Today we are mourning the passing of Stanley, a 3-year-old Gray seal. Stanley came to Como Zoo in February 2021 after being found stranded off the coast of Biddeford, ME. He was rescued by the Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Program with a piece of plastic twine wrapped around his neck causing an infected entanglement wound. Due to severe keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and corneal perforation, he was confirmed to be bilaterally blind and deemed unreleasable to the wild.
Through his short life, he battled with increased calcium deposits on the surface of his eye and was on twice daily medications administered during training sessions by his zookeepers. Stanley’s ongoing eye issues and calcium deposits on his corneas continued to trouble him. Como’s ophthalmologist described the mineral deposits as a feeling akin to blinking over sandpaper. Topical medications would clear up the deposits for a short time, but they would continue to regrow. The decision was made to try conjunctival grafts on his eyes. This would provide a protective covering over the surface of his eye that would not develop ulceration or mineral deposits the way his corneal surface had done and eliminate the need for the daily eye medication.
Seal anesthesia and surgery is a risky procedure as seals have anatomical and physiological adaptations to diving (breath holding) for long periods of time. A team of anesthesiologists from the University of Minnesota as well as two veterinarians (one an ophthalmic veterinarian) and multiple technicians worked with Como’s Aquatic Animal Zookeepers, Senior Zookeeper, and Veterinary Technician, to perform the procedure. The procedure to place conjunctival grafts on his eyes was a success, but when the team was ready to wake Stanley up, his monitored values showed that he had gone into a dive response, which includes slowing of the heart and shunting of blood away from his extremities. Despite all efforts, Stanley never woke up from surgery. The team is heart-broken, and Stanley will be greatly missed.