Facilitators Sarah Geis and Elaine Davenport, along with Senior Coordinator Eliza Bettinger, enjoyed their day off by visiting Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard. They stumbled upon a sea lion in apparent distress. Concerned citizens that they are, they immediately called for help.

After over an hour of anxiously monitoring the sea lion’s condition, they received a call from a representative of the New England Aquarium, informing them that not only was their friend not in distress, he was not a sea lion.

Gray seals are common in Martha’s Vineyard, and they often come on the beach to play in the sand. What they thought was the anguished writhing of a dying sea lion turned out to be the playful wrigglings of a healthy, happy seal. Although Eliza, Sarah, and Elaine were somewhat embarrassed by their mistake, they were relieved to know he was ok.