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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center releases four rehabilitated seals

The University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (MARC) on May 15, 2011 released four rehabilitated seals at a location along the Biddeford coast.

The seals included three harp seals (a baby, a juvenile and an adult) and a grey seal pup. The baby harp seal, named 'Stef,' was released with a satellite tag so that her travels can be monitored. (Watch a WGME13 news video of the release.)

Despite rain, about 250 people attended the release, including school children from the RSU 21 school district in Kennebunk/Arundel who have been collecting bottles for the Clynk Community Cash program that goes directly towards the care of the animals at MARC.

Released seals

"Irving"
MARC 11-020 Pg
Harp Seal
Phoca groenlandica
Arrival Date: 4/22/2011
Stranded At: South Portland, Maine
Rescued by: Maine Department of Marine Resources
Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Reason for Rehabilitation:
Lethargic, dehydrated, malnourished
Release Weight: 222 lbs (100.70 kg)
Release Length: 65 in (165.00 cm)
Release Date: 5/15/2011

"Harriet"
MARC 11-016 Pg
Harp Seal
Phoca groenlandica
Arrival Date: 4/4/2011
Stranded At: Long Sands, Maine
Rescued by: Maine Department of Marine Resources
Gender: Female
Age: Yearling (1-2 yrs.)
Reason for Rehabilitation:
Hypernatremic, hypoglycemic, lethargic
Release Weight: 93 lbs (42.40 kg)
Release Length: 39 in (98.00 cm)
Release Date: 5/15/2011

"Baby Ruth"
MARC 11-015 Hg
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Arrival Date: 4/3/2011
Stranded At: Ogunquit, Maine
Rescued by: Maine Department of Marine Resources
Gender: Female
Age: Pup (< 1 yr.)
Reason for Rehabilitation:
Underweight, chin injury, on beach for several days
Release Weight: 55 lbs (24.80 kg)
Release Length: 41 in (105.00 cm)
Release Date: 5/15/2011

"Stef"
MARC 11-005 Pg
Harp Seal
Phoca groenlandica
Arrival Date: 2/24/2011
Stranded At: Sprucehead, Maine
Rescued by: Maine Department of Marine Resources
Gender: Female
Age: Pup (< 1 yr.)
Reason for Rehabilitation:
Maternal Separation
Release Weight: 86 lbs (39.30 kg)
Release Length: 42 in (106.00 cm)
Release Date: 5/15/2011

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.