A year has passed since the bearded seal nicknamed Tama-chan moved to the Ara River in Saitama Prefecture from Tama River in Yokohama.
It now seems a long time ago when hundreds of fans flocked to the Tama banks to glimpse the seal. Stalls were even set up selling snacks, including shaved ice to beat the summer heat.
These days Tama-chan can still be spotted, but the mammal has physically changed from its life in Japanese waters. Experts say the seal, which they reckon is 3 three years old, has grown to 1.9 meters long and now weighs about 180 kg, after putting on 30 kg in the past year.