MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

By Charles McMahon – “PORTSMOUTH — An official from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday the count of dead harbor seals found along the New England coastline since September is now 94.

Meddy Garron, regional marine mammal stranding coordinator for NOAA, said the investigation into the seal deaths has led biologists to trace back reports of animals washing ashore since Sept. 1. Garron said officials chose that date because they have determined a noticeable spike in seal deaths since that time.

‘We are documenting an increased number of harbor seal strandings,’ she said.

All of the seals have washed ashore along the coast ranging from the North Shore of Massachusetts to the southern portion of Maine, said Garron.The majority of the animals are considered the ‘young of the year,’ said Garron.

Biologists have yet to determine the reason for the deaths and are patiently awaiting results of necropsies conducted on the carcasses.

‘We’re still not sure what’s going on,’ Garron said.

Investigators have ruled out foul play and are focusing efforts on whether pathogens are playing a part in the surge in seal deaths over the last few weeks.” Read more.