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The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said the male harbor seal finished his recovery and was released into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, Feb. 8.
The animal rehabilitation center posted a Facebook video on Friday, Feb. 9 showing the seal's return.
The seal was found badly injured in Surf City on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, according to MMSC. Technicians noticed he had a large laceration on his left hip, along with smaller wounds on his stomach and tail.
The one-year-old was brought to MMSC and a veterinarian determined his injuries came from a shark bite. He was given medicine and began six weeks of rehabilitation.
The seal gained about 30 pounds during his recovery. He weighed a healthier 87 pounds when he left the rehab center.
MMSC released him into the water just inside the Brigantine Inlet at the North Brigantine Natural Area.
"Harbor seals get their name from their tendency to seek out the protection of bays, estuaries, and inlets, so we found him the perfect place to start his second chance in the wild," MMSC said. "He was last spotted by staff heading out the inlet towards the ocean."
The seal was tagged on his left rear flipper before he was released. MMSC's video shows him crawling out of his carrier and looking around on the beach before splashing into the water.
This was the first seal MMSC has released back into the wild this season. The rehab center also rescued a baby grey seal that was spotted wandering around an Ocean City neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 7. MMSC is treating a female gray seal pup found by a jogger on a sidewalk in Point Pleasant Beach on Friday, Jan. 12.
The center also rescued a malnourished baby grey seal from a beach in Sea Bright on Friday, Jan. 12. MMSC gave an update about the pup on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and the center said he was now eating nine pounds of fish per day.
The stranding center also said you should not disturb a seal. You're asked to stay at least 150 feet away if you see one on land.
If you find a seal, you can report it to MMSC by calling 609-266-0538.
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