SANDWICH – Hundreds of animal lovers came out to Scusset Beach in Sandwich Tuesday night to watch two rehabilitated harbor seal pups return to the wild.
The National Marine Life Center had treated the seals since June, when they were separated from their mothers.
The organization named one seal “Giseal Bundchen” and the other “Sealonardo DiCaprio.”
Staff at the center had to teach the pups how to swim and eat fish because they had not yet learned those skills in the wild.
Center Executive Director Kathy Zagzebski said seal pups can get separated from their mothers for a number of reasons, including human interaction. Harbor seal moms leave their pups on the beach to rest while the moms go offshore to feed.
Sometimes well-meaning interference by humans who think the pup has been abandoned can scare the seal mom away permanently.
At the time of their arrival, the pups were considered maternally dependent, meaning they could not survive on their own.
“Giseal Bundchen” stranded on June 9 on Chebeague Island, Maine and was rescued by Marine Mammals of Maine. The seal developed a serious ear infection that had to be treated before she could be released.
“Sealonardo DiCaprio” stranded on Great Spruce Head Island, Maine on May 25 and was rescued by College of the Atlantic.
The Buzzards Bay-based National Marine Life Center has cared for 117 seals since they opened up their new hospital in 2012. The group also rehabilitates endangered sea turtles and native turtles.
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