Connecticut
Chappy, a beloved gray seal, dies weeks after rescue on Connecticut street
Adorable grey seal pup loses his way, found wandering the street
A grey seal pup was spotted wandering the streets of New Haven. He’s being cared for by Mystic Aquarium staff and will be released back to the wild.
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.
Neighbors who live in the Elm City’s Fair Haven neighborhood might notice a change of scenery at Quinnipiac River Park.
With city planning and a $250,000 state grant, the walkways were paved, water fountains were installed, and the riverbank was improved to prevent erosion.
It’s come a long way since the area was an industrial site in the 1960s.
“Decades and decades ago, this was a junkyard and it’s just shocking to see what is here now, this beautiful site,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said.
The area eventually became a park that saw a massive cleanup a few years ago. What was once a dump is now frequented by visitors young and old, on wheels and on four legs.
“I’d be the only guy running laps around ad now morning, night, afternoon, there’s people running, there’s people having picnics,” neighbor Eric Murray said.
Elicker said a nicer park with lighting and clean, open space can make visitors feel safe.
“People are less likely to engage in crime if they think that there’s a lot of people to witness and they could get caught,” he said.
The work isn’t done yet. Future plans include picnic tables, a new patio area and welcome gardens. The walkways will become a part of a trail that goes around Fair Haven, according to the mayor.
That requires more funding and the continued work of neighbors who have been keeping the park clean.
The Friends of Quinnipiac River Park take pride in maintaining the beauty here by planting flowers and trees, taking care of them in every season.
“I love planting, especially for the neighborhood,” Sadi Vidro, a member of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park. “I saw the, the outcome of it and that’s what keeps me going.”
Some trees are decorated with a cross and a message that might stop you on your walk. One tree is planted in memory of Michael Caliz.
“Our friend Rita, this is a tree she planted in memory of her son and Rita comes back faithfully every year,” Tom Burwell, the founder of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park, said. “She’s definitely has taken ownership in the tree and she’s become a staple. She’s been like a mom to us in the group as well.”
Phase one of the project is complete. Concept plans for phase 2 focus on the northern end of the park.
Several Connecticut swimming areas are closed due to the potential of bacteria in the water.
The heavy rain over the past few days is the reason for the concern.
Swimming is prohibited at the West Beach at Rocky Neck State Park, Sherwood Island State Park, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth.
Water testing at those state parks will be redone on Wednesday with results back on Thursday.
Clinton has also suspended swimming and other water activities at its town beach until further notice. The beach remains open and all other amenities are available, according to the town.
There is no swimming allowed at all Stratford beaches until Friday, according to the Stratford Health Department.
The East Shore Health Department says beaches in East Haven, as well as Clark/Johnson Beach, Stony Creek, and Branford Point in Branford are also closed to swimming. Water samples are being taken on Wednesday and the results are expected on Thursday.
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