MYSTIC, Conn., — April 24, 2013 — That is the choice of more than 8,000 people who cast votes on what Mystic Aquarium should name a rehabilitated harbor seal pup that the National Marine Fisheries Service says the aquarium can now care for permanently because its injuries would threaten its survival in the wild.
Voters were asked to choose from five harbor names suggested by aquarium volunteers who have cared for the seal: Coral, Grace, Hope, Madison and Mystic.
Until now the nine-month-old female harbor seal, whose left flipper had to be amputated after suffering a life-threatening infection, has been known as Pup 49.
The seal arrived at the aquarium's Seal Rescue Clinic in July after being rescued by New England Aquarium 10 days earlier in Plymouth, Mass.
She had a respiratory ailment and a swollen left rear flipper. Despite intensive treatment for the flipper, the seal developed a life-threatening infection in its bone and ankle joint that continued to worsen.