On May 12, a seal was spotted lounging near the old bathhouse at Gültzaudden, and now Sanna Åström has had the pleasure of encountering this marine mammal, which appears to be relishing the summer sun.
Lena Bondestad, a nature conservation officer with the Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten, suggests that this robust creature is likely a young seal, still in its early stages of growth.
“Kutarna remain with their mothers for just a few weeks before setting off on their own. It’s not surprising that this one has found a favorite sunning spot, particularly during its shedding period when it spends more time on land,” she shared in an interview with SVT.
### Potential Disturbances from Boats
The bustling activity in Luleå’s northern harbor, including tour boats and other vessels, raises concerns about disturbances to this visiting seal. Bondestad points out that it’s not solely the slow-moving tour boats that may interfere with its tranquility.
“There are certainly faster boats and jet skis that can disrupt its peace. However, if the seal is left undisturbed and there’s plenty of fish in the vicinity, it’s likely to stick around for a while,” she noted.
