{"id":239014,"date":"2026-01-15T07:42:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T07:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/239014\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T07:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T07:42:08","slug":"woman-spots-ball-of-kelp-on-rock-then-realizes-its-breathing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/239014\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman Spots ‘Ball Of Kelp’ On Rock \u2014 Then Realizes It’s Breathing"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a nature lover and animal enthusiast, Megan Jacobs is always looking for opportunities to connect with the natural world.<\/p>\n

Jacobs, who\u2019s based in Tasmania, Australia, often documents these experiences and shares them on social media<\/a>, allowing audiences across the globe to enjoy the beauty of her home.<\/p>\n

Recently, Jacobs was walking on the beach in Mount William, a national park along Tasmania\u2019s northeast coast, when she spotted what looked like a \u201cball of kelp<\/a>\u201d nestled on one of the rocks lining the shore.<\/p>\n

\"rockMegan Jacobs <\/p>\n

Suddenly, the \u201ckelp\u201d began to move. With a start, Jacobs realized the kelp wasn\u2019t kelp at all \u2014 it was a small gray seal pup.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was so beautiful,\u201d Jacobs told The Dodo. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be one of those people that come across a seal on the beach, but never imagined it would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"sealMegan Jacobs <\/p>\n

The animal lover kept her distance as she marveled at the seal. He appeared to be fresh out of the water and tired from his journey. Jacobs watched in awe as he yawned, scratched himself and began snoozing on the rock.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was the only soul there,\u201d Jacobs said. \u201cJust me and the seal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"sealMegan Jacobs <\/p>\n

According to Tasmania\u2019s Parks and Wildlife Service<\/a>, seals like this one occasionally come out of the water to rest, mate, moult or give birth. Though seals are less likely to be on land than in water, seeing one of them on the beach is not necessarily a worrying sign.<\/p>\n

The Parks and Wildlife Service also notes that the greatest threat to Tasmanian seals doesn\u2019t come from natural predators, but rather from humans, as illegal shooting and plastic entanglement continue to hurt seal populations. Experts encourage locals to be mindful of seals by picking up their trash and ensuring it doesn’t end up in the sea.<\/p>\n

Jacobs, for her part, didn\u2019t leave anything behind, and she was sure to give the seal all the space he needed to feel safe.<\/p>\n

In the end, the seal went back to his nap, and Jacobs continued on her way, feeling grateful.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really wish for you, with all of my heart, the very best,\u201d Jacobs wrote in a note to the seal on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cThank you for our short time together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Seal<\/a>Seal Rescued And Released 5 Years Ago Shows Up With The Sweetest Surprise\u201cIt’s moments like this that remind us just how vital our rescue and rehabilitation work is.”<\/a>