Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

Since 1976, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration has been rescuing stranded marine mammals, from the smallest seals to whales.

In all, the Aquarium has responded to more than 800 stranding calls from the public, treating more than 300 marine mammals and releasing more than 160 that would have died had they been left on the shore.

Why do marine mammals come ashore?

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's Seal Rescue Clinic staff released what is most likely its last harbor seal of the season back into the waters of Maine on October 20. This season was busy for the team, which responded to numerous calls and treated 43 seals, releasing 20 back into the wild. The seals came from Maine down to New Jersey. Though a few months of the season remain, stranding calls have slowed.