A wandering seal turned Long Beach Boulevard in Harvey Cedars into its personal rest stop on Tuesday, Feb. 24, briefly tying up traffic until help arrived. Town crews and police moved in to guide the animal off the road and arrange transport to a nearby rehabilitation center.
According to Daily Voice, Harvey Cedars police and the Department of Public Works shut down traffic while the seal slowly shuffled along Long Beach Blvd, eventually settling at Middlesex Avenue for a nap. Officers and DPW staff then carefully moved the animal out of harm’s way and transported it to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The outlet reports that staff at the center found no visible injuries, but noted the seal was thin and is now resting in Pen 2 of the Pool House.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center steps in
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the only federally authorized rescue and rehabilitation hospital for marine mammals in New Jersey, took custody of the seal and is overseeing its recovery. Staff will evaluate the animal’s overall condition, provide nutritional support as needed, and decide whether further treatment or eventual release is appropriate once the seal stabilizes. The center also runs a 24-hour stranding hotline for the public and local agencies.
How to report a stranded seal
NOAA Fisheries urges people not to touch or attempt to move stranded marine mammals and instead to report sightings to the regional 24/7 stranding hotline. For the Greater Atlantic region, that number is (866) 755-6622. Photos or video taken from a safe distance can help responders pinpoint the animal’s location and assess its condition. Officials also ask that pets and bystanders be kept away so the animal does not experience additional stress.
Why seals come ashore
Seals regularly haul out on land to rest, molt, or recover, and underweight or weakened animals sometimes need human help to survive. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center often treats underweight seals through the winter, providing assisted feeding and medical care until they are strong enough to be released.
For now, this seal is resting comfortably at the center, where staff will keep a close eye on its progress. Anyone who sees a marine mammal that appears to be in distress is asked to stay back, avoid interfering, and call the appropriate hotline so trained responders can handle the situation.
