BIDDEFORD
Abandoned baby seal a first for UNE animal rehab center
Additional Photos
A harp seal pup that was rescued off the Maine coast is being rehabilitated at the University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center.
The pup was born in a cove in Spruce Head. It was rescued by the Maine Department of Marine Resources on Feb. 23.
Normally, harp seals give birth on ice floes off the Canadian coast. Marine scientists are trying to determine whether the birth in Maine was a sign of global climate change or a natural expansion of harp seals into Maine.
Harp seals have been increasingly common on Maine shores in recent winters.
The pup was rescued 14 hours after it was born. The mother swam away and did not return.
It is the first baby harp seal to be rescued by Maine marine officials and the first to be rehabilitated at UNE.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.