Popcorn Park Cares for Stranded Seal

Popcorn Park Zoo cared for one of the numerous seals that have been found resting on Jersey Shore beaches of late.

Popcorn Park received a call on March 11 from a Waretown resident who reported a stranded seal was washed up on the bay beach behind her home.

When Popcorn Park officials arrived at the scene, the seal had no apparent injuries.

General Manager John Bergmann emailed photos to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The center determined that the seal looked healthy and reported numerous harp seals that were coming on beaches.

“Most of them are coming down this way from Maine and with the nor'easter coming in the ocean is pretty rough and makes it a tough swim for them. When they get here, they look for a sheltered beach to rest on,” Bergmann said.

It is common for seals to rest on the beach for up to 24 hours, Bergmann said.

Popcorn Park continued to check on the seal periodically throughout the day. She moved several times but did not go to the water, Bergmann said.

“When I checked on her about 5 p.m., she was moving around a bit more and stretching her flippers and tail like she was getting ready to go. She did, she started towards the water, stopped, looked back at us, and rolled on her side and went to sleep,” Bergmann said.

Homeowners checked on her throughout the night and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said not to be worried unless she was still on the beach the following morning, Bergmann said.

The seal was still on the beach the following morning but Bergmann said she looked much better from the previous day.

“It scared me, but when I went down next to her, she popped her head up and looked much better and more alert,” Bergmann said.

Not long after, the seal flopped, went into the bay, and headed for the inlet, Bergmann said.

This is not the first time a seal was spotted at the Jersey Shore. Patch reported on three other seals arriving from January to March. Read the following stories:

Popcorn Park Zoo is based in Lacey Township and is a part of the . It is a home for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused, or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals, and birds.

The shelter in Forked River houses 75 to 100 dogs at any given time as well as approximately 150 cats. Popcorn Park Zoo is home to about 200 animals.