VIDEO: 200lb elephant seal gives photographer a hug

VIDEO: 200lb elephant seal gives photographer a hug
VIDEO: 200lb elephant seal gives photographer a hug
Seal-ing a friendship: Moment a 200lb elephant seal calf snuggles up to a photographer to give her a huge hug Chris Bray and his wife Jess Taunton were on South Georgia, South Atlantic  The couple were taking photographs of King Penguins on the remote island  When Jess lay down on the ground, three elephant seal pups approached her The seals lay over Jess' arms and legs while her husband continued filming  

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This is the hilarious moment a 200lb shuffled lay on top of a wildlife photographer. 

Chris Bray, 38, was on a photographic expedition in Gold Harbour on the island of South Georgia, in the South Atlantic, when he and his wife came across a group of king penguins.

While getting in close to photograph the penguins, a group of elephant seal pups approached the duo.

One of pups broke away from the group and began showing special interest in Chris' wife Jess Taunton.

Jess Taunton, pictured, was photographing penguins in South Georgia when she was approached by an elephant seal cub

Jess Taunton, pictured, was photographing penguins in South Georgia when she was approached by an elephant seal cub

Within a couple of minutes, a second and a third seal came to investigate the Australian wildlife photographer

Within a couple of minutes, a second and a third seal came to investigate the Australian wildlife photographer 

Several people criticised her online for getting too close to the seals, but she said the pups approached her and official guidance says people should not attempt to push them off

Several people criticised her online for getting too close to the seals, but she said the pups approached her and official guidance says people should not attempt to push them off

The video shows the curious creature repeatedly putting its body weight on top of Jessica as if it was giving her a big hug. 

Elephant seals in the area can grow up to 8,800lbs and measure up to 19ft in length. 

The first seal was followed by a second and a third who all started laying on the Australian wildlife photographer.  

Chris, a geographic wildlife photographer from Christmas Island, Australia, said: 'My wife Jess was lying down to take a shot of some king penguins in South Georgia when a marauding gang of elephant seal pups decided to flop on over and give her a hug.

'They're as heavy as they are adorable, almost.'

After the footage of the encounter from December 2018 was shared online recently, some people criticised Jessica for getting too close to the seals. 

She said: 'As anyone who's been lucky enough to go to South Georgia knows, young elephant seal pups like this are almost as curious and brazen as they are heavy'

She said: 'As anyone who's been lucky enough to go to South Georgia knows, young elephant seal pups like this are almost as curious and brazen as they are heavy'

However, she responded on Instagram: 'As anyone who's been lucky enough to go to South Georgia knows, young elephant seal pups like this are almost as curious and brazen

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