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L.A. Zoo “Seals” The Deal For This Jersey Boy
Many in the Philly and South Jersey areas have been following the story of the blind seal being fostered by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), a nonprofit organization based in Brigantine, NJ. It’s been touch-and-go whether this little guy would find a permanent home, but now it’s official—the male harbor seal known as “07-024” is headed for a swanky new life in sunny California at the L.A. Zoo!
The blind seal was found in Cape May Point earlier this year in March. The staff of MMSC was amazed that other than his blindness, which left him unable to find and catch food, the seal had no medical problems. He quickly captured their hearts, but finding a home for a wild adult seal is difficult—no less a blind wild adult seal.
“Our goal is to release back into the wild as many animals as we can. Unfortunately, that was not a viable option for 07-024,” says MMSC Director, Bob Schoelkopf. “In cases like this, we reach out to zoos and aquariums. However, many zoos now have breeding programs and don’t have the room for stray orphans. They’re also concerned with keeping their in-house, captive animals safe, and they’re afraid that wild animals might carry diseases.”
While 07-024 waited for a home, the community rallied behind his cause. The Philadelphia Inquirer ran several articles on the plight of the blind seal, which brought his story to the attention of millions of readers. Concerned citizens wrote letters to zoos and aquariums across the nation on his behalf. The MMSC, struggling to keep up with the financial demands of their long-term guest, was saved by the wonderful publicity—and by a very generous donation of 2,000 pounds of fish from the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ.
Meanwhile, 07-024 continued to prove that he wanted a chance. He was eager to learn his way around his pool, and grew ever more courageous and trusting of his caretakers. He began learning touch-targeting of hands and other objects, the first steps of training. Then toward the end of the summer, the L.A. Zoo expressed interest in the Jersey boy. They asked a veterinarian from Adventure Aquarium to examine the seal for them, and after his blood work came back in good shape, L.A. agreed to give 07-024 a forever home. This smart fellow, who won the affection of so many, will make a great addition to the L.A. Zoo, where he’ll be headed at the end of October on a special flight chartered just for him.
About the Marine Mammal Stranding Center
Since the MMSC’s founding in 1978, staff and volunteers have responded to more than 3170 calls for stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles who washed ashore on New Jersey’s beaches. These animals range from a 5-lb. Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle to a 25-ton Humpback whale (both of which are endangered species). Whenever possible, the animals are brought back to the MMSC for rehabilitation and eventual release. Rehabilitation can last up to several months and cost thousands of dollars for a single animal.
The center is open to the public. Its winter hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Please visit the Marine Mammal Stranding Center to learn more about this wonderful and unique organization.
Source = http://www.marinemammalstrandingcenter.org/strands.htm
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