The Return

The Alaska SeaLife Center is in charge of animal rescue and rehabilitation in the Kachemak Bay area. Yesterday, I got to witness the return of two harbor seals rescued earlier this year. These seals were estimated to be about a week old when they were taken in by the ASLC.

Each seal was tube-fed for about a month, transitioned to eating fish on their own, and progressively moved into larger pools so as to learn to interact with other seals and forage for fish on their own. Satellite tags were attached before their release in order to monitor their movements and gather information about the species.

It was a touching moment to witness the return to their natural habitat.

(click on photos to enlarge)