I mean using your graphic it is clearly a seal. It doesn't have ear flaps, it has the posture of a seal, it uses its belly to move and its rear flippers are facing back. I mean maybe you think its front flippers are big but that is just baby proportions being silly.
This is what a baby sea lion looks like, very very different. Seals have to pull themselves out of the water two and all the time are vertical in the water column. How do you think they get on ice sheets?
By himself!?! .. it would be nice if a handler went in to reassure the poor pup on getting in the water. Iโm sure itโll be fine after some experience
If the original, uncredited here, video was watched, you would see it is from an experienced seal sanctuary. Also you don't train rescues to swim with their biggest enemy, unless you're a complete and utter idiot
I wondered exactly the same. Then I thought, does this species live on ice, or rocks? Icebergs or rocks don't necessarily have gentle inclines like beaches. It might be a necessary skill to be able to get out just as happened.