In a rare occurrence for southern New England, a young female hooded seal, typically found in the icy waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic, was rescued from the Providence River last weekend. The seal, approximately one-year-old, had been monitored by Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program since being reported in Watch Hill, RI, on August 29, 2024. After being spotted multiple times in Westerly and Providence, the seal was finally rescued and brought to Mystic Aquarium for medical evaluation and rehabilitation.  

Seen along the banks of the Providence River on Friday, the seal was attracting attention from onlookers. Despite warnings to keep a distance, people approached and attempted to interact with the seal, stressing this already vulnerable animal. The harassment and attempt by people to interact with the wild animal caused the seal to exhibit stress-related behaviors, such as ingesting rocks and gravel, which were later confirmed by radiographs conducted at the aquarium.  

Mystic Aquarium’s veterinary team discovered that the seal was severely dehydrated, underweight, and suffering from a belly full of rocks and gravel. Normally, hooded seals feed on the ice and snow of their natural Arctic habitat, but when distressed, they often ingest the substrate they find in their environment – in this case, rocks and shells from the shores of New England.  

"This is an arctic species, not adapted to the heat and human interaction here in New England,” said Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program Manager, Sarah Callan. “The seal has started to pass some gravel naturally, but surgery may be necessary if the rocks cannot be expelled on their own." The animal weighed about 30 pounds less than the expected weight for a seal of her age, which typically ranges around 100 pounds. Mystic Aquarium's rescue team is now focused on rehydrating and stabilizing her condition, ensuring she gains the necessary weight for eventual release.  

Hooded seals, known for their distinctive inflatable nasal sacs, are a rare sight in southern New England. The last reported hooded seal rescue in the area occurred nearly a decade ago in 2013. Historically, these animals were not seen in the region until the 1990s, and sightings remain uncommon. The recent presence of this seal may be tied to changing ocean currents or other environmental factors impacting marine animal migration patterns.  

“This species is rarely seen so far south of its natural habitat,” said Callan. “Although we never want to have to bring an animal in for rehabilitation, we are presented with a unique opportunity to learn as much as we can about this species while she is with us and get her back to her ocean home as soon as possible.” Mystic Aquarium plans to monitor the seal closely, providing medical care and support. If her condition improves, the team hopes to tag the animal with a satellite tracker to monitor her journey after release, ensuring she returns to colder waters.  

Mystic Aquarium emphasizes that seals and other marine mammals should be observed from a distance, as direct interaction can be harmful to both animals and humans. Touching or disturbing marine mammals is also a violation of federal law. "We believe human disturbance played a significant role in this seal’s deteriorating condition,” said Chris Dodge, a volunteer first responder for the Aquarium. “That is why awareness, education and understanding marine wildlife are crucial components of protecting species like the hooded seal." 

Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program has been at the forefront of marine animal rescue and rehabilitation for decades, responding to calls about stranded and injured wildlife throughout New England. With a focus on conservation, the program has made significant contributions to understanding the health and behaviors of endangered and rare species, including hooded seals.  

While the journey for this young hooded seal is far from over, the team at Mystic Aquarium remains committed to her care and hopeful for her full recovery.