A harbor seal, which are usually found in the Northern Hemisphere, has been sighted swimming among artificial reefs and resting on floating platforms near Sanya's Wuzhizhou Island in Hainan province.

Wang Aimin, a former professor of oceanic science at Hainan University, said harbor seals are typically found in the North Pacific, the Arctic Ocean, and the Sea of Japan, but have been seen as far south as Guangdong province in the past.

It is the first time a harbor seal has been recorded near Sanya, indicating an improvement in water quality and an abundance of fish resources.

Wuzhizhou Island staff are hopeful that the seal will make the area a permanent home.

Some netizens exclaimed: "Even seals know where the water is safe!"