Rescued as a frail newborn in White Rock, harbour seal pup Zeus was released back to the ocean after months of care by Vancouver’s Marine Mammal Rescue team.
Harbour Seal Pup Zeus Released After Rescue in White Rock
A frail harbour seal pup rescued from White Rock’s shoreline in late May has made a successful return to the ocean, thanks to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR).
From Rescue to Recovery
The pup, named Zeus, was discovered on May 27 weighing just 7.4 kilograms and suffering from hypothermia and dehydration. Still covered in lanugo—a fur coat normally shed before birth—he was deemed “incredibly vulnerable” and unlikely to survive without intervention.
Intensive Care and Rehabilitation
Upon arrival at VAMMR, Zeus received fluids for dehydration and was hand-fed six times daily by staff and volunteers. Within a week, he stabilized, and by mid-June he had transformed into a thriving and vocal pup.
A Milestone Release
On September 2, Zeus was released into Howe Sound alongside another pup, Great Bear, rescued from Salt Spring Island. Both were tagged for identification before being returned to the wild. The release was described by VAMMR senior manager Lindsaye Akhurst as “bittersweet yet rewarding.”
Record Season for Rescues
Zeus’s journey marked the beginning of a busy rescue season for VAMMR, Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal rescue facility. Since late May, the organization has taken in 75 seal pups, with a 94 percent survival rate. Over the past six decades, VAMMR has rehabilitated and released more than 3,000 marine mammals, including seals, sea lions, sea otters, and small cetaceans.
Protecting Wildlife
Akhurst emphasized that public awareness plays a crucial role in marine mammal protection. The organization urges anyone who spots a distressed marine mammal to maintain distance and contact the VAMMR hotline at 604-258-SEAL (7325) or Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-800-465-4336.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
