Ivy, right, and Aster, two of a trio of rehabilitated harbor seal pups released by staff and volunteers from the Mystic Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program, make their way to the water Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, RI. The pups; Aster, Azalea and Ivy, are believed to have been abandoned shortly after birth in Rhode Island and Maine. Following months of rehabilitation and care in Mystic the three seals, now approximately 4 – 5 months old and weighing around 50 pounds each, are healthy and prepared for life at sea. Aster was rescued in North Kingstown, RI, and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 4. Azalea was rescued in Harpswell, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 22. Ivy was rescued in East Boothbay Harbor, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on July 20. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Buy Photo Reprints

Nicole Burnett, left, a former summer intern at the Mystic Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program releases Ivy, one of a trio of rehabilitated harbor seal pups Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, RI. The pups; Aster, Azalea and Ivy, are believed to have been abandoned shortly after birth in Rhode Island and Maine. Following months of rehabilitation and care in Mystic the three seals, now approximately 4 – 5 months old and weighing around 50 pounds each, are healthy and prepared for life at sea. Aster was rescued in North Kingstown, RI, and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 4. Azalea was rescued in Harpswell, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 22. Ivy was rescued in East Boothbay Harbor, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on July 20. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Buy Photo Reprints

Spectators watch as staff and volunteers from the Mystic Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program release a trio of rehabilitated harbor seal pups Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, RI. The pups; Aster, Azalea and Ivy, are believed to have been abandoned shortly after birth in Rhode Island and Maine. Following months of rehabilitation and care in Mystic the three seals, now approximately 4 – 5 months old and weighing around 50 pounds each, are healthy and prepared for life at sea. Aster was rescued in North Kingstown, RI, and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 4. Azalea was rescued in Harpswell, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 22. Ivy was rescued in East Boothbay Harbor, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on July 20. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Buy Photo Reprints

Ivy, one of a trio of rehabilitated harbor seal pups released by staff and volunteers from the Mystic Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program, swims in the crashing surf Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, RI. The pups; Aster, Azalea and Ivy, are believed to have been abandoned shortly after birth in Rhode Island and Maine. Following months of rehabilitation and care in Mystic the three seals, now approximately 4 – 5 months old and weighing around 50 pounds each, are healthy and prepared for life at sea. Aster was rescued in North Kingstown, RI, and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 4. Azalea was rescued in Harpswell, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 22. Ivy was rescued in East Boothbay Harbor, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on July 20. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Buy Photo Reprints

Spectators watch as Ivy, right, and Azalea, two of a trio of rehabilitated harbor seal pups released by staff and volunteers from the Mystic Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program linger at the water's edge Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, RI. The pups; Aster, Azalea and Ivy, are believed to have been abandoned shortly after birth in Rhode Island and Maine. Following months of rehabilitation and care in Mystic the three seals, now approximately 4 – 5 months old and weighing around 50 pounds each, are healthy and prepared for life at sea. Aster was rescued in North Kingstown, RI, and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 4. Azalea was rescued in Harpswell, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 22. Ivy was rescued in East Boothbay Harbor, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on July 20. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Buy Photo Reprints

Staff and volunteers from the Mystic Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Program carry Ivy, one of a trio of rehabilitated harbor seal pups, over the sea wall onto Blue Shutters Beach Thursday, September 21, 2017 in Charlestown, RI. The pups; Aster, Azalea and Ivy, are believed to have been abandoned shortly after birth in Rhode Island and Maine. Following months of rehabilitation and care in Mystic the three seals, now approximately 4 – 5 months old and weighing around 50 pounds each, are healthy and prepared for life at sea. Aster was rescued in North Kingstown, RI, and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 4. Azalea was rescued in Harpswell, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 22. Ivy was rescued in East Boothbay Harbor, ME by the Marine Mammals of Maine and transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on July 20. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Buy Photo Reprints