Seal Found In LI Traffic Circle Released At Beach Friday: WATCH

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A seal pup who captured hearts after he was found near the Riverside traffic circle Sunday was released at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays Friday.

The seal made its way to the water, then, as the crowd that had gathered watched, turned as if to say a last good-bye to his rescuers before plunging into the surf toward his natural habitat.

According to the New York Marine Rescue Center, the male gray seal pup, named Peconic, was found wandering the streets by the busy traffic circle in Riverhead, where he was seen by Southampton Town Police.

Police called the New York Marine Rescue Center’s 24-hour hotline and stayed with the seal until NYMRC staff arrived on scene. The seal was brought back to the NYMRC facility where he received a full exam and fluids; the male pup was approved for release NYMRC's senior veterinarian.

Maxine Montello, Rescue Program Director said, of the seal's adventure: “The NYMRC staff is so thrilled that this animal has been cleared for release after a short period of time at the NYMRC and is ready to head back home.”

According to Southampton Town Police, at 6:31 a.m. Sunday, dispatchers received a 911 call about the seal, seen off Woodhull Road in the Thrifty Beverage parking lot. Patrol officers responded and the seal then headed southwest in the direction of the Budget Host Inn, police said.

Officers surrounded the seal, which was identified as a juvenile harbor seal, officials said.

"No, this wasn't a late April's Fools prank — rather a young male seal that made his way toward the circle after climbing a fish ladder out of the Peconic River where he was likely foraging on fish," the NYMRC said.

Gray seals are known to be explorers and often investigate the environment around them; even traversing several miles at a time, the NYMRC said. The NYMRC has previously responded to seals traveling far distances from the water, so the case was not abnormal, the organization said.

"In fact, earlier this year NYMRC rescued another male gray seal that wandered far from the ocean into a wooded area," the NYMRC said.

NYMRC biologists rescued the young seal from the traffic circle and brought him back to the hospital. An initial physical showed the animal to be in good health. Seals, such as the male gray seal, are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and if one is found, people must maintain a 150-foot distance, the NYMRC said.

If you see a sick or injured seal, report the animal to the NYMRC's 24-hour stranding hotline at 631-369-9829.