Two harbor seal pups that were found in dire condition off British Columbia's north coast have recovered successfully, returning to their home in the ocean near Haida Gwaii after months of rehabilitation.
Their release also highlights how volunteers, rescue workers, transportation partners, and federal officers can work together to give vulnerable animals a second chance.
Here's what to know
According to Richmond News, Fisheries and Oceans Canada officers released Sdlaana and Jimmy Two-Shoes after the pair spent roughly three months at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society's rescue center.
When he was sent to the rescue center on May 19, Sdlaana was believed to be about five days old, weighed 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms), and was in need of urgent care. He had been found alone beneath a BC Ferries ramp in Skidegate on Haida Gwaii and was severely underweight.
This adorable marine mammal's name has a special meaning, translating to "survivor" in the Haida language. By the time he was cleared for release, he weighed 55.3 pounds (25.1 kilograms).
At intake on May 29, Jimmy Two-Shoes weighed 18.5 pounds (8.4 kilograms) and still had remnants of his umbilical cord. He had been seen by himself for several days near a breakwater in the Prince Rupert area.
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More background
According to Richmond News, care teams look at a harbor seal's health, body condition, and ability to forage independently before deciding whether it can be released.
That progress was clear in Jimmy Two-Shoes' weight, which had climbed to more than 48.5 pounds (22 kilograms) by the time he was released.
What's being done?
Sdlaana's rescue drew on help from across British Columbia. Trained local volunteers helped stabilize him, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, along with Pacific Coastal Airlines, helped get him to Vancouver for urgent veterinary treatment.
During harbor seal pup season, people may encounter young seals alone on shore, but that does not necessarily mean a pup has been abandoned because mothers often leave them briefly while they forage.
The advice, as Richmond News reported, is to keep your distance, prevent pets from approaching, and avoid trying to handle, feed, or place a pup back in the ocean.
Anyone who sees a seal pup that appears sick, injured, or abandoned can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Observe, Record, Report/Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336 or VAMMR's Marine Mammal Rescue Hotline at 604-258-SEAL (7325).
"The successful return of Sdlaana and Jimmy Two-Shoes reflects the network of people involved in marine mammal response across British Columbia, from community members who first report animals in distress to DFO and Marine Mammal Response Program, transportation partners, trained volunteers and donors who support VAMMR's rescue and rehabilitation work," the VAMMR team said in a news release.
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