Shortly before eight o'clock on Monday morning, the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) issued a warning that traffic on the E4 between Bureå and Yttervik had been affected by a seal that had strayed on to the road. The incident had a minor impact on traffic, but traffic flow was reported to be limited.
According to police spokesperson Elin Andersson, the police have been contacted about the seal that was hit. The police are responsible for dealing with accidents involving certain animals. These are species classified as state game. Seals do not fall into this category, says Elin Andersson.
– But we have contacted a search hunter who will go out and make sure the animal does not suffer further, she says.
Felicia Danielsson, a press officer at Trafikverket says seal pups can get lost in the spring.
– Seal mothers abandon their pups quite quickly, and they have to fend for themselves. But the pups are a bit confused and can turn up in unusual places.
How common is this?
– It's not very common, but at this time of year, confused young seals can appear on our roads.
Should we be on the lookout for stray gray creatures when driving along the Norrland coast?
– Well, it's not an animal that moves very fast on land. They won't suddenly run out onto the road. But it's good to report it if you see something, so that the seal can be guided back to the nearest water.