According to a wildlife expert who helps stranded and displaced marine animals, a harbor seal has been found in the Rancocas Creek and as per reports, it was enticed by herring.

According to Bob Schoelkopf founder of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ, "It's not unusual for the seals to follow the herring in the spring and to not know how far upstream they are going. As long as they find food, they're happy. When they run out of food, they go back down".

Schoelkopf was asked to recall the last seal sighting in the Rancocas, which is a freshwater tributary that meanders through Burlington County. He said that it was nearly a decade ago. Schoelkopf added that a live hooded seal and a harp seal carcass were spotted in the creek during that time.

It seemed that the newest flippered visitor swam into the Rancocas three or four weeks ago. It was on the basis of the distance it covered to reach the Willingboro area, where it has been spotted.

He said that it appeared that the seal has a bit of a brown tint to it. He told that while explaining how the tannic acid in the water from the cedar and pine trees can lead to a coloring effect when an animal is in the water for a particular period of time.

He said that on the basis of photographs supplied by residents to the center, it appeared that the seal was ‘well-fed’ and happy.

Schoelkopf said that the seal should not be approached and offered food. He added that are the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act protects seals, and also warned that if the creature is harassed, it could lead to thousands of dollars in fines.