The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-04
SEALS SCARCE NOWADAYS
HARD TO GET THEM AND HARD
TO KEEP THEM ALIVE.
A Dissertation From DIR. Townsend,
the Expert of the City's Aquarium,
Provoked by the Finding of Lone
Mammal on Long Island Beach By
Patrolman Of Life-Saving Service.

A seal was found on the beach at
Southampton last night by William B.
Bennett, a member Of the life-saving
crew. Inc ola fishermen there say
that this is the first seal they've seen
for forty years.
Years ago these marine carnivorous
mammals of the sub order Pinnipedis
often visited the Long Island beaches
in the winter and spring, when 1t got
too cold for them up North. They
used even to find their way in New
York Harbor and flop out on Robins
Reef opposite Staten Island to bask
in the sun. But whether it is de-
cadence of the musical comedy here
abouts, or whether the novelty of the
skyscrapers has worn off the ency-
cloraedia says seals "have much Gu
riosity, and are attracted by musical
sounds'), or whether it is the fear Of
the Fur Trust, the fact is that seals
don't come here any more.
Charles H. Townsend, director OF the
Aquarium, put the blame on the fish
crnlen up in Maine, where these seals
come from. A lively young l'hnca
vitulina, it seems, would get into 4
gill-net, or pound-net, or weir,
and then give a realistic imitation OF
a freshman scrambling like an egg
1t was great for the lively young seal.
Mr. Townsend explained, and en- ter-
tanning, Of course, for the other fishes
In the net, but was rather tough on
the fisherman. Business was business
for him, and he did not propose to fur
nish free either ca,isthenics for young
seals or vaudeville for fishes
Two States Give Bounties.
AS consequence, the voice Of the
fisherman was loud in the land, ana
on the sea, protesting against the fur
Their activities of young seals, and of
fering of blood money for their de-
struction, whether active or not. The
result was that the State offered a
bounty of 81 a head. Massachusetts,
fels the same way about it, and raised
by calling it So a head.
around these parts any more" SAID
Mr. Townsend. "Why, in the summer
of 1903, the fishermen in the Casco Bay
region alone killed LOST seals. What
there are left stay UP in Maine. and
don't come South in winter. For
years we have had a lot Of trouble try
ing to get them for the AQUARIUM.
found on the Long Island beach must
| have been sick or injured. It was
probably a common harbor SEAL
AS a matter Of fact, the Aquarium
hasn't got any seals at all just now:
There are trout frv and turtles. and
and even a sea lion who roars. But
there are no seals to chase their tails
around the tank, and grunt and bark
for the children.
The trouble here is that the climate
Of the Aquarium is not very congenial
for seals. It gives them pain. And
seals are peculiarly subject to pains:
"You see the temperature In the
Aquarium is too warm for them. and
the air isn't fresh enough" explained
Dr.. Townsend. "They're delicate AM
times thew live here comfortably for
five or sig wears. but they usually die
young. When we get new building
we hope to have special cool place
for seals and SUCH"
One seal lived in the Aquarium for
nine years. Then she got pneumonia
and died. She also had fatty degen-
Grafton of the heart; also Of the liver:
also Of the Kidneys She hadn't had
sunlight or exercise enough. New
York Post.