The first two rescued harbour seal pups of the year have been returned to the wild following months of rehabilitation at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR).
The pups, named Sdlaana and Jimmy Two-Shoes, were released into the ocean in Haida Gwaii after veterinarians and animal care staff determined they were healthy and capable of surviving independently.
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Sdlaana, whose name means “survivor” in the Haida language, was discovered beneath a BC Ferries ramp in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, in May. He was believed to be less than five days old when he was found and was transported to VAMMR on May 19 in critical condition.
After weeks of specialized care, Sdlaana’s weight increased from 7.7 kilograms to 25.1 kilograms before his release.
Jimmy Two-Shoes was found near Prince Rupert after being observed alone for several days. Rescue staff said remnants of his umbilical cord were still present, indicating he was also only a few days old.
He arrived at VAMMR on May 29, weighing 8.4 kilograms. By the time he was released, he weighed just over 22 kilograms.
In a statement, VAMMR said the decision to release the pups was made only after veterinarians and animal care teams assessed their health, body condition, and ability to forage independently, ensuring they had the best chance of surviving on their own in the wild.
Anyone who encounters a seal pup that appears sick, injured, or abandoned is encouraged to contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Observe, Record, Report Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336 or VAMMR’s Marine Mammal Rescue Hotline at 604-258-SEAL (7325).
