A team from the Quebec Aquarium intervened in the Marina de Portneuf sector during the weekend to rescue a bearded seal which had been taken to task by a group of young people. The animal was captured and transported to Tadoussac to be given to the water.
The presence of the bearded seal on the banks of the St. Lawrence river had been reported for the first time to the Quebec emergency network for marine mammals (RQUMM) on Thursday, May 1.
Normally, the Abroadwhich brings together Quebec organizations responsible for intervening with marine mammals in difficulty or dead, would have waited for the animal to resume its way by itself.
Quebec aquarium specialists were called in reinforcement to capture the bearded seal and put it back in the water in the Tadoussac sector.
Photo: Gracieuse of Laetitia Desbordes
Events letting fear for its safety have led the organization to request the assistance of the Quebec Aquarium in order to capture it and release it in a more conducive environment.
According to the Abroadthe bearded seal, which has been wandering for a few days on the banks of the river, would have been repeatedly harassed by a group of young people during the day on Saturday. The animal would have been kicked in particular.
Intervention of the SQ
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) was called to the evening in the evening. The police force claims not to have seen anyone attacking the animal.
He seemed to have suffered injuries and had signs of aggressiveness.
open in full screen
The animal was given to water in Tadoussac.
Photo: Gracieuse of Laetitia Desbordes
The SQ mentions that there were indeed young people in the sector where the animal stood during his intervention, but there is no proven that they attacked the latter.
Rescue
Sunday morning, a team from the Quebec Aquarium made up of three people went to the Marina de Portneuf to rescue the animal.
-Seal capture was captured. We caught it with the net. Then, it was placed in a cage then we headed for the aquarium to make a small general examination to ensure that the animal was healthy
tells in an interview at Radio-Canada Marie-Pierre Lessard, director of conservation at the Quebec Aquarium.
Open in full screen
According to Marie-Pierre Lessard, the bearded seal distribution area is located in northern Canada, at the Arctic and Under-Neuve. (Archives photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Anne-Sophie Roy
She says that the seal presented some minor scratches in the previous fins, but nothing serious. No signs of illness or distress.
We made a disinfection to be sure that everything was correct and then we hit the road. We made a release in the corner of Tadoussac with the team of To come, Who was waiting for us on the spot. We released the animal with them
indicates Ms. Lessard.
Libération
She explains that it is a young male aged about a year who was lost, possibly following fish or after being carried away by the big tides.
The director of conservation at the Quebec aquarium mentions that at the time of her watering the bearded seal was alert
.
Open in full screen
The Quebec emergency network for marine mammals has received more than fifteen reports concerning the bearded seal between May 1 and its capture.
Photo: Gracieuse of Laetitia Desbordes
He looked happy to find a salt environment. It took about a minute, the time he gets out of his cage and then returned to swim freely in the water. So, we are really happy with the finality and so far, we are returned Tuesday, I have not heard of it. It’s been hoping that he has resumed his way
continues Marie-Pierre Lessard.
She invites anyone who would see a bearded seal or any other marine mammal to report her presence in Abroad by composing the 1,877,722-5346.
