New Haven, CT — A gray seal pup’s unexpected journey through the streets of New Haven ended in rescue after it was found wandering in the city’s bustling downtown, far from its natural habitat.
Now under the care of Mystic Aquarium’s animal rescue team, the young seal faces weeks of rehabilitation before it can return to the wild.
The pup, estimated to be five to six weeks old, first surfaced in Branford last week before reappearing in New Haven, drawing attention when it was spotted outside a waterfront restaurant.
After being relocated to a safer beach, the seal defied expectations and made its way back to the city, this time stopping traffic on Chapel Street near East Street on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Police secured the area and secured the animal’s safety until wildlife officials arrived.
Weighing only 28 pounds, the pup is slightly underweight for its age, likely a sign of its struggle to find food.
Experts suspect it was instinctively seeking refuge, possibly to avoid larger, dominant seals that can be aggressive toward younger ones. In the urban landscape of New Haven, however, survival was impossible.
Now receiving round-the-clock care at Mystic Aquarium, the pup is being fed a steady diet of fish and fluids to build its strength.
Rehabilitation specialists aim to prepare it for an eventual return to the wild, where it will need to hunt and survive independently.
The process could take weeks or even months, depending on the animal’s recovery progress.
Seals occasionally venture beyond their coastal habitats, but sightings in city streets remain rare.
The pup’s repeated attempts to navigate an urban environment raised concerns about its well-being and underscored the importance of wildlife rescue efforts.
Once fully rehabilitated, the young seal will be released back into a suitable coastal habitat—this time, far from the distractions of city life.
