A baby seal has found a new home at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut after being rescued from a beach by workers at the establishment.
Earlier this week, the aquarium was alerted about the animal being entangled in fishing netting on the remote shores of Block Island, according to a press release from the organization shared with PEOPLE.
Detailing that the netting was entangled around the animal’s neck and front flippers, the aquarium said it resulted in a “severe laceration” that left the seal unable to swim.
Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team joined dedicated response volunteers from Block Island to safely capture the sea animal, before it was then transported to Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Clinic.
Staff at the Mystic Aquarium later conducted a full medical evaluation of the seal and administered treatment to prevent infection and promote healing of the lacerated flipper.
The seal, believed to be between four and five months old, is now under observation at Mystic Aquarium’s rehabilitation center, where she will be watched until she is deemed fit for release.
She recently received radiographs, and veterinarians confirmed that she is also battling pneumonia, the aquarium said.
The seal has also started antibiotics in addition to her wound treatment and is currently eating on her own.
Reflecting on how the seal was rescued on Earth Day, Sarah Callan, the Animal Rescue team’s manager, said, “The timing of this case, on Earth Day, makes it all the more significant. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on our environment.”
“It’s a great reminder for everyone to clean up plastics and other marine debris from our beaches,” she continued. “It is our job to protect our ocean planet and the animals who call the ocean home.”
Wish her a full recovery and lots o fish!