A grey seal was reported to be seen near Eaton Socon lock on Friday afternoon and the creature has been spotted a number of times since.
Bob Crompton was on his way to the Bedford River Festival in a steam narrow boat when he became aware of the animal.

He said: "We heard a bit of commotion and then saw the seal, which was in the pond just below the lock. About ten minutes later the seal got into the lock, and then into the river beyond it, heading for Bedford."
Mr Compton was travelling to the festival in President - a steam narrowboat that was nearing the end of a six-week journey from a museum in Dudley in the West Midlands.

He added: "It's quite unusual to see a seal in this area but apparently they have occasionally been seen here before. It is a saltwater animal but hopefully it is ok because it didn't look too distressed."
The seal – which is believed to be a young male – is likely to have swum into The Wash near Kings Lynn before continuing up the river looking for food.

Kieran Copeland, from the Hunstanton Seal Sanctuary in Norfolk, said: "This kind of thing does happen every now and again and we are monitoring the situation with the Environment Agency. We are tracking the seal and hope that it will make its own way back to the sea.
"But if it doesn't we will have to try to catch it, and this can be quite difficult as well as being stressful for the animal."

He added: "If the seal goes onto land people should keep well away from him and certainly not feed him. He is a wild animal and, if cornered, will bite in self-defence.

"I've been bitten by a seal a few times – it's very painful and can end up in a hospital visit."

>> If you spot the seal call the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or the Hunstanton Seal Sanctuary on 01485 533576.