Estimated at 20 to 25 years old, and weighing 212 lbs., the seal had been cleared to be released by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after two months' treatment by aquarium veterinarians.

“Because the animal has vision in only one eye, the veterinary staff at Mystic Aquarium is reluctant to have the animal released until a temporary condition called corneal edema is fully resolved,” Dr. Lawrence Dunn, aquarium veterinarian, said in a statement.

“The seal will be treated and monitored intensively over the next several days until its vision is totally restored,” he said. “Corneal edema is a common transitory condition seen in seals wherein the cornea, the outer clear portion of the eye becomes cloudy, often because of osmotic changes combined with exposure to bright light.”

When the eye problem clears, a new date will be set for its release.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney