A remarkable wildlife rescue story reaches its culmination as a severely injured spotted seal that captured national attention through social media platforms completes its rehabilitation journey. The marine mammal, which became an online sensation from Beihai in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has been successfully transported to Liaoning province on November 25 following an extensive 13.5-month recovery period.
The spotted seal, classified as a first-class nationally protected animal in China, will soon be released into its natural habitat in Bohai Bay once environmental conditions become favorable. The animal’s ordeal began in September 2024 when it was first discovered with significant injuries near Weizhou Island off the coast of Beihai. After a month of monitoring its deteriorating condition, rescue teams intervened to provide critical care.
During its rehabilitation, conservation specialists created a customized habitat featuring constant-temperature water systems to accommodate the cold-water species’ needs. The animal received daily medical attention for its wounds, while scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a comprehensive recovery strategy to ensure its successful rehabilitation.
The treatment proved extraordinarily successful. By the time of its transfer northward, the seal had grown an additional 0.2 meters in length and gained 13 kilograms in healthy weight. All previous injuries had completely healed, and the animal regained full independence in both feeding and swimming capabilities.
The complex cross-regional transfer operation was orchestrated by Beihai’s ocean administration bureau with coordination from Guangxi’s agricultural department. Dedicated staff accompanied the seal throughout the entire journey to ensure its safety and wellbeing during the transition to its native northern waters.