Baby Seal Takes Tour of Connecticut City, Finds New Home

Foodies looking for the perfect slice of New Haven, Connecticut, style pizza often head to the city’s Chapel Street. It leads to the Wooster Square neighborhood that’s home to top choices like Sally’s, Frank Pepe’s, or Bar. Perhaps that’s where a hungry baby seal was going when it was rescued from the middle of Chapel Street last Tuesday.  

“We assumed he was here to try the clam pizza but I can’t confirm that," New Haven police (NHPD) spokesperson Christian Bruckhart told The Associated Press. He added, "We’re just happy he’s safe." 

Experts at the nearby Mystic Aquarium say it’s more likely the skinny little grey seal pup wandered into the human world trying to avoid larger seals that might hurt it. The 6-week-old seal was underfed and scared. Aquarium staff drove the pup an hour up I-95 to join the other seals in its facilities. 

Baby grey seals generally weigh about 50 pounds at six weeks. The New Haven pup was at 28 when he was recovered. Veterinarians at the aquarium say the top priority is getting the seal used to its new home. There, it will rest and chow down on plenty of fish until it’s ready to return to the wild. The process could take months.   

New Haven police assure him that he’s got friends on the force. In a picture of the pup posted to X, the NHPD proclaimed, “Meet the newest addition to the department!”  

Reflect: What are some reasons a wild animal might end up in an unexpected place?

Photo of gray seal courtesy the New Haven Police Department on X.