*WARNING : BLOG CONTAINS DISTRESSING IMAGES
As a wildlife photographer , being immersed in nature will always bring both highs and lows , but sadly not always in equal measure, and none more so than sadly presenting the stark reality of human impact on nature over the past few days …
Photography has always given the ability to preserve the beauty of nature at its most beautiful best on camera, but the camera also brings to attention, just how devastating our impact on nature truly is…
Late November each year, heralds the arrival of thousands of grey seals to some of the UK’s largest grey seal colonies on the east coast.
The arrival of the heavily pregnant females, looking to secure a safe spot to give birth and raise the next generation.
This is a perilous time for the females and pups with a constant threat of danger never far way at anytime.
With the arrival of the larger males, looking to mate with the females immediately after they have given birth, the continual battle for dominance is relentless, and with space at a premium on the beaches, the threat to newborn pups being crushed or injured during these battles is ever present.
Sadly around 30% of grey seal pups die within the first month of life, and about half die within their first year.
Natural dangers and threats are simply just one battle that nature has to endure in its quest for survival … but the threats caused by humanity continue to grow and this was tragically evident over the past few days.
Heading into nature for a few days with the camera bags is always a memorable experience, never knowing just what each day will present by way of photographic opportunities, but the past few days presented a shocking photographic opportunity that I never hoped to highlight and focus my lens on .
Within 30 minutes of setting up the camera, I certainly didn’t envisage witnessing the distressing sight of a grey seal with a serious looking lesion caused by entanglement with manmade marine debris embedded deep into its neck.
Tragically for this poor individual, the only help currently available, are the evidence of these images and an emergency call made to alert the local rescue team of the situation . The images will hopefully be of help in assessing the situation, the potential extent of the injury and identify the individual in the short term.
Sadly due to the delicate balance of nature at this point, with females continually arriving on the beach, preparing to give birth or feeding newborns who are extremely vulnerable in the first few hours and days, any attempt to currently rescue may cause more harm than good, due to creating disturbance that potentially can cause females to abandon pups or drive heavily pregnant females back into the sea .
There is no way of knowing how long this poor individual has been carrying this entanglement, but judging by the images I was able to gain and from personal observations, this individual seemed surprisingly calm and didnt seem to be showing any signs of extreme distress, making it a possibility that this seal may have been carrying this for a while .
It is hoped that if this poor individual can make it through the next few weeks and stays within the area . Once it is safe to do so, an emergency rescue may then be possible to assist the seal, remove the rope, treat the lesions and hopefully be successfully released back into the area.
The impact and trauma created by humanity on nature is a major global emergency, from climate and environmental damage, to destroying habitat and direct impact on wildlife and marine ecosystems with emergencies such as witnessed in the past few days .
Nature and its resources , upon which all life depends, demands nothing from humanity, but simply seeks a level of care and respect to ensure its survival …
Whatever actions we take, whatever choices we make ,we carry a level of intelligence that enables us to make choices ,decisions and actions…choices, decisions and actions that can directly affect and impact nature … even our own existence in the long term…. Always remember , we do not own nature... we are part of it …
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