Seal Pup Rescued From Ocean City Dunes On Valentine's Day

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 6 to 8 week old Grey seal pup was rescued from the Ocean City dunes on Valentine's Day. The pup was in thin condition and had irritated eyes from the sand, likely because it had not learned to feed itself properly after being weaned from its mother. The pup was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, where it is being cared for until it regains weight and can be released back into the wild.

Why it matters

Grey seal pups are vulnerable when they are first weaned, as they must learn to hunt and feed themselves. This pup was found in poor condition, highlighting the challenges these young seals face as they transition to independent life. Rescues like this help ensure the survival of the species.

The details

The Grey seal pup, estimated to be 6 to 8 weeks old, was discovered nestled in the Ocean City dunes on Valentine's Day. The pup was in thin overall body condition and had some irritation in its eyes from sand. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center believes the pup did not learn to eat well after being weaned from its mother, as Grey seal pups typically triple their birth weight of 30-35 lbs by the time they are weaned. This pup only weighed 30.4 lbs when found.

• The pup was discovered on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2026).
• Grey seal pups are typically weaned after about 2 weeks.

What’s next

The seal pup is now being cared for at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, where it will be fed and rehabilitated until it has regained enough weight to be released back into the wild.