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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center releases three harbor seal pups

The University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (MARC) released the first harbor seal pups of the summer season.  

Three harbor seal pups have undergone successful rehabilitation with a special formula created using Oakhurst Dairy cream and cottage cheese. 

All of the harbor seal pups were neonatal animals - one to two days old when they came to MARC for rehabilitation.  One of the pups, "Sorrento," was almost one month premature. He weighed 15 pounds when brought to the center and 65 pounds when released.

MARC Coordinator Keith Matassa says, "We will never be able to duplicate harbor seals' natural milk, but we have been working hard for close to 35 years to develop a formula that will come close to replicating the natural milk of the mother seal. Using a unique, rich mix of lactose-free milk products, oils, and vitamins, we have been able to rehabilitate "Sorrento" from being a premature pup to a healthy seal ready for release; this tells us our formula is working."

Matassa adds, "We are fortunate that companies like Oakhurst support UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center efforts in the continual improvement of rehabilitation practices."

The pups were released on Granite Point Beach in Biddeford, with dozens of onlookers and supporters in attendance.

"Sorrento"
MARC 10-023 Pv
Harbor Seal Phoca vitulina
Arrival Date: 4/11/2010
Stranded At: Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts
Rescued by: New England Aquarium
Gender: Male
Age: Pup (< 1 yr.)
Admit Weight: 15 lbs (6.95 kg)
Admit Length: 29 in (73.00 cm)
Reason for Rehabilitation: Abandoned pup, premature
 
"Brewer"
MARC 10-025 Pv
Harbor Seal Phoca vitulina
Arrival Date: 5/17/2010
Stranded At: Muscongus Bay, Round Pond, Maine
Rescued by: Maine Department of Marine Resources
Gender: Male
Age: Pup (< 1 yr.)
Admit Weight: 23 lbs (10.40 kg)
Admit Length: 27 in (69.00 cm)
Reason for Rehabilitation: Failure to thrive; maternal separation
 
"Auburn"
MARC 10-027 Pv
Harbor Seal Phoca vitulina
Arrival Date: 5/18/2010
Stranded At: Trenton, Maine
Rescued by: College of the Atlantic
Gender: Female
Age: Pup (< 1 yr.)
Admit Weight: 16 lbs (7.40 kg)
Admit Length: 31 in (78.00 cm)
Reason for Rehabilitation: Failure to thrive, maternal separation 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.