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Possibly Headless Seal Seen Floating in Water Off Red Hook

 A dead seal, possibly headless, was seen floating off the coast of the Pier 44 Waterfront Garden on Wednesday morning. 
Dead Seal Spotted in Red Hook, Witnesses Say
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RED HOOK — A dead seal was spotted Wednesday morning along the coast in Red Hook, witnesses said.

The floating carcass of the animal was seen off the Pier 44 waterfront garden near the end of Conover Street, locals said.

Bernadette Ott, who has lived in Red Hook for a decade, said she saw the deceased seal, which appeared to be headless, and alerted the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.

The foundation did not immediately return requests for comment.

Experts have previously said seals are usually seen more often around New York when the weather turns warmer. Weekend seal-watching cruises began this month on The American Princess Cruises.

David Sharps, president of the Waterfront Museum that's docked nearby on Conover Street in Red Hook, also saw the seal Wednesday morning. 

 A dead sturgeon had washed up on the rocks in Red Hook last year.
A dead sturgeon had washed up on the rocks in Red Hook last year.
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David Sharps

Sharps, who recalled a "prehistoric" looking sturgeon that washed up last year, said he did not expect any official response, but that the carcass would likely go out with the tide and eventually sink.