Charlestown, R.I. ― A rehabilitated seal named Cranberry by its Mystic Aquarium caretakers was released into the waters at Blue Shutters Beach Wednesday morning.

The seal hesitantly poked its head out of its crate, then tested a flipper on the sand before eventually leaving the crate and pulling itself toward the water.

The seal had been at the aquarium for five months.

On June 30, the aquarium’s animal rescue program received a report about a lethargic and malnourished seal, approximately six months old, that was stranded on the remote North Light location on Block Island.

The aquarium joined forces with first responders and the local community to rescue the seal, a multi-day process due to its remote location.

Once at the aquarium they discovered that Cranberry’s hind flipper had a severe wound and bone infection. They also found puncture wounds and a respiratory infection.

Later a specialist from Pieper Memorial Veterinary Hospital in Middletown worked with aquarium veterinarians on a partial digit amputation to one of seal’s hind flippers.