Harp seals from Canada take a liking to US waters

By CLARKE CANFIELD Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Harp seals from Canada are showing up in U.S. waters this year in greater numbers and farther south than usual, and biologists want to know why.

Small numbers of young harp seals are typically found each winter stranded along the coast of the northeast United States. But officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say there have been more than 100 sightings of adult harp seals this winter from Maine all the way to North Carolina.

NOAA's Mendy Garron says some areas are reporting three times the usual number of harp seal sightings.

Biologists say there's no clear explanation on why more of the seals are showing up, but say they could be making their way south because of climatic conditions or perhaps in search of food.