This video is a little long, but it’s totally worth it. Without any provocation, the lil baby seal gets very close to a group of tourists, looking around with curiosity at something he’s never seen before.
The group of humans is of course careful to not touch the seal or get in his way.
A baby elephant seal curious, brave, and too comfortable with and among people it turns out. Petermann island, Antarctica. Below is a longer description in response to viewers' comments.
Antarctica is remote wilderness (yes, even the Peninsula that gets the lion's share of small but increasing tourist numbers). There is no baiting, feeding, tracking or approaching the animals to facilitate interaction with tourists.
All close interaction happens by chance and is initiated by the animal itself. The number of people landing at each site is closely monitored (no more than 100 allowed at once) and they leave no footprint (no flags, food, or any waste).
Petermann island is visited mainly for the scenery and large bird colonies (two penguin kinds, blue-eyed shags etc.). Not seals. Seals in large numbers are more easily observed on the beaches in the sub-antarctic islands. That is why I was thrilled by this spontaneous encounter with the baby seal on a not-so-large piece of rock.
I (Youtube User) did not film the end of this encounter but was told both seal and its observers were sad to part ways and head each to their more permanent abode: seal back in the water and people back onto the mother ship. (Via Youtube)
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cutiiiieeeeeee !!!!
I wonder if that baby is well, maybe she was abandoned, or where is her mother? She may actually be crying for help. I hope not, but it does seem she has difficulty moving and breathiing, actually made me quite sad.
But.. But Moooommyyyy! It followed me home!!!
every time the lady coughed, he looked her way, or came closer, I think he was looking for his mother. poor baby!
SO adorable !
Me pareció que pedía algo para comer.
wonderful ( love)