One grey pup, stranded in Manasquan, is being nursed back to health after being found with shark bites Watch video
BRIGANTINE -- Experts at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center are caring for several young seals found stranded along the Jersey Shore in recent days including a seal pup found with shark bite wounds.
The group is currently treating eight seals at the facility, the Brigantine-based center said in a Facebook post.
One grey seal pup, stranded in Manasquan, is being nursed back to health after being found with shark bites.
Bob Schoelkopf, MMSC's founding director, said the male pup was brought to the center on Mar. 26.
"It had deep lacerations that had to be sutured shut and there's a bone in the flipper that was exposed. We're hoping that does heal over," Schoelkopf told NJ Advance Media over the phone.
He said they're monitoring his condition to make sure he makes a full recovery.
The group posted photos of other seals on its page, including a lethargic adult harp found on Holgate Beach. Another adult harp seal, brought in from the National Aquarium from Baltimore, is expected to be released on Monday at Sandy Hook. The stranding center she gained 60 pounds since she was put under its care.
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Schoelkopf said the recovery time of each seal depends on the nature of the injuries and couldn't predict how long each would take before being released.
The exact location and time of the seal's release will be announced on Facebook, MMSC said.
Another seal that was expected to come from North Carolina had to be euthanized because it was too weak, Schoelkopf said.
The center said it has responded to more than 4,800 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles over the years in the state.
Last week, the group teamed up with the Coast Guard to release a stranded dolphin rescued from a Stone Harbor beach back into the sea.
That same day, firefighters helped carry another dolphin back into the ocean in North Wildwood.
Rajeev Dhir may be reached at rdhir@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @googasmammoo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.