Seal Pup Entangled in Plastic Wrapper Found on LBI Beach

A seal entangled in a plastic wrapper was found by a team of rescuers and taken to Brigantine's Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

A Seal Pup Entangled at the Neck in Plastic

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center posted on Facebook about a Grey Seal pup who was found last week entangled at the neck by the plastic wrapper from a case of bottled water.

The team from the MMSC responded to a call about the young seal on Thursday, Feb. 15, and found her incapacitated on a beach in Beach Haven.

The Seal Was Thin and Sickly

Although the seal was entangled around the neck, fortunately, the plastic had not cut into the seal's skin.

After transporting the seal to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the plastic was cut off and the seal was given a medical exam that showed she was thin, lethargic, and suffering from gastrointestinal issues.

The seal weighed 38.2 pounds. She was given a mix of formula and electrolytes via tube feeding.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center says the seal cub is resting comfortably.

Seal Migration Season is Underway

The Facebook post explains that the seal pup migration is happening now as young seals born in the last two months swim south from New England after only two weeks of nursing with their mother.

The seals must learn to hunt and protect themselves during their long journey. Getting tangled in a plastic wrapper was one complication too much for this young seal.