A RESCUED seal from Didim is becoming an instant hit with tourists on the high seas as it follows their tourist voyager boats.

The baby seal, nicknamed Badem, was found wounded on Didim Mavişehir shore last year and treated in İzmir before being released in the sea at Gökova by the Minister of Forestry.

It spent most of the winter on the open seas around the Bodrum Akyaka region and people from across area have been flocking to the shore to see the deal.

Captain Osman Demirci, who runs blue voyage tours in Didim and Bodrum, said the arrival of Badem had seen his tours increase – even if they are out of season.

He said: “Especially on Saturdays and Sundays, many people from Muğla and its districts come to see Badem. Badem is very accustomed to people and does not leave here. It is like the mascot of the area.” Osman said that Badem had come on their boat during a blue voyage.

He said: “The tourists on the boat could not believe their eyes and some were scared. “Badem was following the boat. I was curious as to what it would do so I stopped the boat. It looked around for a few minutes and then came on the boat. It was our guest for six hours. All our customers had an unforgettable day.”

Badem, which was 22.5 kilos when it had washed ashore, has now reached 100 kilos. It is watched round the clock from the satellite by a microchip on it.