Thanks Jeff,
Your comments are welcomed and interesting.
I studied marine biology (dissertation in echolocation in bottlenose dolphins) at Southampton Uni so approach the matter with a scientific interest. My observations of underwater grey seal behaviour off the NE coast of Britain have challlenged various scientific "facts" (eg that grey seal mothers abandon their pups once weaned) and has provided an insight into these creatures that few people have had the opportunity to gain.
Firstly the seal approached me. This is key here. Whenever I am near seals underwater they are 100% in control of the situation. Their ability to move in 3 dimensions leaves me far behind.
I must correct you on your assumption that grey seals are "dangerous" - certain species could be classed as more likely to cause danger if provoked (leopard / elephant seals).
Grey seals certainly have the potential to be dangerous (females average 154kg and males 230kg) BUT having spent literally hundreds of hours with them underwater I have only ever seen them behave in a very gentle manner.
If you respect them they are intelligent incredibly gentle creatures.
(I'd trust a wild 200kg grey seal up close far more than a stray 35kg domestic dog!)
Furthermore I can assure you that the seal is certainly not trying to work out if I am food. Grey seals eat sandeel, whiting, cod and a range of other fish / crustacea even but certainly have the intellect to determine that I am not on their menu.
Interestingly grey seals will often seek out such encounters for what appears to be establishing their position in a social hierarchy within a group. For want of a better term... whoever can "play" with the "diver" exerts their status and social position.
As if a "game" I have often watched a couple of young seals approach divers from behind out of sight and pull on the divers fins only to dart away when the unsuspecting diver turns to see what has caught his fin.
Sometimes I will simply lie on the seabed and a seal will choose to come and lie (as they often do to sleep/ rest) on the seabed beside me.
Should we ever interact with wild animals??
That really is an interesting question?
We can learn a great deal from them and occassionally I believe they seem to get something intangible from us.
If people really saw and knew how gentle and intelligent seals can be would there still be a Canadian Seal Hunt??
One thing for sure is that we should never use food or bait to facilitate any wild encounters. ( I never do this in the sea.... then again I leave nuts and bread for birds in the garden!)
Good debate. Take care and safe diving,
Ben "Seal diver"
www.youtube.com/bburville
