‘In all my years I’ve never seen or heard of a seal swimming so far up the river’
04:45, 05 Nov 2025Updated 07:47, 05 Nov 2025
Walkers and anglers were left in disbelief at the sight of a lone seal swimming in a river miles from the sea. The hapless youngster found itself heading in the wrong direction when it diverted up the Conwy estuary.
At one point the grey seal swam beyond Betws-y Coed almost as far at Ffos Anoddun (Fairy Glen), some 13 miles upriver from the coast. Its unlikely expedition into Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park has now lasted the best part of a month.
In recent weeks, seal guardians have also received a single report of a grey seal swimming upstream on the River Dee. This unconfirmed sighting was from Plas Madoc, Wrexham – around half the way along the 70-mile river from the Dee estuary. Its current whereabouts are unknown.
As seals must haul up on land for a third of each day, an ongoing watch is being kept on riverbanks deep in the Conwy countryside. Despite sightings in places like Llanrwst, only a single video clip has so far emerged of the navigationally-challenged creature. This showed it to be a juvenile – but its gender could not be established.
“I live in the area and I know the river well,” said Gem Simmons, founder of Wales Seal Research Organisation. “In all my years I’ve never seen or heard of a seal swimming so far up the river. Seals have been spotted in Talycafn (about four miles upstream) and perhaps further – but this is the longest I’m aware of by some distance.
“Actually, I’m pretty impressed. The river is really quite shallow in places, so the seal has had to navigate these sections to get so far up the Afon Conwy.”
One report placed the seal at Llyn-yr-Afanc (Beaver Pool) about a mile south of Betws-y-Coed where the A470 turns at Beaver Bridge for the Fairy Glen. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now – here’s how to sign up
One of only two photos obtained of the seal on its Afon Conwy odyssey
Two sightings led to call-outs by medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), though the seal had vanished by the time they arrived.
An extraction plan has been drawn up to return the seal to the coast or a rehabilitation centre should this be needed.
Afon Conwy is tidal and as high tides can reach Llanwrst, local people have reported seal sightings there previously. But no one is quite sure why the seal has gone quite so far. Gem has some ideas. “It may be that the animal headed to calmer waters during autumnal storms and has continued further and further upstream.
“It could be sick or injured but the one video clip we’ve seen suggests that other than being slightly underweight – not unusual for a juvenile – it seems to be coping well. We can’t be sure as sightings have been fleeting.
“The seal may have been following food sources or, being young, it may not yet have got the lie of the land: it could just be following its basic instincts – to swim and haul up wherever.”
The seal was first sighted almost a month ago by the Gower footbridge at Llanrwst
As the seal needs to rest for part of the day, people are being asked to keep their distance if they stumble across it. Disturbance is likely to stress the animal and hinder its survival prospects. A rescue will become less viable if it is forced back into the water – and seals can be dangerous if they feel threatened.
In recent days, welfare concerns have receded following latest sightings suggesting the seal is heading back towards its natural habitat. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
The latest report, at the weekend, placed the animal at Dolgarrog – more than half-way back to the coast. “It’s definitely heading in the right direction now that river levels have risen,” said Gem.
“Local people and the angling community have been wonderfully supportive – they’ve been more than happy to have the seal around. The seal’s presence so far inland also indicates the river’s ecosystem is healthy, which is encouraging.”
Sightings of the Conwy and Dee seals are still being encouraged, to enable rescues if needed. These can be reported to the BDMLR on 01825 765546. People are being asked not to post locations online to minimise encounters.
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