SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - A young gray seal that crossed four lanes of traffic in April had to be euthanized after rescuers discovered it had severe neurological damage.
The pup was found near the Indian River Inlet Bridge on April 12 and rescued by the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute. The group said the seal had multiple bite wounds on its head and neck. While the injuries were being treated, rescuers noticed the pup exhibited random head twitches early on.
MERR was on the beach preparing to release the seal, named Andromeda, back into the water when the twitching worsened. This time, her eyes also began moving uncontrollably. MERR believes the initial injuries caused a condition called nystagmus, which the American Academy of Ophthalmology describes as rapid, involuntary eye movement.
Because of this condition, the organization determined Andromeda could not survive in the wild. And with a high number of seal rescues this year, there was no long-term rehabilitation space available at coastal facilities.
After the seal’s death, MERR performed a necropsy and confirmed trauma to the brain.
Meanwhile, another rescued seal named Pegasus is being treated at the National Aquarium Stranding Response Center. According to MERR, that pup is being treated for bite wounds and worms in its lungs.
