Rehabbed Seals Return To The Ocean At Robert Moses Beach

WEST ISLIP, NY — West Islip community members helped "seal the deal" for a couple of rehabilitated seal pups making their way back into the ocean in late June.

The pups successfully made their way back to open water thanks to members of the Manetuck Elementary School community in the West Islip Union Free School District on June 20.

The seals returned back to the waters at Robert Moses Beach thanks to the efforts of students, staff and members of the school’s community service club. The school sponsored two seals that were rescued earlier this year by the New York Marine Rescue Center.

The male seal pup was rescued on the Outer Beach at Smith’s Point with a thin white rope around its neck on April 5.

The female gray pup was discovered at Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk on May 28 and was entangled in fishing line.

For the Manetuck community’s efforts, they had the opportunity to name the seals. The students chose Kyle and Matthew, a tribute to two West Islip students who tragically lost their lives last year.

The community service club has raised close to $100,000 during the past 19 years to help rehabilitate sea animals.