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Seal Swims 14 Miles Upriver in Month-Long Welsh Adventure
9 Nov
Summary
- Juvenile grey seal spotted 14 miles from Welsh coast
- Seal traveled up River Conwy, reaching Betws-y-Coed
- Experts say seal's journey is "impressive" and a "positive" sign
A juvenile grey seal has embarked on a remarkable month-long journey, venturing over 14 miles up the River Conwy in Wales. The seal was first spotted by anglers in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy county, a significant distance from the Welsh coast.
According to Gem Simmonds, director of the Wales Seal Research Organisation, this is the farthest inland she has ever seen a seal in 15 years of sightings. Simmonds was initially alerted to the seal's presence about three weeks ago, when a local fisherman reported seeing it in Llanrwst, around 12 miles from Conwy Castle.
Experts suspect the seal has since been carried back towards the coast following a deluge of rain that prompted flood warnings. Simmonds says the seal's journey is an "impressive" feat, considering the river's high water levels and fast-flowing currents. She views the seal's presence as a "positive" sign for the river's health, as the presence of top predators like seals indicates a thriving ecosystem.
The Wales Seal Research Organisation has planned an extraction for the seal if necessary, to ensure its safe return to the coast. Simmonds believes the seal is a juvenile, not a baby, which may explain its adventurous spirit as it tries to "figure out the world."
