Returning the Leopard Seal Home

Renmin Ribao – People's Daily

Volunteers return a spotted seal to the sea. Photo by Jiang De Xuan (People's Visual)

Rescued spotted seal pup. Photo by Kong De Hui (People's Visual)

On March 17th at 4:00 PM, fishermen Xiao Yushan and Xiao Jianguo father and son discovered a spotted seal pup trapped in a fishing net in the Nanxiao River area of Panjin City, Liaoning. The Xiao family promptly rescued the pup and reported it to the Panjin Wetland Protection Association. Under the guidance of association experts, after confirming that the pup was not injured, the Xiao family released it back into the sea.

It is reported that spotted seals are the only pinnipeds that breed in China's seas and are a national level two protected animal. Due to the earlier warming of temperatures this year and the earlier breaking of ice compared to previous years, spotted seal pups getting stranded has been more frequent. After years of exploration, Panjin City has formed a joint rescue mechanism for spotted seals. Fishermen or seafarers employees discovering spotted seal pups trapped will immediately report it to relevant departments. If the spotted seal pup is injured and unable to be released, it will be handed over to the Panjin Spotted Seal Protection Station for treatment, and after it has the ability to survive independently and has been through wildness training, it will be released back into the sea.

According to the Panjin Wetland Protection Association, this year, five spotted seal pups trapped in the Liaodong Bay area have been released back into the sea nearby. According to the statistics of the Panjin Spotted Seal Protection Station from February 27th to March 11th, the station has already rescued six spotted seal pups.