A harbor seal whose rear flipper had to be amputated has made his first public appearance, and joined other rescued seals at the Aquarium of Niagara.
As an approach to call attention to the often-dramatic impact humans have on marine life, the newest arrival has been named "Stryker" by the aquarium staff.
"Stryker was struck by a boat, which caused trauma to his hind flipper," said Richelle Swem, curator of animal care. "We chose this name in hopes that it will remind the public to be mindful and conscious of wildlife. All of our animals are ambassadors for their wild counterparts, and Stryker's story is a reminder of the threats that these animals face in the ocean."
The seal is 1 year old and was rescued by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center off the coast of New Jersey in April. Stryker was found with a severely damaged hind flipper, which included deep lacerations. Veterinarians were forced to amputate the injured flipper, and he was deemed non-releasable by the U.S. government before joining the Aquarium of Niagara.
"The first goal of any rescue is to return a stranded animal back to their natural environment. For an animal whose condition is too comprised to endure the harsh elements of life in the ocean, we are proud to provide a home to rescued and non-releasable marine mammals," Executive Director Gary Siddall said. "Our mission allows us to give these animals a second chance at life, while also inspiring and educating the public through their amazing stories."
Stryker joins another Marine Mammal Stranding Center alum Della, a 27-year-old gray seal. She was rescued off the coast of Delaware in 1990 and joined the Aquarium of Niagara in 2015.
