REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — A young grey seal rescued from the Delaware coast in April is now back in the ocean after making a remarkable recovery from multiple serious health conditions.
Eclipse, also known as Scutum, is a male grey seal weanling. He was discovered on Rehoboth Beach with a long list of medical issues. According to the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute, the seal was suffering from verminous pneumonia and had several injuries, including a large abscess on his right rear flipper, soft tissue trauma to his muzzle and shoulders and wounds on his front flippers.
MERR had sent Eclipse to Massachusetts for care at the National Marine Life Center. Eclipse not only survived but was deemed healthy enough to return to the wild. MERR says he splashed around for awhile once he was released, and was welcomed by a group of seven grey seals.
"Though his care very was touch and go for a while, we are thrilled to share that he was able to make a full recovery and return to the wild," said the National Marine Life Center. "Eclipse’s rehabilitation story is a true testament to the time, care, and dedication displayed not only by our Animal Care Team, but to our network partners: without them, this effort would not have been possible."
The group says the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey, played a role in Eclipse’s rehabilitation too. MMSC served as a halfway care facility before the seal was transported to a specialized center in Massachusetts.
Grey seals are seasonal visitors to the Mid-Atlantic coast and are often found resting on beaches, especially during the colder months. The public is reminded to stay at least 150 feet away from any marine mammals they encounter and to contact local stranding networks if an animal appears sick or injured.