Abandoned blind seal pup rescued in Canada

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A blind seal pup is in recovery at a Canadian animal center after being found abandoned and starving.

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Center shared a photo of Azabat the seal, which was discovered on a beach in Courtenay before being airlifted to Vancouver for treatment.

"Unfortunately Azabat is blind but he is being kept safe and comfortable here at MMR and is receiving frequent salt baths to help his other wounds heal," the center wrote.

Center employees have taken to calling the blind seal "Mr. Magoo" due to their shared lack of vision, although center manager ​Lindsaye Akhurst told the CBC they remain unsure when he became blind.

"He could have been born blind, but he is a few months old, so we're wondering if something happened in the last few months," she said.

Akhurst added Azabat will likely be sent to an accredited zoo or aquarium if it is determined he would perish if released.