[SEMCO] Press Release: National Marine Life Center Opens Seal Pup Room

[Eva Schegulla]

Date:   July 10, 2015

Contact:  Kathy Zagzebski, kzagzebski at nmlc.org

For Immediate Release







*NATIONAL MARINE LIFE CENTER’S PUP ROOM OPENS*

*New Room Devoted to Seal Pup Care Expands Hospital Capacity*







(Buzzards Bay, MA)(July 10, 2015)  The National Marine Life Center is
delighted to announce the opening of its “Pup Room” in the Center’s
Buzzards Bay hospital.  The room’s first patient, Raspberry,  was admitted
on July 1.

            The room was partially donated and entirely built by two of
NMLC’s most dedicated volunteers, Wendy and Mark Wyman. Wendy has been part
of the NMLC animal care team for over six years and understands the needs
of the pups.  Supplies for the room were provided by a combination of
donations from Home Depot stores in Wareham and Plymouth, and discounted
supplies from Lowe’s Home Improvement.

            The hospital is currently caring for  8 seals, and the new room
will allow NMLC to attend to more animals in need, and adds flexibility to
hospital. The 6X9 foot room with a 2 1/2 foot deep pool sunken into the
floor, will accommodate up to three more seal pups at any one time. With
the closure of the University of New England’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation
Center in 2014, the National Marine Life Center is expecting more than
three times the number of seal patients in their facility this year.

NMLC’s seal pup patients will still attend “swim school” in the larger
tanks prior to release, gaining the swimming and fishing skills they need
in order to be released back into the ocean once they’re healthy enough.
NMLC’s Animal Care & Facilities Coordinator says, “The pup room couldn’t
have been completed at a better time; there is a greater demand for NMLC’s
rehab space than ever before.” The room was approved by the National Marine
Fisheries Service as operational rehabilitation space on Tuesday, and
admitted its first patient on Wednesday.  Raspberry, an abandoned female
harbor seal pup from Biddeford, ME, was rescued less than a mile from UNE’s
former rehabilitation facility. Naming rights to the first animal to
inhabit the space was giving to the Wymans, who selected “Raspberry”.
NMLC’s seal naming theme this year is herbs and spices; raspberry leaf is a
healing herb often used in teas.

            The National Marine Life Center is located at 120 Main Street,
Buzzards Bay. A 501(c)(3), NMLC rehabilitates and releases stranded marine
mammals and sea turtles in order to advance science and education in marine
wildlife health and conservation.  The NMLC Discovery Center offers a wide
range of programs and exhibits for all ages centered around its mission,
and visitors can view the tanks via webcam and screens in the Center.

            Funds for the NMLC are raised throughout the year, with the
central event being the Mermaid Masquerade Ball.  This year’s ball will be
on August 14, 2015 at the Waverly Oaks Club in Plymouth.  For more
information on the center, visit www.nmlc.org, and for details on the Ball,
visit www.mermaidball.com.
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