Sammy soaks up the atmosphere at Mayor’s event

Sammy the Seal popped its head out of the water to see what all the fuss was about at the Mayor's Parade.

Traditionally held in May, this year’s premier league crowd-puller ‘Marched’ out early in light of the existing city council’s scheduled end-of-the-month exit.

But even if she can’t just read all about it in the Ulster Star, ‘Sammy’ the seal isn’t one to be caught napping by a change of plans.

So it was that, when the parade festivities were in full swing, Sammy put in the latest in a growing number of public appearances.

As passersby sauntered, strolled or sped along the riverbank near the Island Centre, Sammy was spotted taking her ease and soaking up the atmosphere.

Video footage (available to view on our website, www.lisburntoday.co.ok)shows her enjoying a leisurely swim close to the action.

Recently identified by the Northern Ireland aquarium, Exploris, as a female grey seal, Sammy has reportedly taken to openly exploring her adoptive home.

Only last week BBC Newsline posted on Facebook a picture of Sammy taken seven miles or so inland, between Lisburn and Seymour Hill.

Also in recent weeks she was photographed ably negotiating the Lagan Weir.

The hardly shy but nonetheless slippery customer has, however, evaded at least two recent attempts, by eager-to-help Exploris experts, to get a closer look. One thing seems certain - she’ll be back.