Chappy, a baby seal found on a New Haven street last month that was rehabbing at the Mystic Aquarium, has died after acute digestive issues.
Mystic Aquarium said the seal was being treated for pneumonia and gastrointestinal issues last week.
The baby seal was transferred to an animal rescue clinic after his condition deteriorated. Initially hopeful of Chappy’s full recovery, the aquarium said the issues began after they switched him to a whole fish diet.
A necropsy revealed the animal’s intestines had twisted, cutting off blood supply to his gastrointestinal tract. Pieces of plastic were also found in his stomach.
“Unfortunately, despite all the efforts, his gastrointestinal issues were too severe to treat, and he succumbed to his disease,” officials said.
“The Mystic Aquarium staff are proud that they were able to give Chappy the best chance possible and are devastated by this outcome. The reality of working with stranded animals can be tough sometimes, but Chappy was surrounded by love until the very end,” Mystic Aquarium said on Facebook.
The seal was first spotted near a New Haven restaurant last month after wandering from a beach. An animal rescue team from Mystic Aquarium responded to the scene and took the seal back to the beach, but he returned to the city’s streets a day later.
He was taken to Mystic Aquarium to rehab after an exam showed the seal was underweight and dehydrated.