A newborn harbor seal is found and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. (Photo by the Alaska SeaLife Center)

A newborn harbor seal is found and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. (Photo by the Alaska SeaLife Center)

Newborn seal pup transported to SeaLife Center in critical condition

The male harbor seal pup appeared to be abandoned at birth.

The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward admitted a newborn seal in critical condition on Thursday, according to a news release from the organization.

The male harbor seal pup appeared to be abandoned at birth when officials found him near Tonsina Creek Trail in Seward. The release stated that the pup showed signs of undergoing a difficult birth when the team found him after hiking for over an hour, as he was almost completely unresponsive and still had his mother’s placenta attached to him.

The SeaLife team is trying to stabilize the pup and treat him for malnourishment, dehydration and possible serious infection. As of Saturday, veterinarians were still trying to understand the severity of the animal’s condition.

The SeaLife Center plans to release an update on the newborn pup after the team has a chance to monitor and examine the pup further.

each reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

A newborn harbor seal is found and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. (Photo by the Alaska SeaLife Center)

A newborn harbor seal is found and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. (Photo by the Alaska SeaLife Center)

More in News

The northern lights are seen from the North Douglas launch ramp late Monday, Jan. 19. A magnetic storm caused unusually bright northern lights Monday evening and into Tuesday morning. (Chloe Anderson/Juneau Empire)
Rare geomagnetic storm causes powerful aurora display in Juneau

The northern lights were on full display Monday evening.

teaser
Juneau activists ask Murkowski to take action against ICE

A small group of protesters attended a rally and discussion on Wednesday.

A female brown bear and her cub are pictured near Pack Creek on Admiralty Island on July 19, 2024. (Chloe Anderson for the Juneau Empire)
Pack Creek permits for bear viewing area available now

Visitors are welcome from April 1 to Sept. 30.

Cars pass down Egan Drive near the Fred Meyer intersection Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Safety changes planned for Fred Meyer intersection

DOTPF meeting set for Feb. 18 changes to Egan Drive and Yandukin intersection.

Herbert River and Herbert Glacier are pictured on Nov. 16, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Forest Service drops Herbert Glacier cabin plans, proposes trail reroute and scenic overlook instead

The Tongass National Forest has proposed shelving long-discussed plans to build a… Continue reading

A tsunami is not expected after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake northwest of Anchorage Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (U.S. Geological Survey)
No tsunami expected after 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Alaska

U.S. Geological Survey says 179 people reported feeling the earthquake.

ORCA Adaptive Snowsports Program staff member Izzy Barnwell shows a man how to use the bi-ski. (SAIL courtesy photo)
Adaptive snow sports demo slides to Eaglecrest

Southeast Alaska Independent Living will be hosting Learn to Adapt Day on Feb. 21.

Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)
Alaska’s ferry system could run out of funding this summer due to ‘federal chaos problem’

A shift in state funding could help, but a big gap likely remains unless a key federal grant is issued.

Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan stands with acting Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday during the after the commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard icebreaker Storis on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska.
Coast Guard’s new Juneau base may not be complete until 2029, commandant says

Top Coast Guard officer says he is considering whether to base four new icebreakers in Alaska.

Most Read