The Seal
Writer: Mads Wolter Nielsen
28.04.23
The Seal
Dear reader, today we are continuing the series on the wildlife at Yggdrasil Sanctuary. The animals and nature we are guests in are stunning, captivating and inspirational. All animals, like people, have different behavioral patterns that can represent different emotions or personal traits, in us humans. We are tied together with the animals around us, and therefore this series is called: Yggdrasil Sanctuary’s spirit animals
In Denmark we have but two species of seals, They belong to the group “true seals” which are genetically separate from the “ear seals” in that group we find the sea lions and fur seals.
In the group “true seals” we find the seals, sea elephants among other species.
The danish seals are the harbour seal (also known as spotted seal or common seal). This species is the most abundant of the two, in danish waters. It grows to around 150 cm and weighs 80-125 kg.
The other species we have is the Grey seal. This impressive animal grows to a stunning +200 cm and can weigh around 300 kg. Both seals feed primarily on fish, but also crustaceans, mussels and squids, and sometimes birds, are a part of the diet.
The Grey seal has also been known to prey on the smaller harbour seal, among other larger prey items.
The seal population in Denmark was for many years during the 1900’s in rapid decline due to human poaching, angry fishermen have for many years complained about the loss of catch due to the predation of seals.
A ban on poaching and killing of these majestic creatures has led to a small but steady incline in the population for both the breeding and visiting groups. The continued pressure from dissatisfied fishermen has led the danish government to impose a regulatory permission on specific individuals that are particularly interfering with fishermens yield.
At Yggdrasil Sanctuary we welcome the sight of these majestic and wholesome aquatic mammals. Seals need undisturbed beach areas, Islands and the like, to breed, rear their young and rest from hunting. It is important that we not only preserve as many areas as possible, but also that we give some areas back to the seals, where they can hunt freely and not be disturbed by human interaction.
We exist alongside the seals, not in competition with them. If we at Yggdrasil can help establish an area that serves as a sanctuary not only for humans but also for seals and other animals, we have succeeded in our mission.
The young seals typically in June-July please leave them be. If you want to do something you can notify authority (Naturstyrelsen) and even help tell other people to stay clear. The young seals can’t swim and they are left defenseless on the beach while the mom is out hunting for food. She can be gone a long time but if she spots humans she might not return to her pup.
These animals need all the help they can get from us, and the best way to help them is to give them space and stay clear.
The seal totem
The seal is an amazing swimmer, a lethal predator and is very curious and inquisitive by nature. Confident in their swimming ability you will, if you are lucky, be visited by a seal when swimming in waters away from populated areas. If you do meet a seal it will most likely come very close to see who and what you are. Seals are incredibly intelligent and can interact with us on a very intimate level, just like our house pets. Experiencing such an encounter with a truly wild animal can be breathtaking, and really connects with the inner nature in our DNA. If seeing a seal or getting a meeting with one as I just described might mean the seal is your spirit animal and it brings you the totem of its being.
People born with a Seal Totem have incredible inner strength. You always try to stay true to yourself while also adapting to life’s ongoing change.If Seal is your Birth Totem Animal, you are one of those people with big dreams that finds a way to manifest your aspirations. There’s a peaceful whimsy about you that makes everyone comfortable. You are a genuine believer in the adage that laughter is the best medicine.
One of the exceptional gifts you get from Seal Energy is being able to balance your head and heart even with pressing matters. With less important things, you may get moody, but that’s just Seal’s ties to the Water Element rising to the fore. When you feel Water Energies overwhelming, do as the Seal does; swim out of emotions, come up for air, take a deep cleansing breath, and get back in touch with Earth Energies to ground yourself.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Maybe you are experienced in dealing with totem animals or maybe you have never heard of it before. regardless I hoped you learned something you found interesting about the raven. If you have any great stories concerning ravens or perhaps your own spirit animal, feel free to write us an email or DM on social media and share your story.
I hope to see you in the forest at Yggdrasil Sanctuary.
Cheers
Mads
