A grey seal that recently gained fame on social media after somehow entering a fresh-water pond in Massachusetts turned himself in to local police days after evading capture.
The seal, nicknamed “Shoebert,” crossed a parking lot and flopped himself to the police station a week after being spotted in Shoe Pond in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Animal experts speculate the crafty seal made his way to the pond from the ocean via a river and drainage pipes.
Shoebert soon became a local attraction, with many people coming to visit the seal at the pond.
Wildlife experts and firefighters initially attempted to capture the clever seal by deploying nets from boats but eventually gave up.
Animal control decided to leave the animal alone after discussing with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which advised letting him find his way back to the ocean instead of distressing him.
Sure enough, that’s what he did.
Days later, the seal unexpectedly showed up at the Beverly Police Department station, asking for a ride back to the ocean.
“Within a short period of time, the entire midnight shift, Beverly Animal Control, Members of NOAA, International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Beverly Fire Department all came to the rescue of Shoebert. We were able to get Shoebert into a special wildlife carrier without incident. Shoebert appeared to be in good health and was a little sassy in the earl- morning hours,” the police department wrote on Facebook.
Shoebert was then transferred to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut for observation and medical care before his anticipated release into the ocean.
“Thank you, Shoebert, for having faith in the BPD. You will be deeply missed by your friends here. Over the past week, you brought a lot of joy and happiness to our city. Feel free to come back and visit anytime!” the department wrote.
Included in the post were several pictures of Shoebert lounging on the grass lawn outside the police station.
“He knew where to go for help … Great job, BPD, and all the other departments involved,” one commenter wrote.
Sarah Callan, manager of the aquarium’s animal rescue program, gave an update about Shoebert.
“He is acting like a typical, feisty, 4-year-old gray seal,” Callan wrote in an email. “We are planning to release him in a quiet, remote location near other seals.”
