（2018年4月12日）一隻海豹的奇幻漂流！根據每日郵報消息，在英國約克郡的田野里，驚現一隻公海豹。因為這裡是山谷，人們原本以為是一隻白色的綿羊，仔細一看，竟是一隻海豹。要知道，這裡是北約克郡Thirsk附近的Topcliffe Weirk，距離海岸50英里（約合80公里）。那麼，它是怎樣到這裡來的呢？專家說它是沿河追逐獵物忘了回家。
照片是由業餘攝影師Karen Hargreave Asenby從北約克郡附近的村莊拍攝的，她說：「我和一些朋友出去散步，在田野里看到了一隻很大的東西。經仔細檢查，我們意識到這是一隻海豹。我們都對野生動物感興趣，所以，別提我們有多激動了。」她還提到，「實際上，早在上周四（4月5日），就有人發現了這隻海豹。」
隨後，他找來一些專家來看，經過確認，這是一隻公海豹。不過，人們並不打算將其送回海里，而是任由其自己尋找回家的路。實際上，到達內陸的海豹，在這裡並不算新鮮。此前發生過很多次。
那麼，海豹是怎樣到達80公里外的內陸去的呢？根據下圖，專家解釋，它應該是從海里沿著一條入海河流逆流而上，追逐一些魚類獵物而逐漸進入了內陸。結果，越往裡走距離大海越遠。而且，還出現在了田野里。我們希望這隻海豹不會受到人們的惡意攻擊。
對此，你有何要說的？歡迎留言。
Seal swims 50 miles from North Sea to River Swale near Thirsk
Image copyright KAREN HARGREAVE Karen Hargreave photographed the adult common seal basking on a riverbank at Topcliffe Weir, near Thirsk
A seal has swum 50 miles inland from the sea to the River Swale near Thirsk.
The animal, thought to be a healthy adult common seal, has been spotted bobbing in the water and basking on a North Yorkshire bank at Topcliffe Weir.
Experts said it was unusual to see the animal travel “so far up the river” to catch fish and cited the recent heavy rainfall for his surprise appearance.
Walker Karen Hargreave said she was “extremely surprised” to catch a glimpse of the harbour seal.
Image copyright TOPCLIFFE WEIR COMMUNITY GROUP Experts believe the recent rainfall enabled the seal to swim up river where it has stayed “because of the food source”
Mrs Hargreave, who lives in the nearby village of Asenby, said: “I’ve lived here for 30-odd years and we’ve never had anything like this in the river.
“It was directly on the opposite bank. He hauled himself out and sat there, having a good snooze.
“He looks like he’s really happy.”
Image copyright KAREN HARGREAVEThe common or harbour seal was first spotted in the area last week
Image copyright KAREN HARGREAVE Wildlife rescuer Krista Langley said the animal had divided the community because “there are anglers who are concerned over fish stocks in the river”
Krista Langley, who runs a wildlife rescue centre in Thirsk, said her team were called out to the animal at Topcliffe Weir on Thursday but there were no injuries to the seal.
She said seals had been spotted in local rivers in the past but this sighting was “unusual because it had come out of the river to rest”.
Todd German, from the Sea Life Centre in Scarborough, said: “I suspect it’s come up the river because of the recent heavy rainfall and it’s staying there [in the River Swale] because of the food source.”
Mr German said the high river levels meant it was easier for the seal and fish to “swim freely”.
“The fact that he’s staying there and looking well, must mean he’s feeding well.
“There’s no real need to relocate or move it because it looks like it’s in good health.”
Image copyrightNORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE Image captionExperts and animal enthusiasts hope the seal makes its own way back out to sea
But the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said it was planning to rescue the 5ft-long animal and take it back to sea next week.
Julia Cable, from the BDML, said: “We have a very large net to catch the seal but the river levels are too high so we can’t use it now.”
Mr German added: “It’d rather see the animal disappear down the river by itself. He’s found his way up there, let’s hope he makes his way back.”