Name a Seal! Vote to Name Mystic Aquarium's Pup 49

From the Mystic Aquarium:

Mystic Aquarium was granted permission by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service to permanently care for Pup 49, a female harbor seal that had her rear, left flipper amputated after suffering a life-threatening infection. Known as Pup 49 because of her rehabilitation number, the aquarium is asking for the public’s help in giving her a new name.  

Mystic Aquarium volunteers who cared for Pup 49 during her rehabilitation selected five names, all names of harbors, for public voting: Coral, Grace, Hope, Madison and Mystic.

Voting is available at www.mysticaquarium.org through Sunday, April 21.  

Pup 49 is currently living at Mystic Aquarium’s Aquatic Animal Study Center where she has a special ramp that helps her exit the water with ease. She can be seen there through at least Sunday, April 28, when she will then be moved off display for training.    

Pup 49 was admitted to Mystic Aquarium’s Seal Rescue Clinic on July 16, 2012, after being rescued in Plymouth, Mass., by New England Aquarium 10 days earlier. A respiratory ailment and swollen rear, left flipper were identified during her admittance examination. Despite intensive treatment for her flipper, she developed a life-threatening infection in her bone and ankle joint that continued to get worse with time.  

On November 26, 2012, Mystic Aquarium’s veterinary team performed surgery to amputate Pup 49’s infected flipper. The surgery was successful and she has recovered beautifully, but she was deemed non-releasable by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service because she is a weaker, less agile swimmer and requires more effort to haul out of the water compared to seals with two rear flippers.  

About Mystic Aquarium  
Mystic Aquarium is a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and is counted among the nation’s leading aquariums with more than 300 species and an extensive collection of marine mammals, including New England’s only beluga whales. Mystic Aquarium has been a pioneer in offering guests a variety of up close encounters with a wide range of marine animals. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration. Sea Research receives major support from United Technologies Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Learn more at www.mysticaquarium.org or www.searesearch.org.