First dolphin, now seal, visits Central Jersey

SAYREVILLE – A gray seal has been spotted in Morgan Creek, according to police.

Sayreville police posted a short video of the seal from an off-duty officer on the department’s Facebook page Friday. The video shows the seal apparently with a fish in its mouth.

“If you can’t resist the urge to seek him out, please leave him alone,” the Facebook message states. “He is likely following bait fish up in to the creek and enjoying himself a nice late lunch. When is is full, or bored, he will return to the bay and whatever it is that seals do when they are not engaged in fine dining.”

Police said wildlife, while beautiful, should be viewed from a safe distance, and should not be fed human food.

Bob Schoelkopf, founding director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, said the seal seems to be the same one previously spotted in South Jersey. He said the seal seems to be heading north.

“He looks fine,” said Schoelkopf, adding that gray seals tend to be from the north and sometime venture to New Jersey. He said harbor seals are more coastal mammals.

“All we can do is keep an eye out and notify state agencies,” said Schoelkopf, adding that the public is urged to leave the seal alone. Anyone who takes a photo of the seal can send it to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

“Look at it from a distance, they do bite,” he said.

The gray seal is the second wayward marine mammal spotted in Central Jersey in the past two weeks. An errant dolphin that had been spotted along the river in South River for several days last week died last Saturday. After heading back toward Raritan Bay following attempts to guide him by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the dolphin was spotted dead aground.

Marine Mammal Stranding Center officials said the dolphin, believed to be an old male, is thought to have gone up the river to die.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com