MERR Harbor Seal Rescue

A young harbor seal rescued from a netting entanglement in Cape Henlopen State Park, DE - Courtesy of the MERR Institute

 MERR Institute

LEWES, DE - The Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute has announced the successful rescue of a harbor seal that had been found tightly tangled in gill netting.

MERR says the juvenile seal was found at the Point of Cape Henlopen on Wednesday, February 28th and was suffering from a deep gouge caused by netting wrapped around its neck. The seal led rescuers on a chase as it kept retreating back into the water before it could be secured and brought back to a facility for treatment, according to MERR.

MERR Harbor Seal Rescue

Courtesy of the MERR Institute

MERR veterinarians were able to disentangle the seal and treat its wound, and the young animal was otherwise in good condition despite the injury. MERR says they released the seal back into the ocean at the Point just before dark.

MERR gave the young seal the name Samoa before releasing it back into the wild.

 

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Digital Content Producer

Sean joined WBOC as Digital Content Producer in February 2023. Originally from New Jersey, Sean graduated from Rutgers University with bachelor’s degrees in East Asian Studies and Religion. He has lived in New York, California, and Virginia before he and his wife finally found a place to permanently call home in Maryland. With family in Laurel, Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Captain’s Cove, Sean has deep ties to the Eastern Shore and is thrilled to be working at WBOC serving the community.

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