The Golden Coast beach in Changhaixian county, Dalian, in Northeast China's Liaoning province, has been noticeably quieter in recent weeks.
Just two months ago, the beach was abuzz with activity, with cameras trained on one particular attraction: a seal named Nana. Some visitors even set up livestreams along the shore, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
Nana, a wild spotted seal, had become an internet sensation. Videos showed him swimming up to visitors, rubbing against their legs and responding to calls of his name. He was also happy to catch small fish tossed his way by tourists. His favorite hangout was an inflatable amusement structure shaped like a giant yellow duck, where he could often be found basking in the sun.
His last confirmed sighting at Golden Coast was on Oct 18. After frolicking near the shore, he slipped into the water in search of fish and hasn't been seen since.
Since then, internet users have been sharing footage of seals swimming in the sea, some wondering whether Nana might be among them. Others have continued to look out for the celebrity seal, posting videos of the empty sea with captions asking: "When will Nana come back?"
