Giving seals a voice is at the heart of everything we do — so when the chance came to reach five million Countryfile viewers, we knew the responsibility was huge. This behind-the-scenes story shows how collaboration and clear messaging can make a real difference for seals.

In Marine Super Year 2021, little did we know when CSGRT were mentioned by Rebecca Pow in her Ocean Recovery Conference speech, that we would soon meet her online via zoom and then she would visit us later in the year. Despite her busy schedule as Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Domestic Environment, Rebecca approached us to host a visit for her to share news of our marine conservation work with seals. 

Meet Septimus — an adult male grey seal… and a rather famous seal skeleton! During the easing of lockdown, I was invited onto national TV to appear on Springwatch. From travelling to the Cornwall Beaver Project with my chaperone Sue Sayer, to meeting Gillian Burke and experiencing the behind-the-scenes chaos of live television, it was an unforgettable adventure — and a powerful moment to share my story and the real impacts of wildlife disturbance.