An injured spotted seal pup that strayed far from its natural habitat has returned home to Liaoning Province in good condition after more than a year of professional rescue and care.

The pup, a phoca largha, is the only pinniped marine mammal that breeds in Chinese waters and is under China’s highest level of national protection. It was discovered last year in the waters off Weizhou Island in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, thousands of kilometres from its native range. The animal’s unusual journey drew widespread public attention, and it was affectionately named “Nana” by netizens.

On November 25, Nana was transferred to the Liaoning Provincial Marine and Fisheries Research Institute for follow-up care, and will be released into Bohai Bay when conditions permit.

According to the institute, Nana initially took time to adapt but is now recovering well. “Later, the animal gradually adapted to the new surroundings,” said Tian Jiashen, director at the institute. Now just over one year old, Nana’s body length is developing normally, and its health and activity levels continue to improve.

Source: China Central Television