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By Alice Morris
Things are looking up for Luna Lovegood, a female juvenile gray seal that was rescued from an Ocean City beach late last month.
After becoming stranded, Luna was taken to the National Aquarium Animal Care Center in Baltimore where veterinarians treated her for pneumonia and multiple lacerations on her body.
A thorough examination revealed that Luna was also suffering from dehydration and a case of lungworm.
Each year, the National Aquarium Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP) names all of their rescue animals after a common theme and this year that theme is Harry Potter.
The aquarium’s new resident was named after Luna Lovegood, an eccentric witch from the Harry Potter series.
Luna joins Harry, Hermione, and Ron, three sea turtles that were rescued last fall.
The National Aquarium reported earlier in the month that Luna was adjusting well to her new surroundings and, according to the Chesapeake Bay Magazine, she recently began eating on her own.
Caretakers had previously been feeding Luna fish gruel via a feeding tube.
Luckily for Luna, she doesn’t have to undergo the rehabilitation process alone. She joins Phil, a male harbor seal that was admitted to the rehab center in April.
Though the two are separated in different pools to prevent cross-contamination, they share the same rehabilitation space.
With a little luck (and a pinch of magic), Luna and Phil may soon return to the ocean!
You can keep up to date on Luna’s condition and stay current on other National Aquarium news by checking out their blog.