Grey seal pup rescued from Assateague Island National Seashore

Image courtesy of the National Aquarium and Animal Care and Rescue Center

BALTIMORE, Md. – A grey seal pup was recently rescued from Assateague Island National Seashore by the National Aquarium.

On February 26th, aquarium staff welcomed the seal after he was found stranded and dehydrated with wounds of unknown origin to his face and left flipper. The seal pup has been nicknamed Louis Armstrong, in line with the National Aquarium’s 2021-2022 rescue season naming theme of musicians and instruments.

Louis weighed in at 35 pounds and was determined to have been born sometime in January, and in the wild would still be dependent on his mother for nourishment, leaving him vulnerable to predators and susceptible to malnutrition on his own. Since arriving last month, Louis has been treated with antibiotics to address infections from the wounds on his face and flipper. The Animal Rescue Team is now working with Louis to master independent swimming and foraging for food, skills he will need to survive on his own once released.

Officials say Louis is a vocal and spirited pup who has no reservations about making noise to let staff know when it’s time for a meal. Aquarium caregivers say he has a big personality and is getting comfortable in his splash pools seeking out fish. We’re told it’s critical that Louis begin to understand how to find and eat fish on his own while in the Aquarium’s care.

Louis will remain in case until he is cleared for release based on several health checks, including reaching a weight of 50 pounds before being deemed eligible for return to his ocean home.