Seal research old-style
| 4 |
| Jul |
| 2010 |
This rather surprising narrative is not from a 60s detective novel but The Seals and the Scientists, an account of seal research on Ramsey (mercifully not recent!):
A sudden scuffle behind the rock against which Ronald was leaning spun us round as one, and in a flash the sound of scrabbling pebbles was drowned in the ear-splitting bark of the rifle as Syd fired, staggered back a step, and fired again.
"Clean missed him, myn diawl!" he shouted, rushing through the smoke to the water's edge, his rifle ready for another shot.
But the seal had gone; we were so close that Syd had not taken a fine enough sight, and the bullets had gone over its head...there was only the slick on the surface where the seal had splashed in... "That's our last chance gone," said Ronald, as the others hurried into the cave. "Well, better luck next time."
I have asked research scientists about this and they have acknowledged that some scientists used to shoot seals to study them but they are keen to reassure that this is now thankfully not common practice!
More to follow...
