Seal's 'incredible' 320-mile journey stuns experts
Yorkshire Wildlife TrustA rehabilitated grey seal from Germany has amazed marine conservationists after it travelled 515km (320 miles) to the East Yorkshire coast.
The four year-old female seal, identified by an orange flipper tag, was found malnourished and taken for treatment to Seehundstation Friedrichskoog centre in Germany, which placed the tracker, in 2021.
She was spotted for the first time by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's (YWT) researchers during a seal survey in December 2024.
The wildlife charity described her journey as "incredible and extraordinary" and said it was "a true testament to the species' resilience and adaptability".
Yorkshire Wildlife TrustBorn between December 2020 and January 2021 in Heligoland, a small German island in the North Sea, she weighed only 28.4lb (12.9kg) when she was taken in to receive expert care.
Upon release in May 2021, she had reached a healthy weight of 116.4lb (52.8kg), YWT said.
Since the first sighting in December, the charity said it had been seeking verification of the seal's identity from the German rehabilitation centre, which had been confirmed last month.
The seal has not been seen since but researchers remain hopeful she will resurface.
According to YWT, grey seals are known to travel vast distances in search of food, often covering 70 miles or more.
'Nature's wonders'
YWT said: "Every seal sighting and identification contributes to crucial research aimed at understanding seal population health, movement patterns, and the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.
"Whether she remains in UK waters or continues her journey, her story is an inspiring example of nature's wonders and the journeys taken."
The trust advised people to enjoy the sight of seals at a distance and stay quiet, as well as keeping dogs on a lead and contacting British Divers Marine Life Rescue if they have any concerns about a seal they have spotted.
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