Hundreds of seals die on the coast of New England



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Deaths of gray seals and harbor seals, many more than usual, have been attributed to viruses related to distemper and influenza.

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From left to right, Sarah Demelo, Jennifer Thorne and Erinn Hasselgrinn, volunteers at the New England Aquarium, are preparing to collect the carcass of a harbor seal for an autopsy.CreditCreditNew England Aquarium

Harbor seals and gray seals die in the hundreds, from southern Maine to northern Massachusetts, apparently due to a combination of a disease resembling that of measles and influenza.

At the end of last month, the federal government said that the summer seal toll was an "unusual mortality event," meaning that federal resources would be provided to help understand and manage deaths.

The teams responded to more than 600 reported cases of gray seals and dead or dying seals, but there are likely others that are not reported or stranded on private property, said Mike Asaro, chief of the service of marine mammals and sea turtles. and atmospheric administration (NOAA). "The total could reach 1,000 at this point. We just do not know, "he said.

Marine mammal stranders are still waiting to find sick and dead animals at this time of year, as a percentage of newborns fail to develop after weaning. But the carcasses on New England's beaches reveal an epidemic that affects all ages, says Katie Pugliares-Bonner, senior biologist and necropsy coordinator at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

"It's something that was a big concern – not just the volume, but the variety of age classes," she said.

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A female about three months old, in August, at the Maine Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center. CreditBrianna Soukup / Portland Press Herald, via Getty Images
Dead seals in Harpswell, Maine on September 5th.CreditMaine Marine Mammals

It is theoretically possible, but unlikely that viruses will leap species, noted Dr. Goldstein, and dogs are known to give seals disease, although the opposite has not been observed.

[To report a stranded or dead seal, call 866-755-NOAA.]

"It's hard to see people interfering with animals that are not doing well," said Doughty, whose team has responded to more than 400 stranded animals in the past month, including 30 on September 2nd alone. "These are the ones who show up on the populated beaches for which you feel bad. The stress of having people around is not really helpful. "

Although her Massachusetts stranding team has seen fewer animals dying and dead this week, Ms. Pugliares-Bonner said September is usually the busiest month, with weaning and change seasons.

"I do not think we're still aware of it," she said. "I'm afraid we're on a small plateau and we can see another peak – but it's hard to say."

The harbor seal and the gray seal have performed well in recent years and none of the species are endangered, said Dr. Goldstein.

"It's really sad when you see a lot of people affected and dying, but in the long run, the population should recover," she said.

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