Resident Takes to Social Media to Help a Stranded Seal in Port Jeff

Humans weren’t the only species enjoying the great weather on Port Jefferson beaches over the weekend. On Saturday, a marine life rescue organization responded to a call from a local resident who spotted a stranded seal while boating in .

Sharon Philbrick was in Port Jefferson harbor when she noticed others pointing to a small seal on the beach. Smart phone at the ready, Philbrick took to social media to ask for help.

“There is a seal in distress in Pirates Cove,” she wrote on Facebook sharing the status on Port Jefferson Patch’s page. “Does anyone have a contact to help?”

Several responses came in including one from Debbie Rosengard who suggested she call . The aquarium is home to the Riverhead Foundation, a rescue organization that assists with stranded marine life that washes up on beaches all over Long Island.

Recently, the Riverhead Foundation helped two seals named and go back home to the ocean from Port Jefferson’s in an education partnership with local schools.

Philbrick looked up the number on her smart phone and called the Foundation.

Two representatives came out to inspect the seal. After taking photos they determined that the seal was a one to two month old pup that probably got separated from its mother. After fifteen minutes the seal swam back into the water and disappeared into the harbor. The specialists said that at two months old, a seal is weaned from its mother and can survive on its own if it had to.

Philbrick’s husband Michael is the owner of .

And although it would be kind of cool, he confirmed that this seal is not inspiring a new brew.

“There are currently no plans for a Stranded Seal Stout,” he said.

If you spot a marine animal washed up on the shore anywhere on Long Island call the Riverhead Foundation hotline at (631) 369-9829.

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