Officials rescue large grey seal stranded in popular Nova Scotia park

Officials spent much of Saturday trying to guide an errant grey seal back home after it made its way to Shubie Park in Dartmouth, N.S.

Those visiting the park — a popular spot for dog walkers — can usually expect to see birds and chipmunks, but it’s uncommon to see animals known for hanging out by the ocean.

The large male seal, estimated to be about 500 pounds, was initially spotted in the parking lot of the park Saturday morning before it made its way onto the trail. Pictures and videos posted to social media show the blubbery mammal trying to move around the forested terrain.

It’s unclear how the pinniped made its way to Shubie Park, which is located between Lake Micmac and Lake Charles.

Members of Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Fire, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Hope for Wildlife, the Marine Animal Response Society and conservation officers were at the scene Saturday as a group of onlookers watched them trying to keep the seal occupied.

Police officers had to rope off a portion of the park to keep people away from the seal, who at times appeared agitated.

A veterinarian tranquilized the seal to subdue it and it was loaded into a Marine Animal Response Society truck in the afternoon to be returned to the ocean.

— With files from Jesse Thomas

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