Future National Geographic writer maybe?

 

Kimberly the harbor seal pup 

I got the incredible opportunity to help tube feed a seal today. Rosemary Seton, my interview contact who is the stranding coordinator of Allied Whale, emailed me this morning to come see  a seal that they had rescued last night. I showed up a little before Seton and I met Megan Krussman, a research assistant for Allied Whale’s cetacean team, and it was her first time tube feeding a seal too.

Seton arrived in the transport truck and unlocked the basement, leading us to where the seal was kept overnight. When we got in, we saw a lively (and adorable), gray spotted seal that took every ounce of my willpower to not cuddle with. While I stood bewildered by this wild animal so close to me, I learned she was more hurt than I realized, Krussman noticed that she wasn’t moving her left flipper and Seton told me the seal was very malnourished.

So Seton and Krussman set up a glucose/pedialyte concoction to hydrate the pup, feeding her through a tube down her throat. I was worried for the pup but Seton kept encouraging the seal saying, “this’ll make you feel better..see it’s not so bad..you’re doing so good,” and it settled my anxiousness for the seal.

It was clear that Seton loves these animals and saving them isn’t just a job, it’s her passion. After she was fed, I helped them transport her via crate to the truck where she’d make her trek over the next 3 hours to the rehabilitation center. They even let me name the seal Kimberly, after the restaurant she was found next to. I felt like a real journalist today, and I hope I can continue to do work where I feel like I make a difference.