Six gray seals were successfully released back into the ocean on a Rhode Island beach after nearly two months of rehabilitation following their entanglement in fishing gear. The Mystic Aquarium reported a rise in seal entanglements parallel to increasing seal populations. This year, they've rescued 24 seals, indicating a higher number of rescues than 2022. Despite costly rehabilitation efforts, funding cuts restricted research capabilities, limiting the number of seals equipped with satellite tracking tags, which are crucial for studying marine life patterns and addressing environmental impacts.
Hundreds gathered as six gray seals were released back into the ocean after over two months of rehabilitation due to entanglement in fishing gear.
As seal populations surge in New England, the Mystic Aquarium's rescue program is seeing an increase in entanglement cases, indicating a growing environmental challenge.
The cost of rehabilitating each seal exceeds $10,000, emphasizing the financial strain on rescue efforts amid increased demand for care and research.
Funding cuts have resulted in limitations on tracking research, as seen by the last two satellite tags being fitted on the seals at release.
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