'Sealing' along on the River Lagan

There have been several sightings of the marine mammal along the Lagan in the last few years, but rarely so far up the river.

Staff at the Lagan Valley Regional Park said it is an adult seal which is believed to be in the area due to the salmon in the river.

Regional Park Information Officer David Scott said: "There has been a seal spotted in the river for the past two years, always about this time of year. We don't know if it is the same one, but we suspect it might be. They will usually come following the fish up the river and we have had salmon spawning in the Lagan, which is what has attracted it.

"It is unusual for it to go up this far up, it would usually go as far as Edenderry, but it is a good sign that the river is quite healthy."

The seal has become popular with local people who have spotted it and have informed the staff at Lagan Valley Regional Park.

David added: "We have has a few people contacting us and we are always happy to take the information as it lets us know its whereabouts.

"It jumps the weir at Stranmillis, there is a salmon ladder there and we think it either climbs that or jumps on the bank and shuffles across to get on up the river. Because the Lagan is relatively close to the sea, they will occasionally come up the river."

Local man Trevor Ogborn spotted the seal with a friend. He said: "We came across the seal at New Year's Day at the Drumbeg weir. We went back the next day and it followed us up the river towards Lisburn.

"A few other people stood and watched as it moved toward the Church area and took photos of it.

"It was a nice gift on New Year's Day. Hopefully it will head back to the sea in due course," he added.