Two helpless seal pups stranded in a remote part of Alaska found an unlikely hero in a volunteer pilot who flew roughly 1,200 miles to bring them to safety.
The Alaska SeaLife Center announced on June 30 that both harbor seal pups had been admitted to its Wildlife Response Program, the only authorized facility in Alaska dedicated to rehabilitating endangered wild animals.
The pups were discovered near Cordova, an isolated port city that cannot be reached by road. With no easy way to transport the animals, Seward pilot Duke Marolf stepped forward and offered to use his plane.
Marolf lives near the SeaLife Center in Seward, about 300 miles from Cordova. He climbed into his aircraft and began the long journey to rescue the first pup.
The newborn seal had been found in the waters outside Cordova with injuries suggesting she may have become tangled in a fishing net. She also still had a fresh umbilical cord attached, leading staff to believe she may have been less than 24 hours old when rescuers found her.
Marolf flew to Cordova, carefully helped load the injured pup onto his plane and transported her back to Seward.
A preliminary examination at the center revealed a large laceration on her body, along with several areas of damaged or disturbed fur.
Soon after the first pup arrived, rescuers received word that another young seal had been spotted nearby on Hinchinbrook Island, about 15 miles west of Cordova.
The second pup was found unusually far from the water, raising fears that she had been abandoned. Staff also became concerned about her behavior and noticed signs that she was severely dehydrated.
Making matters even more urgent, an eagle appeared to be following the vulnerable pup.
Marolf once again took to the skies, flying to the even more remote island to retrieve her.
By the time both rescue missions were complete, the volunteer pilot had traveled approximately 1,200 miles to give the two seals a fighting chance.
The second pup’s initial medical examination revealed significant dehydration, malnourishment and an ulcer in one of her eyes.
The Alaska SeaLife Center, which operates as a marine research center, wildlife rehabilitation facility and public aquarium, said both seals are now receiving treatment for their injuries and health problems.
Thanks to Marolf’s extraordinary effort, the two pups are finally safe and getting the around-the-clock care they desperately need.