Seal With Cord Around Neck Spotted in Island Park

Portsmouth Resident Milla Hershman took these photos of a seal in Island Park recently as it made its way across the ice.

They show a cord or rope of some kind caught around the animal’s neck.

“He eventually found his way under the ice,” Hershman said.

It was very cold and Hirshman said she left after the seal found his way under the ice. She’s not sure what happened afterwards.

The seal was seen between 5:45 and 6:30 a.m. on the morning of March 10.

Gail Mastrati, spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, said the agency did get a call about the seal. The DEM sent out an officer and Mystic Aquarium was also contacted.

“The good news is that the seal was about to get out on its own and take off into the water,” Mastrati said.

If you see an animal in distress, call the DEM’s 24-hour dispatch number at 401-222-3070.

Photos: Milla Hershman