"Leave Seals Alone (DC)"

31 October 2025

90s

Look, don't touch.

It's not been a great year for seal pups so far. Mouth rot has wreaked havoc on the Norfolk coast, with lesions and ulcers rife among harbour seals. It's a worry for Seal Rescue Ireland, too, no doubt, but the charity's most concerned about people who wander too close to the animals. With an actual seal pup off limits, director LIAKH opts for the next thing: a middle-aged bloke in the nip.

He represents the kind of vulnerable infant that should be left well alone, but gets patted on the belly or has water poured over it instead. Despite her partner's best efforts, a woman treats the 'pup' like a pet, even as it growls "I hate this" and "I will bite you". By the time she's taken a photo for the downstairs toilet—what an honour for such a young creature—she's gone as far as she can go, right? Right!?

We won't spoil the tragicomic final insult, but it caps off a weird and wonderful take on animal welfare ads. Even the obligatory shot of a real seal pup has a cheeky twist to it that further rams home the message.

Ireland

Charities