NEW BALTIMORE — The Shady Harbor Marina has received an unexpected, but wildly cute, visitor on its dock the past couple of days — a sunbathing seal.
Kathy Donovan, a marina co-owner, said the happy little guy first appeared on the dock Thursday morning soaking in the sunshine for about 45 minutes before dipping back into the Hudson River.
"The seal looked healthy and just hung out on the dock looking around. We all kept our distance and just watched from shore or a parallel dock," Donovan said.
"My husband Brian and I have owned the marina since 2011 and this is the first time we have ever seen a seal up here," she added.
The sighting was a first at the marina, at least until the seal made a return visit to the same dock later that night. The marina also was holding its opening night for the restaurant there and the guests "loved it," Donovan noted. When the seal popped up for a second time, the marina owners jokingly suggested they would have to charge him for transient dockage.
Employees and visitors snapped photos and videos of the seal, which later surfaced online. Local commentators posted comments about similar wildlife experiences nearby, contemplating how the animal ended up so far away from the sea and the amazing journey it must have made.
A spokesperson from the state Department of Environmental Conservation said while not many seals are seen this far north in the river, "it's not uncommon." A federal law mandates people to stay at least 150 feet away from marine animals at all times to ensure they are not disturbed and for public safety, the spokesperson noted.
DEC asks that individuals report any seal sightings to the department to help it better understand seal distribution in New York.
Marina staff are keeping an eye on the docks today to see if their rare friend will make a third appearance.
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Video: Sunbathing seal spotted twice on New Baltimore dock - Times Union
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