Grey seals share similarities with human infants, displaying recognizable traits and expressions. Various cultural perceptions exist, from competition over fish to viewing them as helpless. Although seals do not weep emotionally, they have faced hunting and threats due to their impact on fisheries. Despite declines leading to population recovery through protective legislation, seals continue to evoke mixed feelings, as some view them as threats to fishing. The intelligent nature of seals often leads to humorous depictions, contrasting with the fishing community's concerns about dwindling fish stocks.
There is no creature born, even among the greater apes, which more resembles a human baby in its ways and its cries than a baby grey seal.
Seals’ large eyes, the five digits of their flippers, their lanugo all erode the mental barriers we erect between ourselves and our marine cousins.
Seals do not actually weep under the influence of emotion (they do so to moisten their eyes), though they have had reason to feel sadness and terror.
In recent decades the numbers of grey and harbour seals have recovered, largely thanks to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
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