Seal Shot after Lunging at Naturalist
Mr G H Storer, a Burton on Trent naturalist, was bird shooting at Gibraltar Point in 1910 when he saw a large seal coming ashore.
Making his way to a position between it and the sea, Mr Storer was about to take aim when was horrified to see the creature lunging rapidly in his direction.
He had no time to fire, but lowered his gun, at which the seal made a savage snap with its strong fangs.
After a brief tussle Mr Storer shot the seal through the heart.
Mr Storer said, “The seal, which was close on five feet long snapped at my leg: I dropped the gun in the nick of time, with the result that it made a savage bite at the stock, leaving deep impressions of its teeth marks. After I had evaded several plunges, I managed to secure my gun again and shot the brute. I was myself well nigh exhausted.”
Mr Storer stuffed the head of the seal, which eventually was exhibited before the members of the Burton Natural History Society.
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