SACO, Maine (AP) Rehabilitation facilities are reaching full capacity in Maine as investigators are still trying to determine what’s causing dead or stranded seals to wash ashore.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tells the Portland Press Herald 84 harbor seals were found dead or stranded on southern Maine beaches so far this month. Some have been found in New Hampshire.
That’s far above the 10-year average of 38 strandings in August. The NOAA says most of the dead and stranded seals have been pups.
Marine Mammals of Maine Executive Director Lynda Doughty says two stranded seals were taken in Tuesday, putting them at capacity.
She says out-of-state facilities are also full, which is unusual for this time of year.
The NOAA says it may be weeks before test results show what’s causing the die-offs
