Aquarium to release Fozzie the seal

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Fozzie the seal is heading home to the ocean.

The Virginia Aquarium plans to release its first 2010 rehabilitated harbor seal on Thursday in Virginia Beach.

The stranded seal was suffering from severe pneumonia and a healing fractured rib when it was rescued Jan. 19 in Carova, N.C.

While convalescing at the Virginia Aquarium Marine Animal Care Center, Fozzie was on antibiotics for more than a month and was fed a steady diet of herring.

Just 42 pounds when he arrived at the center, the 3-foot-long seal now weighs 70 pounds and is ready to return to his natural habitat.