Could the following be circulated to the MarMam listserve for information please. Thank you Grant Abel General Curator Zoological Operations and Education Ocean Park Corporation Wong Chuk Hang Rd Aberdeen, Hong Kong SAR Mob: +852.9856.2395 Fax: +852.2553.4598 Tel: +852.3923.2649 Email: grant.abel@oceanpark.com.hk<mailto:grant.abel@oceanpark.com.hk> Website: http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/ Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums ================================== A Spotted Seal (phoca largha) was reportedly caught by fishermen in waters adjacent to Vietnam in August 2011. The nearest known range for this species includes the northern Yellow and Bohai Seas of China and this event may represent a wayward individual or other type of activity in this region. We have also received unconfirmed reports of true seals being seen elsewhere in Asia, outside the published range for this species. The earliest report of a possible seal sighting in Hong Kong waters is contained in the Hong Kong Telegraph dated April 17, 1914. We are very keen to hear of other reports if any, of seals in coastal waters of Southern China and the South China Sea. Anyone interested in photographs of the seal allegedly caught by fishermen near Vietnam and other information to hand is available by contacting Grant Abel of Ocean Park Hong Kong (Email: grant.abel@oceanpark.com.hk<mailto:grant.abel@oceanpark.com.hk>) Please think GREEN before printing this e-mail. Disclaimer: The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please delete it from your system. If you require assistance, please contact us at opc@oceanpark.com.hk Beginning 1 January 2006, Ocean Park raises its conservation commitment further by donating part of the admission to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (www.opcf.org.hk) to support its research projects and public awareness programmes for wildlife conservation in Asia.