A Talking U.S. Seal That Captivated Crowds
When George first told staff at an aquarium that a U.S. seal named Hoover could imitate human speech, few believed him. At first, Hoover remained silent after arriving at the aquarium. However, in 1978, everything changed. Staff were stunned when they heard the seal mimic George’s distinctive New England accent, saying his own name. This surprising display evolved into a series of vocalizations, including loud laughs and playful shouts, delighting visitors until Hoover passed away in 1985.
Exploring Seal Recovery in North America
Hoover’s remarkable story is just one chapter in Alix Morris’s book, A Year with the Seals. The science writer travels across the U.S. and Canada, following the lives of seals and those involved in their protection. Rather than focusing solely on species at risk, Morris shifts the narrative toward the results of successful conservation. Her book provides insight into what happens after recovery—and how that recovery creates new challenges.
Conservation Success and Its Complications
By the mid-1900s, gray and harbor seals in the U.S. were nearly wiped out, largely due to the fishing industry. Their comeback began with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. But as populations rebounded, conflicts with fishermen escalated. Morris highlights these tensions, especially along New England’s coast and in the Pacific Northwest.
In Tacoma, Washington, she speaks with members of the Puyallup Tribe, including activist Ramona Bennett. They voice concerns about increased seal competition for dwindling salmon stocks—a struggle deeply rooted in tribal fishing rights and decades of environmental decline.
The Complex Web of Wildlife, Humans, and Policy
Rising white shark numbers along the East Coast, tied to protections in place since the 1990s, add to community anxieties. Seals—key prey for sharks—are often unfairly blamed. Though killing seals is illegal, some locals demand culls, arguing that fewer seals might reduce shark encounters.
Morris also sheds light on well-intentioned but harmful human behavior. At a seal rescue in Maine, she witnesses a man posing with an abandoned pup—a violation of federal law. Sadly, the pup later dies, a likely result of stress, dehydration, and malnutrition.
Rethinking the Conservation Conversation
Throughout the book, Morris bridges the divide between those advocating for wildlife protection and those bearing its costs. She argues that environmental conflict often stems from deeper social and economic inequalities. While some champion full protection, others—especially those whose livelihoods are impacted—are left navigating real trade-offs.
Ultimately, Morris suggests that instead of asking how to control nature, we should be asking how to better manage ourselves. A Year with the Seals doesn’t claim to have all the answers—but it offers a thoughtful reflection on how humans and wildlife can coexist in a world where success for one often creates challenges for another.
