'Shoebert' The Seal Extends 'Vacation' In Beverly Pond

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly's newest celebrity resident extended its splashy vacation in town as officials looked to secure its path "home" on Monday.

The seal that set up shop in Shoe Pond in Cummings Park — which residents have named "Shoebert" — was still visiting the pond as of Monday and "seems to be enjoying the attention," according to Beverly Animal Control Officer Matt Lipinski.

The seal was first spotted in the pond last week.

Lipinski said his office and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been "keeping an eye on him/her and making sure everything is alright."

Shoebert is developing quite the fan club among city residents and visitors but Lipinski reminded those coming out to see the seal that as fun to follow as the little fella is, it should be admired from a distance.

"Please stay on the outside of the fence surrounding Shoe Pond," he said. "Shoebert is very cute but is still a wild animal and needs space.

"Please do not feed Shoebert or toss things in the water, Shoe Pond has plenty of food for Shoebert's temporary vacation with us."

Officials have roped off the area of the pond surrounding the drainage pipe, which is believed to be "Shoebert's path to the ocean."

"Please stay away from this area and instead stand on the sidewalks," Lipinski said. "We are trying to prevent any chance that he/she could be startled away from the path back to the ocean.

"So if you see the seal in that area please do not scream or cheer to support the efforts of going home."

City Council President Julie Flowers took a minute out of Monday night's Council meeting to give Shoebert an official city welcome.

"It is exciting that we have a seal living in the lower Shoe Pond," she said. "A shout-out for Shoebert the seal who has brought Beverly together in an exciting way."

City Councilor Kathleen Feldman called Shoebert the "Li'l Sebastian of Beverly" — a reference to the miniature horse who was a uniting force in Pawnee, Indiana in the television series "Parks & Recreation."

The Beverly Police Department also had a bit of fun with the new kid in town as well in changing its "seal" to an actual seal temporarily on its social media page.

"At some point, the seal Shoebert will make his way back to the ocean the way he swam into the pond," Beverly police said. "However, if Shoebert decides he wants to go back by crossing the street rest assured BPD will be there to assist him.

"Beverly Police Supports Shoebert!!!"

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)