Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
What To Do If You See An Adorable Seal Wandering Around NYC
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 15, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Ross Fisher
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 15, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
All good things come in threes, whether it's backup singers, Latin phrases ("omne trium perfectum"), Jonas brothers, or the number of trials Indiana Jones had to pass to reach the Holy Grail. And this week there have been at least three notable seal sightings in Brooklyn and Staten Island, leading us to wonder: is this normal? Should they be so far inland? And what should one do if one is concerned about an injured seal?
On Sunday, a few seals were spotted being adorable off the coast of Staten Island (see the tweet above).
Also on Sunday, Brooklyn resident Ross Fisher spotted a harbor seal in Red Hook, sunning itself on some gravel and wooden detritus by the IKEA. But that seal looked a little worse for wear.
"I and the arriving police officers observed that the seal's left flipper appeared to be injured as it was immobile," Fisher said. "One of the officers attempted to get closer to the animal, at which point it panicked and rolled off of the wooden beam and plopped into the murky water."
Fisher told us he felt compelled to share the story "since no one at the scene (officers included) really knew what to do."
The Red Hook seal
Ross Fisher
Then on Tuesday, a reporter with NY1 came upon a seal who had ventured out of the water on Staten Island "very far away from the ocean." (It's unclear whether this was one of the seals spotted on Sunday.) You can see video of that seal below.
According to Maxine Montello, a rescue program director at the New York Marine Rescue Center (formerly The Riverhead Foundation), you should not be too concerned just because you see a seal alone on land—your actions (like following it) might be causing it more stress than anything else in its immediate environment.
"It is normal for seals to rest on the beach throughout the winter and spring and can spend several days resting out of water," she said. "During the spring months, we receive reports of young seals who are resting by themselves on the beach which is also perfectly normal. Seals are solitary animals during the first few years of their lives and will not haul out with adult seals until they have reached sexual maturity. If patrons get too close they can cause the animal to be very stressed and may lead to larger health issues."
On Wednesday, Montello said they had found the seal who was wandering around Staten Island, and are currently working on a plan for how to help it get back to the water. "Often we receive reports regarding seals who have wondered into an area that maybe is not ideal," she said. "These animals are very curious and may travel pretty far away from water. A majority of these animals will be able to find their way back to the water, but we have had to step in a few cases to assist."
She also told us it's totally normal for seals to visit NYC in the winter—"We usually start seeing seals utilizing our local waters in late December/January. However, we will see a large increase of seals (pups and yearlings) in March."
All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Act, which specifies people should remain 150 yards away from any marine mammal. If you see a sick or injured sea turtle or seal, she recommends you call The New York Marine Rescue Center's 24-hour hotline (631-369-9829), since they are the primary response team for those stranded animals. (You can also get more info from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation here.)
Tagged
wildlife
riverhead foundation
seal
seals
New York Marine Rescue Center
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
It's a busy month at the branches.
By
Alec Hamilton
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
An excellent and diverse month of concerts are in store for October.
By
Hank Shteamer
Arts & Entertainment
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
An excellent and diverse month of concerts are in store for October.
By
Hank Shteamer
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
October is spooky season at the movies in New York City
By
Emma Stefansky
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .