Gothamist Loves Harp Seals

Thank you, NY Times photographer Suzanne Dechillo, for your amazing picture of the little harp seal that's hanging out downtown. Gothamist loves how the harp seal is waving - we have goosebumps! The photograph was for a story about how this harp seal has been hanging out on a "floating dock" near Battery Park for a few days (they usually are up North, in the Arctic or Canada). The seal seems to be okay, simply in the molting process. Gothamist begs anyone who works or lives near there to go, look for the seal and take pictures. Let us know if you go and we'll post the pictures!

The NY times reported on the Gowanus harp seal a year and a half ago; neighbors wanted to name it "Gowana." Gothamist thinks this downtown harp seal needs a name. We'll offer the first suggestion: Peter (as in Stuyvesant). Any takers? Or better suggestions?

Wikipedia on harp seals. National Geographic has a feature about the slaughter (noooo!) of harp seals. The University of Newfoundland has a harp seal cam.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on March 3, 2005 12:21 PM

Comments [rss]

Kathy Dow

I am trying to find a cute picture of a harp seal so i can get a tatoo if you have any i would appreciate if you would send them to me, i want it on my arm so it has to be big but not too big, thank you for your help .

chrish

Ignorant morons who joke about clubbing these innocent creatures should slam their own hand in a car door, maybe get a slight feel of what these gentle babies go through when they are clubbed, while their mothers bravely try to fight off the attackers. You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Claire

The perfect name is...Chelsea!

eela

not harpo.

oprah.

Sooz

How about Cecilia? Or Ce-seal-ia?

And if she ever gives you a kiss you can say....

here it comes:

"My lips are sealed."

Um...sorry.

juepucta

If you need anybody to club the seal for you, i'll be willing to drive from Toronto to NYC.

Ok, joking.

Half joking...

G.

smitty

Liberty?

Kojak The Inuit

Oh ok. Thanks for the correction kbs.

I need to reconnect with my Inuit Roots. Even though I'm Jamaican, I’m sure I carry some Inuit genes.

Perhaps those genes are the cause of my sudden urge to club some baby seals. I Think I should act out on my urges. So you say this seal hangs out near Battery Park eh? . . . . .

Tim N.

Wow, in one day he's become...

ready...

drumroll...

The Great Seal of the City of New York!

groan at will

kbs

FYI: Kojak- "Eskimo" is a derogatory term you should be Kojak the Inuit.

kbs

FYI: Kojak- "Eskimo" is a derogatory term you should be Kojac the Inuit.

Kojak the Eskimo

That National Geographic article has got me in the mood to club some baby seals. Thanks National Geographic!

Do I need its flesh and blubber to feed my family? Not really, but it does sound fun clubbing a couple baby seals.

eddieben

It's not that uncommon to see harp seals off the coast of Long Island in these late winter months. In fact, there are nature trails on the coast of Montauk that lead to a "Seal Haulout" where every year seals congregate (sometimes hundreds of them!). These particular seals follow their food source south during the winter, and spend their summers in the Arctic.

Rose

Harpo

David

I'm split between Harpo and Neal the Seal.

KeithS

Let's just call him "Downtown".

lorraine

speaking of seals, i adore this cartoon from this week's New Yorker:

http://www.cartoonbank.com/assets/1/120650_m.gif

Ty

I like the spots. How about Pongo? The lonely bachelor dalmation from 101 Dalmations. Or his sidekick, Perdita, if it's a girl.

Martin Gehrke

I row for Columbia University and last year after a late practice we arrived back at the dock well past dark to find a fat happy seal sitting there. Our coach instructed the coxswains to land well away from the seal, but strong currents made this hard. Luckily the seal didn't jump onto a boat when it made its hasty departure.