‘Harvey Cedars’ seal returns to the wild with high-tech tracking after 8-week recovery
After spending eight weeks in specialized care, she has reached a healthy weight of 73 pounds
In a tribute to Earth Day, a local celebrity who once stopped traffic in the middle of a blizzard has officially returned to the Atlantic Ocean.
The gray seal, known as #26-011 (or “Harvey Cedars”), was released Tuesday at the North Brigantine Natural Area. Her journey back to the wild follows a dramatic rescue and a two-month road to recovery.
The young seal first gained fame after stranding herself in the middle of Long Beach Boulevard during a winter blizzard. When she was first rescued, she was suffering from malnutrition and a respiratory infection.
After spending eight weeks in specialized care, she has reached a healthy weight of 73 pounds. Before her release, experts tagged her right rear flipper with the number “13” for future identification.
This release marks a significant milestone for local marine researchers. Through a partnership with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, “Harvey Cedars” has been outfitted with both satellite and acoustic tags to monitor her life after rehabilitation.
The satellite tag attached to her back is a temporary device that will provide real-time data on her movements, dives and resting patterns. It should naturally fall off during her next molting season.
The acoustic tag attached to her rear flipper is a long-term tracker that will ping underwater receivers throughout the mid- and North Atlantic, allowing scientists to follow her journey for years to come.
The tracking project will provide invaluable data on how seals transition back to the wild after hospital stays. Supporters and fans won’t have to wonder where she is for long—updates on her post-rehabilitation movements are expected to be shared on a weekly basis.
“We simply could not do this work without the supporters who gave this seal a second chance at life,” rescuers shared. “Happy Earth Day!”
