Carefree baby seal suns itself on [Beach 20th] beach

By Gabrielle Fonrouge and Daniel Prendergast
March 6, 2014

Even the seals have had enough of winter.

A cold baby seal made its way out of the frigid waters off Far Rockaway Thursday to warm itself under the sunshine.

The approximately 200 pound seal, which appeared to be a baby, came ashore sometime before noon and decided to do some sunbathing on the sand near Beach 20th Street, police sources said.

The seal returned to the water after police and curious bystanders arrived but soon came back to the beach to resume sunning itself and did not appear to be in distress.

The NYPD said it contacted the Riverhead Foundation, a Long Island based marine research group, who told them that it is perfectly normal for seals to seek warmth by coming ashore and catching some rays.

“They think he’s just out here sunning himself and just enjoying the day,” said a police source. “They don’t seem concerned.”

“He seems fine, from looking at him he doesn’t appear to have any injuries or anything like that.”