MYSTIC, Conn. – Three seal pups that were apparently abandoned by their parents after birth have been released into the waters off Rhode Island.

Officials at Connecticut’s Mystic Aquarium say the three harbor seals named Aster, Azalea and Ivy were released Thursday morning in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

The aquarium says one of the seals was rescued in early May in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Another was found in Harpswell, Maine, and brought to the aquarium in June. The third was found in East Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and arrived at the aquarium in July.

The aquarium says the three seals are now healthy enough to survive on their own. Each is about 4 to 5 months old and weighs around 50 pounds.

Two seals pause on their way to the ocean after being released in Charlestown, R.I., on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Mystic Aquarium