Seal pup season in Maine is always a busy time for the dedicated team at Marine Mammals of Maine (MMM). Each year, they receive dozens of calls from concerned beachgoers who stumble across tiny seals resting on the sand. But when they got a call about a stranded pup at Scarborough Beach, they didn’t expect to see something so unusual.
When rescuers arrived, they immediately noticed the little pup’s coat. Instead of the typical smooth gray or brown fur most harbor seals are born with, this baby was still covered in lanugo — the fluffy white coat normally shed before birth.
“He was born with the white, fluffy lanugo fur typically shed in utero prior to birth, which could be an indication that he was born prematurely,” MMM explained in a Facebook post.
For the experts, this detail was concerning. Not only did it suggest that the pup had entered the world earlier than expected, but it also meant he was far more vulnerable than most newborn seals.
Too Young to Be Alone
Based on his size and behavior, the rescuers believed the pup was only about a day old. At that age, seal pups are still entirely dependent on their mothers for food, protection, and warmth.
Normally, it isn’t unusual for pups to haul themselves onto shore to rest while their mothers hunt. But the longer MMM staff observed, the clearer it became that this little one was on his own. Even more worrying, he had been repeatedly approached by curious beach visitors who, without realizing it, were putting him under stress.
“While [being] vocal, swimming and sleeping on the beach [are] all normal things for maternally dependent pups, a few aspects of his exam and the number of times he experienced people interacting with him on the beach indicated he would need assistance to survive,” MMM shared.
The team carefully scanned the area one more time for his mother, hoping she might return. When she didn’t, they knew they had to step in. Without their help, this fragile pup wouldn’t stand a chance.
A Second Chance at Life
The seal was gently transported back to MMM’s headquarters, where he was given a thorough check-up and a plan for care. Rescuing a pup this young — and possibly premature — would be challenging, but the team was prepared to give him the best chance possible.
“As a dependent pup, he will be spending the next few months at our center, receiving formula feeds until [he’s] 3-4 weeks old, and then learning to eat fish,” MMM explained.
In his new temporary home, the little seal wasted no time showing off his personality. Despite his rough start, he was eager to interact with the world around him. His favorite thing? Suckling on his pool mate, another dependent pup who had also been rescued.
“He is doing great and loves to suckle on his pool mate, who is also a dependent seal pup,” MMM’s director Lynda Ada Doughty said. “He loves his swim time, too!”
Watching him splash, play, and grow gave the staff hope that this tiny survivor could one day return to the wild where he belonged.
Looking Toward the Future
For now, the fluffy little seal still has a long road ahead of him. He’ll continue receiving around-the-clock care, including special formula to mimic his mother’s milk. Once he’s strong enough, he’ll begin eating fish and practicing the skills he’ll need in the wild — like diving, hunting, and socializing with other seals.
The goal is always release. If all goes well, this pup will eventually waddle down the beach and slip back into the ocean, ready to live life as a fully independent harbor seal.
His story is a reminder not only of the challenges wildlife face but also of the importance of human compassion. Without the quick action of the Good Samaritan who reported him and the expertise of MMM’s team, this little seal may not have made it.
For now, his caretakers are thrilled with his progress. Every day brings new milestones — from stronger swims to louder vocalizations — and each one is a step closer to the day when he’ll once again call the open sea his home.
Until then, the once-stranded seal pup is enjoying a safe, happy childhood surrounded by people who believe in his strength. His fluffy lanugo may be unusual, but it also makes him unforgettable — a tiny miracle in white fur who is proving just how resilient nature can be.
