PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A hooded seal is being treated at Mystic Aquarium after the animal was spotted eating rocks in Providence.
Sarah Callan, the manager of Mystic’s animal rescue program , says her team was first made aware of the seal’s presence on Aug. 29 when it was spotted at Napatree Point in Westerly.
“It was a very interesting call to get,” Callan said. “We weren’t expecting to see a hooded seal because it is such a rare species to see in our coverage area over here.”
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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , hooded seals live in cold waters in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Callan says the species hasn’t been spotted in Rhode Island since 2013.
“The seal initially looked great,” Callan said. The female seal, which appears to be about a year old, was spotted again on Sept. 9 in Mystic and then on Sept. 13 in Providence.
Since the seal was in a busy area, members of Callan’s team put rope and signs up around the animal to try and keep people away. Mystic Aquarium knew they had to step in and rescue the seal when she was spotted eating rocks.