Baby Seal Can't Believe It's Being Released Into The Wild (VIDEO)

This is heartwarming.

This Northern Fur Seal was released back into the wild after being rehabilitated at the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre in British Columbia (located on Salt Spring Island). The seal, which was rehabilitated after washing ashore, was rehydrated and released on a beach near Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The young seal looks almost surprised to be let go. At first he seems to be afraid to leave, but takes off full speed for the ocean as soon as he's confident.

Island Wildlife rescues seals all the time, in various conditions. While some seals require more serious attention, other less critical creatures get rehydrated and quickly released. You can see more images and videos, and learn more about the program, at sealrescue.org.

WATCH:

Comments

[MsMartie]

02:52 PM on 06/27/2011

Can't they call them something besides 'fur' seals? Anyone who would wear their fur is an animal themselves.

[jmills616]

10:04 PM on 05/21/2011

It would be so cool if that little fella was quickly eaten by a great white shark or killer whale in HD! That's truth staring you in the face...not some silly PETA Disney fantasy. Sure it's cute but I have no illusions about what nature has in store for more of these "rescues".

[oxford85]

03:57 PM on 05/24/2011

With that reasoning we should let all the people who have been injured from the tornado in Joplin MO, go without aid or be rescued because we should have no illusions as to what nature has in store for them again. Grow up and learn about valuing life.

[Nerdiac]

08:53 PM on 06/24/2011

Less likely a shark will get him, more likely a Canadian dude will bash his head in.

[gwilkes2]

03:00 AM on 05/20/2011

And the little creature darts for freedom........Nice vid.......

[margiesmemories]

02:01 PM on 05/18/2011

I know it is the right thing to do but he is soooo little.

[Andy McDonald]

12:26 PM on 05/18/2011

(Tears) ... Damn you, Disney, for training us to personify adorable animals for so long.

[HitGirl]

11:56 AM on 05/18/2011

D'awwwww.

[ashabot]

10:45 AM on 05/18/2011

Yay again. I've watched this video a couple of time. It really cheers me up. I so need to see things like this happening in the world, humans being good, kind, compassionate and helpful to different species. Thanks for posting it. Good luck, little guy!

[DariaBlack]

06:48 AM on 05/18/2011

Cuteness factor > 9000. Hopefully he gets to live out his day happy and free :)

[O K Ali]

09:57 PM on 05/17/2011

I left a little mint on the pillow. Bwah ha ha, that's not a mint.

[DebbyBruck]

09:39 PM on 05/17/2011

Worth the visit to HuffPost to view the release of baby seal back into the wild. Nice one!

[ashabot]

10:46 AM on 05/18/2011

Indeed it is. F/F.

[InVinoVeritasBC]

05:58 PM on 05/17/2011

I'm donating all I can to the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre in British Columbia.... Work like this IS Heaven's work... SO HEARTWARMING!!!!!!!!! I'm-a gunna watch again :)

[Irene Allori]

01:02 PM on 05/17/2011

This little seal is really sweet.It looks around as my cat!:)

[one tequila two tequila]

09:04 AM on 05/17/2011

This is what a video should be...

[Chrystal Ji Davey]

08:07 AM on 05/17/2011

It's not often that things like this make me cry like a little girl.
It's not often that I cry at all.
Wow. What a liberating feeling that must have been.

[Cailleach Echo]

10:50 PM on 05/13/2011

Just what we needed - Good News for a change.

Good Luck little guy. Watch out for Orcas!