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search  Tama-chan (タマちゃん?) is the name given to a male Bearded
Seal which was first spotted on August 7, 2002 near Maruko
Bridge on Tama River in Tokyo, Japan, and subsequently became a
national celebrity in Japan.   Tama-chan is named after the
river (Tama) where he was first sighted. Strictly speaking, Tama
is the actual name of the seal, and the -chan suffix is a
Japanese title (similar to -san) which marks endearment and/or
cuteness.   The first sighting of the seal was reported heavily
in the Japanese media amid speculation as to whether the
normally arctic seal could survive in a Tokyo river during
summertime. Subsequent sightings generated massive publicity as
huge crowds gathered to watch and TV crews broadcast live
footage across Japan.  Tama-chan subsequently moved to rivers in
nearby central Yokohama where he was a regular sight in Tsurumi
and Katabira Rivers for the following months. Thousands gathered
on bridges in the city daily to catch