Seal Stuck on Jetty Rescued by New Jersey Wildlife Crew
A juvenile gray seal stuck between rocks on a jetty was rescued by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in New Jersey on Monday, February 19, footage shows.
The MMSC said they received an urgent call about a seal trapped more than four feet below the surface of a jetty at the Allenhurst Fishing Pier on Monday afternoon. Had she not been discovered by bystanders, she likely would have drowned with the incoming tide, the MMSC said. The Allenhurst Police Department assisted the MMSC with the rescue.
Footage posted to Facebook by the wildlife center shows the seal being freed from the jetty, transported to their care center, and monitored for injuries and illness overnight. MMSC coordinator Jay Pagel and technician Jacob Alexander, who both rescued the seal, released her back into the ocean on Tuesday.
“Due to the size and aggressive nature of this seal – and needing to work in such a confined space with the animal – made this situation one of the most challenging rescues of my career,” Pagel said. "We are very happy that we were able to complete this rescue without injury to the seal or the staff.”
The video ends with the words “Safe travels, big girl!” as the seal swims away. Credit: Marine Mammal Stranding Center via Storyful
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