One thing that unites various animal species, from dogs to horses to tigers, is the deep maternal love they have for their offspring.
A heart-melting video going viral on TikTok, shared by user @sophiarouches, captures a seal mama gently giving her pup back scratches as they bask in the sun at the beach, just like any loving mother and child duo would.
The caption accompanying the video reads, “Everyone loves a good back scratch,” echoing the sentiment of this touching moment.
Specific species of seals, once threatened by hunting and deliberate killing in the 1960s, are now making a comeback along the U.S. West Coast, thanks to conservation efforts such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
However, with the seals’ return to their natural habitats, there are concerns about their impact on local salmon populations, which are crucial for killer whales’ diet as well.
Contrary to misconceptions, eliminating seals would not aid salmon conservation. In reality, seals help maintain a balanced ecosystem by controlling predator fish that feed on salmon, ultimately supporting salmon recovery.
The heartwarming video swiftly gained traction on social media, amassing over 1.6 million views and 202,000 likes. Users flooded the comments section with adoring remarks, with one user marveling at the seals’ cuteness and another expressing a desire to swap places with the sun-soaked pup.