Once in a great while I come across something so profoundly touching that I am compelled to share it. I was astonished by a video of a woman interacting with an elephant seal in Gold Harbour on remote South Georgia island, located in the South Atlantic off the east coast of South America. In the video, she sits on the ground next to a seal; the animal gradually creeps closer and cuddles up to her, repeatedly reaching up to touch noses. It is the purest example of trust and affection between humans and animals I have ever seen. The video was removed just two days later and the owner’s YouTube account was closed, to the consternation of all who saw it and those who had not yet seen it but had heard the excitement over the footage. Later, it reappeared, posted by a different user. That account holder eventually had to take it down due to copyright infringement issues, but now it has again been posted here. I have no idea how long it will stay up, but for the moment I hope many people take the time to watch.
Commenters on the original YouTube video were split in their opinions about the woman’s actions. Some pointed out that an elephant seal can be aggressive and weigh up to 6,000 pounds, while others objected more vehemently, arguing that this type of interaction irrevocably alters the natural state of wild animals. Although I agree that we should never try to initiate this type of behavior, I also believe that animals – especially mammals – crave affection. In my opinion, if the animal initiates contact, interaction is acceptable. I do wonder about the original video. Was it removed because of the controversy (commenters in social media venues can be brutal) over her actions? Did the tour company find out about the footage and ask her to remove it? I guess we will never know, I am just grateful it’s back.
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cruises, elephant seals, environment, Sandwich Islands, South America, South Georgia, Travel, videos, wildlife
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Many interesting points raised by responses to this amazing video. I agree with so many of the comments about the necessity of protecting wildlife from foolish or cruel humans. Yes, I was touched by the interaction but also wondered if anthropomorphism didn’t play a huge part of how we perceived this animal. Those lustrous and beautiful eyes and that sweet “smile”. It was a “good thing” to see this video and a good learning experience to read the responses. Thank you.
I had a similar, but more fun experience snorkeling near one of the Galapagos Islands. I your sea lion engaged me in a splash fight. He came right up to me and stared at my eyes through my mask. I feared that he was aggressive and going to bite me, so I surfaced. He surfaced. I splashed him. He splashed me back. I dove down and he circled around me. He dove and I circled around him. This splash fight dance lasted about 20 minutes. This clip was a great reminder of one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Thank you!
I had a similar, but more fun experience snorkeling near one of the Galapagos Islands. I your sea lion engaged me in a splash fight. He came right up to me and stared at my eyes through my mask. I feared that he was aggressive and going to bite me, so I surfaced. He surfaced. I splashed him. He splashed me back. I dove down and he circled around me. He dove and I circled around him. This splash fight dance lasted about 20 minutes. This clip was a great reminder of one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Thank you!
Amazing and remarkably touching! In fact, this video is probably one of the most precious things I’ve ever seen in my life! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Amazing and remarkably touching! In fact, this video is probably one of the most precious things I’ve ever seen in my life! Thank you so much for sharing it.
What a big loveable jam tart! I sent this to all my animal-loving friends, and we all hope that the little(?) chap is safe among his own family, and that any future encounters with humans will never cause him harm.
I just sat there mesmerized by your video. It brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.
What a big loveable jam tart! I sent this to all my animal-loving friends, and we all hope that the little(?) chap is safe among his own family, and that any future encounters with humans will never cause him harm.
I just sat there mesmerized by your video. It brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.
It was truly Beautiful!!!!
Am I the only one here who thinks this human/wild animal interaction is totally inappropriate and suicidal? All I could think of was one big bite and her face would be gone. Wild animals are to be viewed from a distance and left alone in nature.
You thought of the woman; I thought of the animal. If this animal learns that humans are to be trusted, some awful thing will happen to the seal at some point (like being trapped, put in a zoo, killed, or God-knows-what.) The woman knows what she is doing. The seal is young and innocent.
Am I the only one here who thinks this human/wild animal interaction is totally inappropriate and suicidal? All I could think of was one big bite and her face would be gone. Wild animals are to be viewed from a distance and left alone in nature.
Watching the video, I wondered if it was a metaphor for other human interactions. What a gentle and loving way to initiate an interaction with another living thing.
Watching the video, I wondered if it was a metaphor for other human interactions. What a gentle and loving way to initiate an interaction with another living thing.
I believe this is the most loving and sweet video I have ever seen between a human being and a wild animal. Since this sweet young seal initiated the contact, and the woman was obviously receptive and confident she would not be injured, I cannot, for the life of me, understand what the problem is. Why is there always someone who has nothing better to do than complain and pass judgment. Why can’t we accept that this was a very special event and this young lady was very lucky to have been part of this “happening”? I for one, would happily take her place.
I agree 100%. Well said.
Amen Grizeldabunch – couldn’t agree more.
People are interacting with animals all over the world including pods of whales. There is a message there if we can just pick up on it. Life is beautiful in all of its shapes and forms and this video if it can be kept going will reach people in a way they have never been reached before – in the heart. I was priviledged to have seen it. Thank you. Robyn
I love this video and really enjoyed the background music….does anyone know what group it is? I would love to get the CD!
Thanks
Jose Padilla, song is Adios Ayer. It is on the Cafe Dal Mar Series, volume six. The whole series of CD’s is incredible.
Exquisite. Having been in The Galapagos Islands I fully understand how the interaction with sea lions can change your life forever. Certainly this woman’s life is altered in the most profound way. Beautiful!
I am a huge animal lover and just for one moment like this would be the most amazing thing in the world.
How is it that humans forget they are mammals, uh, animals, too? Unfortunately, too many people are so far removed from nature that they cannot see that this woman is very much in tune with it. The problem in this world is that people try to compartmentalize everything they see…and actually pass judgement upon others. My upbringing as a Buddhist taught me that everything is in this world for a reason and that we are dependent upon one another for our survival. That there is a reason we are here and the removal of any entity could cause an imbalance. Being one with nature is an awesome awareness.
Red Dancing Dragon: Love your take on things. So right on.
Isn’t it a shame that there are relatively few interspecies experiences as beautiful as this. And when they occur, they stir controversy. Yes, it might have been dangerous, but I think I would probably risk that to have such an experience. I am happy that such experiences are possible.
Toeknee: I agree wholeheartedly. Sometimes, we just have to tune into the
energy of the animal and put ur trust in it.
I agree that this was a remarkable interaction, I kept wishing that could have been me! – I was a bit worried though about the larger adult lounging close-by – they can be very aggressive….the female who may have seen the woman as a threat to her pup, or a male who may have been territorial – mammals do love affection and this was a rare treat for the woman who got to experience it! – boo to those who were so critical
Well, having just seen the video in an e-mail, I think the seal is not a male as stated but a female. I think a male would flatten the tourist by its size and, if provoked in any way, I’m sure would cause serious injury if not death by biting.
I too would have found the affectionate seal irresistable, but the sad truth is, with that kind of contact, she could have given the animal a disease that may be un-healthy or even deadly for that particular species.
I just watched the video, it came to me in an email. It was so fascinating and sweet. The woman in the video obviously knew not to reach out, or advance on the seal. The seal was so gentle and in love with this woman. It was evident that it intended her no harm, but just wanted interaction and affection. Wonderful, fabulous video!!
I posted the video at YouTube and I think I was the second person that posted it. At first it was automatically banned by YouTube’s software as “copyright infringement.” I contacted YouTube by email and it was reactivated until a day or two ago. Now it’s been officially banned by a complaint by “Amazing Nature Videos.” I don’t know who these people are or why they complained but it’s now banned. I was even contacted by someone named “Julie” that wanted to know more information because she was interested in putting it on a National Geographic website called “Caught in the Act.” Of course I told her I didn’t film it and didn’t know who the photographer was or who the lady in the video was. At any rate, I was very disappointed that it was banned. Most of the comments were positive comments.
Hi All: I find it really strange that someone wants to bury this video so
badly. There’s got to be more to the story, but I doubt we’ll ever know what
it is. I’m just glad the site I’ve linked to still has it up.
I am a diver and have often had close encounters with California sea lions. Many times they approach playfully, grab onto a swim fin, blow bubbles, hover upside down or present their backs for a good scratching. They like the roughness of my dive gloves. We need to remember that we are a part of God’s creation and it is ok to interact in a safe and sane way with animals who, even though wild, sometimes want interaction. I see nothing wrong with this interaction as long as the seal initiated contact (which it did).
It’s back on YouTube!
Two words…
Face transplant.
Definitely could have been a possibility, Gilly