massachusetts after a long and carefully coordinated transport effort involving multiple marine rescue organizations.
Eclipse, a male grey seal weanling previously named Scutum, was first discovered on Gordon’s Pond in Rehoboth Beach by the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute. The seal, believed to be just recently weaned, showed signs of serious health issues and was unable to remain in local care due to full capacity at rehabilitation centers across the mid-Atlantic.
"While we don’t typically receive animals outside of the New England region, the reality of the situation is our partners need help. The southern portion of the region is seeing a substantial influx of seals and have filled up rehabilitation centers south from Massachusetts to Virginia." said the National Marine Life Center.
The trip included a key stopover in New Jersey at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, where Eclipse received supportive care and time to decompress before continuing to the National Marine Life Center.
The seal is currently being treated for a wide array of health concerns, including severe malnutrition, an abscess in his right hind flipper, swelling in both front flippers, low sodium levels, enteritis and alopecia on his neck. He also has a high parasite load, including lice, lungworms, tapeworms, and roundworms, and is battling verminous pneumonia, which is impacting his breathing says the marine center.
Initial exams suggest the flipper injuries are soft tissue related, but bone or structural damage has not yet been ruled out. A second round of radiographs is planned to further evaluate his condition and guide his treatment.
The team named him Eclipse, drawing inspiration from the rare celestial events. The name honors not only his unique journey, traveling from Delaware to Massachusetts, but also the rarity of such cross-regional rescues.