Baby Seal Found In Downtown New Haven

May 25

Madeline Shani ’25

The gray seal is a slippery sight of gray, black, and white. The seal is a social animal, typically found within the borders of the North Atlantic. This animal can be identified by its small flippers, beautiful black eyes, and dark fur. In addition, the younger seals distinctively acquire a sweet white coat of fur.

For the four weeks that gray seals are typically nursed, they are expected to gain 50–70 pounds before they can go off on their own. Unfortunately, this was not the case for the baby seal that was rescued by Mystic Aquarium this past February, after being found free roaming the streets of New Haven. In fact, with a weight of 28 pounds, this baby seal weighed below the average weight of a newly born seal.

The baby seal had been spotted around New Haven by multiple sources, and Mystic Aquarium had their eye on the situation. Eventually, it was when the baby seal was spotted by Donna Domeck on her morning walk and she made her report, Mystic Aquarium came to the rescue, as they moved him back over to a beach in close proximity.

In an unfortunate event, despite the attempt at relocation, the 6–7 week old seal had been caught making its 5-mile flee back into the city. Mystic then decided it would be best to bring him back to their home base for rehabilitation. In Mystic’s mission to bring this seal back to health and solid strength, he is being fed high-fat milk for nursing along with fish formula.

According to NPR, animal rescue technician Francesca Battaglia had theorized that the baby seal was actually following his instincts. He was likely instinctively moving away from what he sensed to be bad weather. Nevertheless, this brought the seal into more danger as it led itself into the crowded and developed city of New Haven.

The story of this baby seal is a captivating example of the importance of looking out for wildlife in danger. Misplaced wildlife can be a recurring problem; we need stories of rehabilitation such as this one at the forefront in order to preserve the health of all wildlife ecosystems.

References

Kuta, S. (2025, February 21). Lost baby seal found wandering in downtown New Haven has been rescued-and attained local fame.

Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lost-baby-seal-found-wandering-in-downtown-new-haven-has-been-rescued-and-attained-local-fame-180986095/

Treisman, R. (2025, February 18). Why did the baby seal cross the road? it’s not a riddle for this Connecticut City. NPR.

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/18/nx-s1-5300679/baby-seal-new-haven-connecticut

Burzin, A. R. and K. (2025, February 19). Baby seal found on New Haven Streets gets special care at Mystic Aquarium.

https://www.wfsb.com. https://www.wfsb.com/2025/02/16/washed-up-seal-found-new-haven/

Fisheries, N. (2025, April 10). Gray seal.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/gray-seal