BIDDEFORD (AP) – A young harp seal that wandered more than 25 miles inland before turning up in a suburban back yard in Massachusetts is being treated for parasites at the University of New England.

The seal nicknamed “Squirt” by his rescuers because of his small size – just under 3 feet and 34 pounds – will spend the next few weeks at the university’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center.

“He’s feisty,” said Keith Matassa, the center’s coordinator, who noted that harp seals are naturally aggressive.

Matassa joked that the seal’s gender played a role in his journey to Middleboro, Mass., saying, “He has to be a male – he didn’t ask for directions.”

The seal is being given medication for lungworms and roundworms, which are common among marine animals and are not always harmful. It is not known whether the sickness caused Squirt to wander so far, although it’s possible that the lungworms could have inhibited his diving ability.

Squirt is also a little bald on top, which could be due to stress or molting.

“All seals grow hair once a year,” Matassa said. “But when they do that, their bodies only do that.” This means that they are more vulnerable to illness during this time because their bodies are concentrating on growing new fur.

The seal’s age is unknown, according to Matassa, although his very small size could indicate that he is very young. Scientists are also not sure whether Squirt was born in New England or swam down from the Arctic.

Matassa said seals can remain on shore for as long as they want if they are able to keep cool. But if a seal stays in the same spot for 24 to 48 hours, it usually means it is sick.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-04-01-05 1144EST