Vancouver Aquarium rescue group ‘hoping for the best’ after rescuing first seal pup of the season
Posted May 30, 2025 6:51 pm.
Last Updated May 30, 2025 6:56 pm.
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) says it is “cautiously optimistic” about the recovery of its first rescued harbour seal pup of the 2025 season.
Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of the society’s rescue centre, says the male pup was found on the beach in White Rock “alone, emaciated, and hypothermic” on Tuesday evening.
“A member of the public called in when they were observing a harbour seal pup just off White Rock beach,” she told 1130 NewsRadio. “We sent a team down to check out the situation and see if it was actually a harbour seal that needed to come into our rescue facility.”
The pup — who has been given the name Zeus — was underweight and cold when the team found him.
He was also still covered in lanugo — a white, furry coat that the animals usually lose in utero before they are born.
“That usually indicates an early birth with harbour seal pups,” Akhurst said.
“So we knew the animal did need come into our rescue center for care.”
The team is working to stabilize the young pup.
“He’s come around quite a bit. He’s getting tube-fed right now, six times a day,” she said.
“He’s also getting supplementary fluids to help with the dehydration.”
Zeus is showing some good signs of recovery.
“We are seeing some improvements,” Akhurst said.
“But you never know with these little guys, what their status will be in the next few days, so we are just hoping for the best.”
Zeus was named through VAMMR’s Name a Seal program. The society says the program allows members of the public to make a minimum donation and then have the opportunity to name a seal pup and track its rescue progress.
— With files from Michelle Meiklejohn.
