On the storm-battered coast of Hayle, Cornwall, a lone grey seal pup is struggling to survive after being abandoned by its mother. The pup, just four to five weeks old, has taken shelter under a rocky outcrop as powerful waves crash against the shore.
Grey seals, known scientifically as Halichoerus grypus or 'hooked-nosed sea pig', give birth in winter. Pups are born with white lanugo fur, which keeps them warm but is not waterproof. Mothers leave them on beaches while hunting, returning every few hours to feed them. After about three weeks, mothers depart permanently, leaving pups to fend for themselves.
The young seal has developed its adult coat but remains vulnerable. With no instructor, it must learn to swim, dive, and hunt through trial and error, facing strong currents and rough conditions. Statistics show that 30% of pups do not survive their first month, and half die within their first year due to starvation, disease, and marine pollution.
As the tide rises rapidly, the beach will soon disappear, forcing the pup into the murky depths alone. Locals watch from a viewing point as the small grey head peeps out tentatively, observing the adult seals that lie clustered nearby.
