A premature harbor seal was rescued from a Kenai beach and admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s wildlife response program earlier this month, the center said Monday.

According to a release, the male seal was found on “a remote beach,” and had a white lanugo coat — an indicator of premature birth. No mother was observed in the area, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration approved the recovery of the animal.

Findings from an initial exam, the release says, indicate that the pup was likely born that day. Premature harbor seals have “only about a 50% chance of survival” in the response program, and the pup is receiving intensive care.

This time of year, “pupping season,” is “typically the busiest time of year” for the program as they respond to multiple calls of abandoned or injured seal pups in need of aid.

To report an injured or stranded marine animal in Alaska, call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-744-7325.

For more information about the Alaska SeaLife Center and for continuing updates about the wildlife response patients, find “Alaska SeaLife Center” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

A harbor seal pup rescued near Kenai is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)