My volunteer experience at the Vancouver Aquarium is so rewarding that often times I feel I am receiving far more than I am giving. I love the Aquarium, love the creatures in its care, love the people who do the caring. I am learning so much and the more I learn the more I discover I know even less than I thought I did. The Aquarium is fascinating and it is inspiring.
Just this morning my husband and I witnessed the release of seven harbour seals at our local beach. It was a low key event, media was not alerted nor was the general public – but it was not a secret. Over a hundred people, most affiliated in some way with the aquarium, gathered to watch the seven pups return to their natural habitat. It was lovely. A real good news story.
We watched the van drive up, waited with the small crowd as they carried the kennels to the water’s edge. There was an excited hum in the crowd but not much noise – Canadians seem to be a reserved lot most of the time. There was no juggling for vantage, no budging in front — we were a polite bunch. Cell phones and cameras were poised to document the moment.
The doors of the kennels were opened. There was no mad dash to the water – the pups seemed tentative, reluctant, to make their escape. The crowd exhaled a quiet, collective ‘ahhh’ and the little critters began to work their way slowly toward the water.
Harbour Seals are not particularly graceful on land – they are chubby and floppy – but so damned cute they make your heart squish. I felt there should have been more of a fanfare when the pups reached the ocean, that we should have at least raised our voices in a rendition of Born Free, or our hands in the Vulcan salute – ‘live long and prosper’ – but there was only quiet applause and a lot of smiling.
Seven Harbour Seal pups have been returned to their place of origin – healthier than when they were rescued. They have been nursed and loved to a place where it was safe to set them free. The Aquarium’s mandate is one of conservation and care. I am so pleased I joined the team, so lucky to have the opportunity to be part of this wonderful organization. I do get far more than the time I give. Today’s event just sealed the deal.