People ask me to describe the "emotion", "how do you feel?" when a wild seal interacts...
Life can be hectic, at times stressful - we rush around at 100 mph juggling priorities and attempting to find a balance. I am very lucky indeed to be healthy, to have a good (if rather stressful) career, to love my work and to have a very loving, supportive, understanding & caring family.
At times we all need to relax and try to appreciate the moment...
When I escape underwater and the sea closes in over me, beneath the waves, I find a calm. When in that environment a wild animal (in this case a seal) chooses to approach and interact for no obvious reward (NB I never use food or bait of ANY kind -it would alter behaviour and be potentially dangerous) it is a privilege.
Time stands still.
Work and the concept of stress seem very distant.
You look into the eyes of the seal and there is a connection, a warmth despite the cold North Sea waters surrounding you.
There is tranquility, peace and a certain magic.
When a wild seal grasps your hand in its front flipper and responds in turn to your squeeze with a gentle squeeze of your gloved hand it makes you realise that nature is truly special.
Animals are probably far more intelligent than we generally accept.
We must respect our environment.
We must protect our natural heritage.
We must not let greed, ignorance or materialism destroy something so precious and yet so vulnerable.
With specific reference to grey seals there are more African elephants in the world than grey seals.
They need protection with c.40% of the World's Grey Seal population around the UK coastline.
Occasionally a grey seal may take the odd salmon from a net, but much of that behaviour is due to the fact that large scale factory fishing has depleted the seals primary food - sandeel. (*More tonnes of sandeel are fished from the North Sea than any other fish (!) primarily for animal/fish feed & fish oil supplements - Sandeel are towards the bottom of the food chain and their overfishing has a knock on effect with puffin, guillemot and other birds as well as other fish such as cod)
