Precious Harp Seal Pup Relaxes in the Snow

Occurred on February 3, 2017 / Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec, Canada

Info from Licensor: "The clip was taken on the ice floes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, close to Iles de la Madeleine, Canada. The harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) migrate from the feeding grounds to the breeding grounds to give birth on the ice there to be safe from predators like polar bears. The pups get fed for 14 days with a high percentage of milk fat. After feeding, they’re pretty chilled and if you approach them with caution, shuffle your way, you can spend lots of time with them up close. No touching, just respectful encounters. In years with unstable ice conditions, the mortality rate can be as high as 100%. Some species depend on ice to breed, like these seals, and any change in climate will have an effect on them."