PHIPPSBURG, Maine — Nearly 100 people packed onto Head Beach in Phippsburg on Thursday morning to see two seals be released back into Casco Bay.
Dexxy, a gray seal pup that gained fame after he was found stranded by a plow truck driver during a January snowstorm, and Sunshine, also found stranded in a Cape Elizabeth neighborhood, were released after spending about three months rehabilitating with Marine Mammals of Maine.
"We’re thrilled that both are now healthy enough to return to the wild, where we hope they will thrive back in their own environment," Lynda Doughty, executive director of MMoME, said.
According to Doughty, both seals required around-the-clock care while rehabbing. After learning to eat fish, the two seals spent the last few weeks in a larger enclosure and eventually started eating about six pounds of fish per day.
A team from MMoME carried the seals in carrying cages to be released. After the cages were opened, both seals were hesitant to venture outside. But after about 10 minutes and some coaxing from staff, they started a slow walk to the water.
"They take their time because they're weary of people being around and making sure that they're safe, so their release time takes a bit longer," Doughty said.
"The male has a satellite tag, so we can keep track of the animal in real-time," Doughty said.
He added that the satellite tag provides essential data on the animal's habitat and movement, which can help with future rescues and releases.
Doughty said MMoME has three additional gray seals rehabilitating at its facility. Two of them are expected to be released in two to three weeks.