NEWS

Lily the seal pup healthy again, ready for release

Rachael Pacella
rpacella@dmg.gannett.com
A photo of Lily.

A grey seal pup rescued at Bethany Beach this Easter with a broken jaw is finally healthy enough to be returned to the wild.

Her name is Lily.

After being captured by Lewes' Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute she went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for rehabilitation. Her jaw has now healed, without the need for surgery, and she has gained more than 12 pounds.

During the past two months Lily was fed a diet of herring and capelin, according to the aquarium. The aquarium's team also provided foraging activities for Lily so she could work on her hunting skills.

Her release, which will be the 150th for the aquarium, is open to the public. It is scheduled for June 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Assateague State Park.

Visitors should park in the day use lot, cross the boardwalk to the beach and walk south to the release site, which is marked.

Lily sets her sights on some fish at the National Aquairum in Baltimore.

rpacella@dmg.gannett.com

443-210-8126

On Twitter @rachaelpacella