Common seal swims 200 km to return to human-populated island in China

A two-year-old common seal, nicknamed Nana, swam approximately 200 kilometers to return to Dachangshan Island in China after being released into the wild. Tracking equipment confirmed that Nana, who had lived with humans for several months during rehabilitation, traveled the distance between September 7 and September 13.

Nana was originally rescued as a pup in the Guangxi Zhuang region following a typhoon in September 2024. After receiving medical care, the seal was transferred to a protection base managed by the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Marine Fisheries Science for wildlife reintroduction training. While four other seals released in April successfully integrated into wild populations, Nana chose to return to the area inhabited by humans.

Local fishermen noted that the seal appeared visibly thinner following the long journey. The common seal (Phoca vitulina) is classified as a first-class protected species in China, representing the highest level of wildlife protection in the country.