A curious seal swam up to a delighted kayaker on London's River Thames on Monday.

"I kayak regularly on the Thames and was paddling from Richmond to Teddington Lock," said filmer Dr. Hannah Peck, a zoologist by training.

"On my return at about midday, I noticed the seal pop up 10 metres or so away, and was so delighted ... I’d heard the seal was hanging out around Teddington lock but hadn’t expected to see it."

In a video of the incident, the seal makes a couple of attempts to climb onto the kayak as people watch from the bank taking photographs.

"I’m a member of Richmond Canoe club and have heard members there and local rowing groups and paddle boarders talk about coming across the seal known locally as ‘Sammy’ too but hadn’t seen it myself."

IDr Hannah Peck from Richmond, London is in the kayak.
I kayak regularly on the Thames and was paddling from Richmond to Teddington Lock and on my return at about midday noticed the seal pop up 10metres or so away and was so delighted to see it. I’d heard the seal was hanging out around Teddington lock but hadn’t expected to see it.

The seal swam right up to my kayak. It seemed really inquisitive and popped it’s head up at the front of my kayak and then disappeared to suddenly return at the back of the kayak and started to try to climb up on the back. It then tried to climb on the front. Swam off for a bit and returned a few times to try climbing up again.

There were a few people watching from the bank taking photos.

I’m a member of Richmond Canoe club and have heard members there and local rowing groups and paddle boarders talk about coming across the seal known locally as ‘Sammy’ too but hadn’t seen it myself.

It was really calm and quiet on the river so made it extra special to have the one to one ecounter.
I’m a zoologist by training so am really interested in how the river Thames is doing for wildlife and often see cormorants and grebes, but this was such a wonderful surprise. I’m guessing the water quality is better than it used to be so fish numbers might be up enabling the seal to live there now (but don’t know for sure).
There was only one seal.
I took the video on my iPhone while sitting on my kayak on the river Thames on the Richmond side of Teddington Lock at about 12:20pm on New Year’s Eve.