450-pound seal removed from northern Alaska airport's runway

[Judi Lynn]

Updated 4:54 pm, Wednesday, October 25, 2017



Photo: Scott Babcock, AP
This Oct. 23, 2017, photo provided by Scott Babcock shows a seal that wound up on the runway at the airport in Utiqiagvik, Alaska. A sled was brought in to remove the seal in the community formerly known as Barrow, Alaska. (Scott Babcock via AP)


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — In Alaska, it's not uncommon for wildlife like polar bears to wander onto an airport's runway, but a lounging seal is far more unusual.

But that's what workers found at the airport in the nation's northernmost city on Monday. A seal estimated to weigh 450 pounds (204 kilograms) was removed from the runway at the airport at Utqiagvik (pronounced (oot-GHAR'-vik) by way of sled, KTVA reported .

 
A photo and video of the bearded seal lounging on the runway in the town formerly known as Barrow was shared by Scott Babcock on Facebook .

The state Department of Transportation got in on the fun by warning pilots of "low sealings" at the airport.

More:
http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/450-pound-seal-removed-from-northern-Alaska-12306573.php

[lapfog_1]

1. To be fair to the seal

The runway is only about 1000 feet from the shore line.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

2. Warming his/her tummy on the blacktop, LOL.