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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Seal spotted in Oudenburg canal: "As long as it finds food, there's no reason for panic"

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A seal was spotted in the Nieuwpoort-Plassendale canal in Oudenburg, Belgium, prompting attention from locals and experts.
  • Experts from Sea Life believe the seal is doing well and is likely finding food and a resting place in the canal.
  • While unusual, seals entering canals via sea locks is not uncommon, and they typically leave if they cannot find sustenance.

A seal has been sighted in the Nieuwpoort-Plassendale canal in Oudenburg, Belgium, capturing the attention of local residents and wildlife experts.

As long as the seal finds food and a resting place, there is no reason for panic.

— Jonathan MeulReassuring the public about the seal's well-being in the canal.

The marine mammal appears to be in good condition, according to Sea Life, an organization that monitors marine life. The exact circumstances of how the seal entered the canal remain unclear, but experts suggest it likely swam in through an open sea lock connected to one of the local harbors.

Jonathan Meul, a senior animal caretaker at Sea Life, stated that seals are curious animals and that it's not uncommon for them to enter canals. He explained that if the seal finds sufficient food and a safe resting spot, there is no immediate cause for concern. "As long as the seal finds food and a resting place, there is no reason for panic," Meul said.

Seals are very curious animals, probably it slipped through one of the sea locks in one of our harbors. That happens quite often.

— Jonathan MeulExplaining how seals might end up in inland waterways.

This is not the first time a seal has been spotted in Oudenburg's canals; residents reported seeing one in 2024 as well. Seals primarily seek food, and according to Jan Haelters from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, they often find enough sustenance, such as herring, sprat, and flatfish, in coastal canals and harbors to stay for extended periods.

Usually they are looking for food.

— Jan HaeltersDescribing the primary motivation for seals entering new environments.

While seals can tolerate freshwater, saltwater is healthier for them. If the seal cannot find adequate food or a suitable resting place, it is intelligent enough to find its way back to the sea. For now, the seal's presence is considered a remarkable, but not alarming, event.

There is therefore no reason for panic. As long as the seal finds food and a resting place, it can live there. If the seal does not find that, it is smart enough to swim back. Freshwater is also not a problem for seals, although saltwater is healthier for the animals.

— Jonathan MeulFurther details on the seal's survival prospects and behavior.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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