DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
Dutch news & articles
Dutch police rescue seal stranded in town and return it to the sea
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Dutch police rescue seal stranded in town and return it to the sea

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Dog finds pipe bomb in Brabant backyard and brings it insideDog finds pipe bomb in Brabant backyard and brings it inside
Dutch wolf population set to grow six times larger than expectedDutch wolf population set to grow six times larger than expected
Rare, venomous night monkeys born in Amersfoort ZooRare, venomous night monkeys born in Amersfoort Zoo
TU Delft employees save Amersfoort elephant with stick stuck inside trunkTU Delft employees save Amersfoort elephant with stick stuck inside trunk
Experts want Amsterdam residents to live alongside rats, not kill themExperts want Amsterdam residents to live alongside rats, not kill them
Utrecht’s fish doorbell is back for the springUtrecht’s fish doorbell is back for the spring
These were the most popular dog names in the Netherlands in 2023These were the most popular dog names in the Netherlands in 2023
Amsterdam wants cats to wear bells in order to save more birdsAmsterdam wants cats to wear bells in order to save more birds
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Dec 9, 2023
Emily Proctor
Former Editor at IamExpat Media.Read more

Dutch police have rescued a seal that became stranded away from the sea in a town located 15 kilometres from the coast. The animal was checked over and then safely returned to the sea.

An unexpected cal-lout for the Dutch police

The seal was first spotted near a dyke near the Nauernasche Vaart canal in Assendelft, between Beverwijk and Zaandam on December 3. The police were then contacted about the seal and tried to rescue the stranded animal. 

The police loaded the seal onto an animal ambulance, and contacted the seal rescue centre in Pieterburen, near Groningen. Following a consultation with experts, the police were given the all-clear to return the seal to the sea.

Local residents say they have spotted seals in the area before

“We know our work covers a lot of different activities, but we never expected to encounter a seal in the course of our duties,” a spokesman for the Zaanstreek police force said in a post on Facebook.

Though the police did not expect to have to attend such a call-out, it might not be the last one they head to. Residents say that they have spotted seals in the area before, away from the sea. According to NH Nieuws, seals have been spotted in the Purmerringvaart in Purmerend and in the Markermeer as well.

By Emily Proctor