SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - Volunteers with the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute had their hands full over the holiday weekend. The institute monitored a record number of seal visitors along Delaware's coast—including five seals spotted on local beaches Saturday alone, and a dolphin sighting as well.
The weekend’s visitors included three grey seal pups, one adult grey seal and a yearling harp seal. Two of the pups returned to the ocean after resting onshore. One pup that came ashore near Sea Colony had to be relocated to a quieter stretch of beach to rest undisturbed.
“She seemed to be in good health and body weight,” MERR noted, praising Sea Colony locals and security staff for respecting the animal’s space and learning from the volunteers on site.
The weekend’s visitors included three grey seal pups, one adult grey seal and a yearling harp seal. Two of the pups returned to the ocean after resting onshore. (MERR Institute)
Among the seals was also an older adult grey seal named Leo, who had been monitored over several days as he moved between Indian Beach and 3Rs Road. On Saturday morning, he went out near the Indian River Inlet, where he peacefully passed away. According to MERR, this has become an annual occurrence as elderly male grey seals instinctively return to the shoreline in their final days. "These massive animals weigh up to 800lbs, so moving them humanely and painlessly is not possible and would only cause them needless stress and fear." said MERR.
The fifth seal, a harp seal, was observed swimming and hauling out on docks in Rehoboth Bay, a low-traffic area. MERR expressed gratitude for the public's support, urging beachgoers to continue keeping a 150-foot distance from resting seals and to leash pets. “Our volunteers selflessly brave harsh temperatures, and generously give their time, even on holiday weekends, to watch over these amazing animals to keep them safe so that they can get the critical rest that they need to survive.” MERR stated.
The Delaware beaches have seen a spike in seal sightings in rescues this year so far. More recently, a young seal pup named Andromeda ventured across all four lanes of Coastal Highway near the Indian River Inlet Bridge.
