A seal from the Arctic somehow wound up in warm waters near Stuart Florida thousands of miles from home.

Wildlife officials are concerned and are trying to rescue it, but the seal is proving to be elusive.

The so-called bearded seal was first spotted Thursday and appears sickly. It was swimming south in the Intercoastal Waterway.

It's not clear how long the 300-pound seal can live in Florida's warm waters. Scientists say its chances of surviving are slim unless it is rescued. Officials say the animal appears dehydrated and thin, with its eyes sunken, and its neck not as thick as it should be.