Connecticut

Chappy, a beloved gray seal, dies weeks after rescue on Connecticut street

Published

10 months ago

March 4, 2025

Chappy, a beloved gray seal, dies weeks after rescue on Connecticut street

A seal pup whose urban rescue tugged at the nation’s heartstrings on social media in mid-February has died, a Connecticut aquarium said Monday.

The New Haven Police Department found Chappy, a gray seal pup, roaming the streets of the city in mid-February, a long way from the safe waters off the Atlantic coast. The pup was promptly treated at Mystic Aquarium for dehydration, malnutrition and mild pneumonia but died as his gastrointestinal issues became too severe, the aquarium said.

“A complete necropsy was conducted, and findings are consistent with mesenteric torsion, meaning that his intestines were twisted around the mesentery, cutting off blood supply to a large portion of the gastrointestinal tract,” according to the aquarium. “This condition can be challenging to diagnose and has a poor prognosis.”

The seal pup is one of many animals whose mysterious discoveries far afield from their natural habitats puzzled veterinarians. Among the cases are an alligator in New York State, a loose bobcat in Georgia and flamingos west of the Mississippi River.

“The reality of working with stranded animals can be tough sometimes, but Chappy was surrounded by love until the very end,” Mystic Aquarium wrote.

‘Chappy’ roamed city looking for pizza – maybe

Police found Chappy in downtown New Haven after getting a call for a possibly injured seal pup, Officer Christian Bruckhart previously told USA TODAY. He joked the aquatic animal was searching for clam pizza, and later said the pup was transported to Mystic, about 55 miles east of New Haven for rehabilitation.

The police department enlisted the public’s help to name the pup. It was affectionately named Chappy after it was reported the seal was found on Chapel Street, NBC Connecticut reported.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that a gray seal is native to the North Atlantic and can be found in coastal waters. It’s also a federally protected animal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Aquarium staff estimated Chappy to be a few weeks old and was seen roaming in several other towns before being picked up in New Haven. According to the aquarium, Chappy weighed 28 pounds, just 7 pounds less than what a newborn gray seal typically weighs.

“The goal for this seal, along with every other rescued marine mammal and sea turtle patient, is to release the seal back to its ocean home once he is healthy and strong,” the aquarium previously said on Facebook.

The aquarium shared Chappy’s health updates on Facebook. Staff said his immune system had signs of weakness and that he would be on a long road to recovery as he fought pneumonia and the gastrointestinal issues. The gut issues, however, became too severe and Chappy later passed away.

Staff made a troubling discovery in the necropsy, finding small pieces of plastic in Chappy’s stomach. The Center for Biological Diversity, a marine welfare nonprofit, estimated that by 2050, plastic will outweigh all fish if pollution remains at its current rate. Currently, plastic makes up nearly 40% of the world’s ocean surfaces.

Animals found far from their habitats

Chappy isn’t the only animal discovered away from its natural habitat in the U.S.

After Hurricane Idalia slammed Florida in 2023, flamingos were spotted in nearly 20 states. Scientists believe the birds migrated due to the storm’s winds but weren’t certain about the birds’ future. Some flew back to the Yucatan Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico, while others lingered in Florida and several other states.

Florida has also continually encouraged residents to hunt Burmese and reticulated pythons – called the Python Challenge – as the snakes are invasive to the state, threatening the Sunshine State’s wildlife. The challenge gives registered participants a monetary incentive for capturing the invasive animals.

In New York State, a man spotted an alligator in the Minisceongo Creek. Authorities relocated the reptile to Mark Perpetua’s Reptile Encounters, an educational facility focused on animals like alligators. The owner, Mark Perpetua, said the alligator isn’t native to New York and is typically found in the south.

“People are able to get them, bring them into New York without a license and when they get too big if they can’t find a home, they occasionally end up in places where they don’t belong,” Perpetua previously told USA TODAY.

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @krystalrnuse.bsky.social.

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Connecticut

Connecticut doctor warns about ‘super flu’ as holiday gatherings approach

Published

10 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Connecticut doctor warns about ‘super flu’ as holiday gatherings approach

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Doctors are voicing concerns on the rising number of flu cases, including a new strain some are referring to as the “super flu,” as many are gathering indoors with loved ones for the holiday season.

With Christmas just a week away, Dr. Ulysses Wu, the chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said there are growing concerns over the new H3N2 flu strain.

“We had a very late flu season this year, but we’re making up for it like gang busters,” Dr. Wu said. “What’s happening with this one is, this has changed a bit, making it a little bit more infectious. It invades our immune system a little bit more, and that’s why we’re seeing a rise in cases.”

The most notable jump in the U.S. has been happening in New York City, with 14,000 cases reported in the first week of December. That is a 460% jump from the same time last year, according to the state flu tracker.

Dr. Wu warned that, because of its location, Connecticut is at risk to see a jump in flu cases.

“Remember, we’re sandwiched between New York and Boston, and we do have our share of travelers and commuters as well,” Dr. Wu said. “Our rates have certainly increased and that’s to be expected.”

Dr. Wu recommended that it is best to listen to medical professionals when it comes to the flu vaccine and the new H3N2 strain.

“So people are saying, ‘Oh well it’s changed, the vaccine isn’t going to work.’ It is still going to work,” Dr. Wu explained. “The whole point is to modulate the course of the disease so it’s not as severe.

Dr. Wu said that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also up among children and older adults in Connecticut. When it comes to holiday celebrations, Dr. Wu recommends using common sense — wash your hands, stay home if you are sick and get vaccinated if you haven’t been already.

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Connecticut

Lamont Seeks $168M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid

Published

22 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Lamont Seeks 8M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont has submitted a plan to Connecticut legislative leaders to withdraw nearly $168 million from a newly created Emergency State Response Reserve to offset recent federal funding delays and reductions affecting health and human services programs.

The proposal, totaling $167.9 million, marks the first time Lamont has sought to access the reserve, which was established in November under Special Act 25-1. The fund contains $500 million in state surplus dollars and was created in anticipation of potential federal funding reductions.

According to the administration, the proposed expenditures would help reduce health insurance costs for more than 150,000 residents, provide food assistance to more than 35,000 people and help keep approximately 3,500 individuals housed.

The plan includes funding to bolster food banks and pantries affected by changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, replace expiring enhanced health insurance subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act, and provide interim support for homelessness prevention programs facing federal grant delays. It also would cover lost federal reimbursements for services provided by Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and expand capacity at the state’s 2-1-1 information and referral system.

“We should be supporting programs that increase access to food, healthcare, and homelessness prevention and response,” Lamont said in a statement. “Here in Connecticut we will stand behind them and do what we can to ensure that this most basic assistance remains available.”

Office of Policy and Management Interim Secretary Joshua Wojcik said the funding would help close gaps created by federal actions while supporting vulnerable residents.

“This is a responsible use of taxpayer resources to support our most vulnerable residents,” Wojcik said, adding that the administration continues to assess additional needs.

Under the proposal, $24.6 million would go to community food banks and pantries through June 2027, while $64.1 million would replace expiring enhanced premium tax credits for residents enrolled in Covered Connecticut. Another $50.8 million would address the loss of enhanced federal health insurance subsidies for certain income groups.

Additional allocations include $6.9 million for expiring homelessness grants and supportive housing vouchers, $10.4 million to replace lost federal funding for Planned Parenthood services and Title X programs, $4.7 million to expand 2-1-1 call center capacity and community outreach, and $1.5 million for administrative costs at the Department of Social Services.

As required by law, bipartisan legislative leaders have 24 hours after receiving the plan to review it and, if they choose, disapprove the proposed expenditures before funds are transferred.

If approved, $332 million would remain in the Emergency State Response Reserve. The governor is authorized to make withdrawals from the fund through Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the next regular legislative session.

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