Swimming with Fur Seals | Sharks up Close with Bertie Gregory | Nat Geo Animals — Monday 18 May 2026In the waters off a remote coastline, wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory plunges into the sea alongside a lively group of fur seals, capturing their playful spins and curious approaches on camera. Part of the National Geographic series Sharks Up Close, the footage shows Gregory hoping these marine acrobats might lead him toward the elusive great white sharks that patrol the same stretches of ocean. The seals, known for their speed and intelligence, turn the dive into an unexpected encounter full of energy and trust between human and animal. For viewers around the world, from the coastal communities of South Africa to the island nations of the Pacific, such moments highlight how local marine life connects to larger global ecosystems. Fur seals and great whites play vital roles in maintaining the balance of ocean food chains, yet they face mounting pressures from changing sea temperatures, fishing practices, and habitat loss that affect livelihoods from Cape Town to California. Gregory’s patient approach reminds audiences that patient observation often reveals more than dramatic chases ever could. The video arrives at a time when many people seek reassurance that wild spaces still thrive. By sharing these underwater scenes, the series encourages a shared sense of stewardship that crosses borders, inviting families in Europe, Asia, and the Americas to consider how everyday choices influence distant shores. In an era of screens and schedules, Gregory’s swim offers a gentle invitation to look outward and remember the living world that sustains us all.Watch the full video from National Geographic below.