Cape & Islands News

The thieving seal of Sandwich

Sandwich seal makes the most of a hearty feast

   This young female harbor seal made its way to the fish hatchery in Sandwich where it proceeded to make a hearty meal of trout. The clever little thief was captured by the Cape Cod Stranding Network and returned to Cape Cod Bay at West Dennis Beach. Photos and video by David Curran.

SANDWICH -- It was a first Tuesday in Sandwich when a first year harbor seal made her way from Cape Cod Bay to the trout pond at the Sandwich Fish Hatchery where she made a hearty meal of the local residents (trout).

When hatchery workers noticed the seal swimming, swirling and stuffing herself, the Cape Cod Stranding Network (CCSN), an IFAW project, was called in to return her to the sea.  

Gail A'Brunzo of CCSN, who usually works as a disaster responder, but is currently working with marine mammals, speculated that the seal made her way from Cape Cod Bay, up various tributaries, through a miniature golf course and under Route 6A to her final destination, the trout pond. 

CCSN workers captured the seal in a net and placed it in a pet carrier.  The seal was then transported to West Dennis Beach on Cape Cod Bay where it would be more difficult for it to find its way back to the hatchery.

A'Brunzo called the seal's supper a first and said the seal was in good health and obviously very well-fed.

According to the Mass Wildlife website, the Commonwealth raises rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout to stock the states lakes, rivers, ponds and streams.  Ponds and rivers throughout the Cape are stocked including Cliff Pond in Brewster, Herring Pond in Eastham and the Coonamesset River in Falmouth.  Click here to see a complete list of waters stocked on the Cape.

Watch David Curran's video below.