A juvenile male harbor seal found badly injured along the shoreline in Bradley Beach is receiving medical care at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center after being rescued on Tuesday.
Stranding center officials responded to a report of the injured animal lying on the beach at the 3rd Avenue jetty.
They found the seal suffering from a large open wound on his abdomen. The animal was lethargic with blood and foam visible around his mouth.
The seal was taken to the stranding center in Brigantine for emergency medical treatment. The team cleaned his wound and began providing supportive care through tube feeding with a mixture of formula and electrolytes.
During his medical examination, veterinary staff observed increased respiratory effort.
The seal coughed up thick discharge and worms, leading to an immediate diagnosis and treatment for lungworm, which are parasitic roundworms that infest the lungs and respiratory passages.
The team is monitoring for pneumonia, a common concern with lungworm infestations.
The 59-pound seal, the center’s first patient of the season, is receiving oral and topical medications to prevent infection in his abdominal wound, along with pain medication for comfort during recovery.
Stranding technicians are helping to feed the animal.
The seal is in stable condition, though his prognosis remains guarded due to the severity of his injuries.