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Originally published February 1, 2012 at 8:32 AM | Page modified February 1, 2012 at 8:41 AM
Seal rarely seen in Puget Sound is in good shape
An Arctic ribbon seal rarely seen in Puget Sound had its southerly sojourn interrupted Tuesday for a medical checkup.
The Associated Press
K. WILKINSON / AP
In this photo provided by NOAA, a ribbon seal is seen Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, on a dock in Marysville.
An Arctic ribbon seal rarely seen in Puget Sound had its southerly sojourn interrupted Tuesday for a medical checkup.
Marine mammal experts from NOAA fisheries in Seattle threw a net over the white-striped seal on an Everett dock and held him for a 20-minute examination.
NOAA's Kristin Wilkinson told The Daily Herald the 185-pound adult male appears to be in good shape.
It's believed to be the same ribbon seal that was seen last month in the Seattle area.
Researchers are unsure why it's so far from its home waters off Alaska and Russia. Wilkinson says it may have been caught in a storm or it may have been chasing food. She says there are a lot of shrimp in Puget Sound right now.
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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com
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