Six seals were released into the waters near Parksville with special transmitters affixed to their heads. (Oceanside)

By Spencer Sterritt

back in the water

Rehabilitated seals on special mission released from Parksville shores

Jan 25, 2020 | 11:45 PM

NANAIMO — Six rehabilitated seals reunited with B.C.’s waters are doing more than returning home. They’re also on a special research project which will help other rescued and rehabilitated animals.

They were released by the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Centre on Thursday, Jan. 23 near Parksville. Three of the seals suffer from various medical complications with their eyes and all were taken in by the centre in the last year.

All six now have satellite transmitters harmlessly and carefully affixed to their heads, which centre manager Lindsaye Akhurst said will let them better track the rehabilitated animals.

“It lets us know where the animals go post-release, if it’s close to where they were found in the first place and is somewhere they know naturally to go back to…or if they’re hanging out in other places where maybe they’re looking for food sources from people,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW.

“Specifically with these three seals which have eye issues, we want to see how well they’re able to potentially live in the wild and for how long.”

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The transmitters humanely placed on the six seals will provide more real-time tracking than the Marine Mammal Centre has had before. (Oceanwise)

Of the hundreds of animals released by the Marine Mammal Centre, some have tags but they can’t be tracked in real-time.

“With these satellite tags we’ll be able to know exactly where they go in the waters of British Columbia and even into Washington.”

The transmitters, which weigh less than a small cellphone, are carefully and humanely glued to each seals fur and will fall off when the animals molt.

Akhurst said tracking the seals is important to help the centre refine and improve their rehabilitation techniques.

“Are the animals becoming too habituated, are they hanging around other humans? Especially with these animals who tend to stay in our hospital setting a little bit longer. They’re exposed to human interactions more, so we really want to make sure every technique we’re doing is always improving and we’re able to set these animals up for success.”

Those releasing the seals say it’s always an emotional and fantastic day when they can return animals to the water. (Oceanwise)

Akhurst said releasing the seals back into the wild on Thursday was a heartwarming experience.

“It’s always such a great day when we’re able to release some of these animals back which we’ve given a second chance at life. I get goosebumps even saying that out loud and I’ve been doing this for 14 years.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit