Two rehabilitated harbour seal pups released in Haida Gwaii

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society has returned its first two rescued harbour seal pups of the year to the ocean in Haida Gwaii.

The pups, Sdlaana and Jimmy Two-Shoes, were released after veterinarians and animal-care staff determined they were healthy, in suitable condition and able to forage independently.

Sdlaana, whose name means “survivor” in Haida, was found beneath a BC Ferries ramp in Skidegate in May. Believed to be less than five days old, he arrived at the rescue centre in critical condition on May 19 and grew from 7.7 kilograms to 25.1 kilograms before release.

Jimmy Two-Shoes was found near Prince Rupert after being seen alone for several days. He still had remnants of an umbilical cord and was also believed to be only days old. He weighed 8.4 kilograms when admitted May 29 and more than 22 kilograms at release.

People who see a seal pup that appears ill, injured or abandoned can call Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Observe, Record, Report Marine Mammal Incident Hotline at 1-800-465-4336 or the rescue society’s hotline at 604-258-SEAL (7325).