2 pasta-named seal pups released back into the ocean after rehabilitation
Two seal pups named after unique Italian pasta shapes are serving up a major comeback.
The Guadalupe fur seal pups, named Campanelli and Orecchiette, were released back into the ocean after three months of rehabilitation, according to a marine wildlife hospital in Washington.
The pups were found off the coast of Washington, severely underweight and minimally responsive, where wildlife responders brought them to Des Moines-based marine wildlife hospital Sealife Response + Rehab + Research (SR3).
They were about 1-year-old when found -- a boy and a girl, according to SR3.
Casey Mclean, the executive director of SR3, told ABC News that the pups were emaciated and malnourished when found.
"They came in extremely emaciated and just very sick. They had no energy and were just kind of lifeless. And it took a while and some pretty intensive care at first to get them back up to where they were gaining weight and acting like normal fur seals," Mclean said.
Guadalupe fur seals are native to Guadalupe Island in Mexico, where they return to breed and give birth every year, but they travel all over the West Coast offshore, even to Canada, according to SR3.
Everyone was ecstatic when the pups were released, according to SR3.
"That's the best part of what we do is being able to watch them run free and just run back out into those waves. And they start jumping and diving. And it's just, it's heartwarming to watch them go back out and be part of that ecosystem that we all really value," Mclean said.
SR3 noted that if you see injured wildlife to call wildlife experts instead of trying to rescue the animal on your own.
"One thing we always like to tell the public is, if they see a marine mammal and they're concerned, always call the experts. Don't try and take matters into your own hands. It's dangerous for them and dangerous for the animal because they don't get the care they need," Mclean said.
