Seals’ full-blown mating ritual leaves viewers in stitches
Presenter in awe of renowned friend
BBC viewers have shared their reactions after learning about a seal's unique mating ritual on BBC's Frozen Planet II.
The long-awaited wildlife show, hosted by David Attenborough, returned to screens on Sunday.
In the show, David explained how the male seal develops inflatable noses at six years of age and revealed when they're enlarged, it shows they're ready to breed.
The much-loved narrator explained that the bigger the animal's nose becomes, the more attractive they are to a female.
In eyebrow-raising scenes, the male seal is seen inflating the sack in his left nostril until it blows up to the size of pretty large red balloon as his mating call.
However, his unimpressed love interest gives him a sharp nip on the tail, which is the seal equivalent of facing rejection.
David's brilliant commentary had viewers in hysterics as he said: “No wonder he's deflated.”
It didn't take long until viewers shared their hilarious reactions,
PRESENTER Liz Bonnin said it feels surreal to be friends with David Attenborough after growing up watching him.
The science and wildlife host — born in France but raised in Ireland — has worked with the legendary broadcaster throughout her career on various shows and shared panels, and was even appointed to the prestigious role of President of the Wildlife Trust thanks to his recommendation.
Lifting the lid on their friendship, the broadcaster admitted she still pinches herself to be able to call him a friend. “He is absolutely what you imagine him to be and more,” she told the RTE Guide.
“When I first met him, I couldn’t put a sentence together. Over the years, we have gotten to know with many in fits of giggles.
One wrote: “Hey, who wants to see my expandable sack?!”
Another admitted: “I wouldn't be impressed with a nose ball bag either, love.”
Anweighed other each other, which is still a surreal thing for me to say.
“Sometimes, he will pick up the phone or comment on something.
“He actually recommended me for the position I now hold as President of the Wildlife Trust.
“It is a huge honour to have that role which he held for so many years.
Television
“So we have a lovely friendship now, which is still just beyond me because I can remember watching him on the television as a kid, thinking ‘oh my gosh, this man’.
“It has been an absolute bonkers experience to get to know him.
“He still has this lovely, awe-inspiring, childish curiosity and joy about the world. It’s absolutely wonderful to see.”
in: “Those hooded seals have the strangest idea of sexy I've ever seen.”
While another joked: “Size matters,” and an unimpressed tweeter added: “I'd be turned off too.”
Liz became the first woman to take the role of president when she took over in 2020, following in the footsteps of Presidents Emeritus Attenborough, Simon King and Tony Jupiter.
The broadcaster is renowned for bringing the hard truths of the natural world as well as its beauty and wonder to TV.
And her new RTE show The Island will be no different — as she will chat to scientists, geologists and experts who uncover long-buried evidence of Ireland’s origins.
“It’s an incredible story and I meet a whole group of different geologists who look at Ireland’s rocks, waterways and seabed to put together the puzzle that is Ireland’s history,” she said.
Bonnin said the show also felt like a homecoming.