“Sealy Dan” is back in the wild and his release was adorable (VIDEO)

“Sealy Dan” — the seal named by YOU the Daily Hive audience — was released back into the wild on Wednesday in West Vancouver.

Readers will remember that the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre was at risk of not being able to reopen unless $125,000 was raised in less than two weeks. Putting at risk hundreds of marine animals in need of their emergency care. Working together, MMRC and Daily Hive raised more than $157,000 in less than 48 hours, and within days the centre began accepting new rescues.

As a thank you to Daily Hive’s audience, MMRC offered a seal for you all to name. And, after hundreds of submissions, a shortlist had to be curated by Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of the MMRC. In the end, “Sealy Dan” was selected by you to be this little guy’s name.

Sealy Dan was rescued as a pup on June 3, from a dock in Sooke, on Vancouver Island. When his mother did not return, after being observed for 48 hours, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) approved him to be rescued.

Sealy Dan

Little Sealy was one of the first rescues to be admitted to the newly reopened centre. And, once there, he made rapid progress. He gained weight quickly and showed his care team that he had the skills to swim free. Allowing the Centre to include him in the first release of 2020 this week — alongside other early rescues, Focarelli, Yuki and O’keana.

Although that’s the end of Sealy Dan’s journey at the Centre, the MMRC continues to need your help to provide care, treatment, medication, and support to rescued marine animals.

Sealy Dan

Support MMRC by adopting your seal pup, otter or turtle today!

For more information, visit rescue.ocean.org.