Baby seal rescued from New Haven streets, receiving treatment

A young gray seal, approximately five to six weeks old, was found wandering the streets of New Haven, Connecticut, near an oyster bar, causing confusion and concern among local authorities. New Haven police initially thought the situation was a prank, but they quickly cordoned off the area until the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Mystic Aquarium arrived to assist. The seal, which was likely disoriented and underweight at 28 pounds, had previously been seen in Branford before making its way into the city. Mystic Aquarium's animal rescue team is now rehabilitating the seal, aiming to return it to the ocean once it is healthy and capable of hunting on its own. The incident highlights the challenges young seals face after weaning, as they instinctively explore but can easily end up in dangerous situations far from their natural habitat. The community is closely following the seal's recovery and eventual release back into the wild.