Antoine's Very First Seal Rescue August 2019

Naudé and Antoine met in August last year at the local Crossfit gym. It was clear they were likeminded and Naude invited him and Alba (another Sea Shepherd crew member) out on patrol at Pelican Point.
This video is a highlight of their first rescues together. It was immediately clear Antoine was 100% committed and really handy to have out there.
They missed the first big seal, but managed to catch and disentangle 3 more that afternoon.
It was after this that Antoine decided to come back and visit Namibia for some more rescues in February this year. He was supposed to come for 10 days, but due to Covid-19 lockdowns stayed for 6 months, and together with Naude they freed nearly 500 seals in that time! 🦭
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Ocean Conservation International (OCI) is registered as a non-profit organization under chapter 501(c)3. Donations to OCI are tax deductible in the United States. All donations are used to support the seal rescue team from Ocean Conservation Namibia.

[@JL11775]

Aw Antoine was sweet talking the seals from the get-go. Such a nice guy.

[@SteveKasian]

Yeah, and apparently he was petting them from the get-go as well.

[@colleen4062]

Antoine so sweet 🙏💙

[@ssai5895]

“You’re fine !baby you’re fine !” What a kindly voice like a Angel. Thank you 🙏

[@pippa3150]

"It's ok poopy!" 😂💗💗💗💗💗

[@janethompson2305]

No more fish for me.?? Poor 🦭 🦭 🦭 ❤

[@taxi2jehova915]

antoine is a gentle legend among the seals they tell stories about him still the puppy whisperer

[@aprilsmith3683]

I love that story about Antoine... His "puppy" vocabulary is missed... 🇿🇦

[@taxi2jehova915]

@@aprilsmith3683 hes my fav they need to bring him back its not the same without him

[@fairuzdin3012]

I bet they tell about a man that cut their necklace and look at their private after..nahh kidding..good work guys..

[@caracortage3270]

Vile comment considering

[@kirsteenfraser1222]

@@caracortage3270 Which comment? and considering what?

[@onearmy942]

And that's how the Dynamic Duo came to be...the team is growing. Outstanding!

[@pippa3150]

They really are legends!

[@sa9861]

Thank you Naude for showing us this.... Cheers from Australia

[@sylviadixon7502]

My son love how Antoine pets the seals to calm them down. Its nice to see how they got started.

[@niranjan-81]

May God Bless Every Member of Team Ocean Conservation Namibia. Hats off to your efforts and commitment.

[@cynthiaestrada8318]

Dear Antoine Denzil and Naude. Thank you for rescuing the seals. So grateful.

[@lesliesagara8739]

I love the way Antoine talks to the seals and reassures them that they are ok. One sentient being to another.

[@CallieMasters5000]

Antoine - giving seal backrubs since Aug 2019

[@weatherwitchandfelinefamiliars]

Who gave this a thumbs down!!! Ohhhhh that's just rotten!! Antoine is fabulous, and I love hearing him saying it's OK puppy 💖

[@effaroundfindout]

I like to believe they are giving a thumbs down to POLLUTION!😝

[@frenchroast1355]

Thumbs down? WTH? Someone has no brain or heart.

[@markharrisllb]

So from his very first seal he was talking to them? I used to work in a forensic service for adults with learning difficulties. My boss at the time was a world leader in the field. He used to say you can have a dozen people apply for a job with him, eleven could have lots of qualifications but the twelfth has no qualifications but an unquantifiable 'it'. The person who had that 'it' would always get the job if it was up to him. The rest you can teach, you can teach values but not that 'it'. Antoine has that 'it' with wildlife as does Naudé and Denzil. Your videos have become a highlight of my day. There's a small group of people in a country many thousands of miles away, that I know little about and can’t visit. As the world gets crazier and crazier and is going into meltdown, they are just trying to do the right thing because it needs doing. A beacon of hope for this messed up planet. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@Alli_Sea]

Beautifully stated @markharris

[@terrybittenbender6667]

Well said. I have stumbled on these videos and it just gives you hope for humanity watching them.

[@drfill9210]

"It" is the ability to read animals. Half the problems you get with wild animal interactions/ biting pets etc can be solved if the ppl involved could understand the animals body language

[@lisaboolee]

Well said @markharris

[@janethompson2305]

I'm not eating fish anymore.!

[@jimratliff2753]

Words do NOT describe how great your Team is to maritime creatures. You provide them a new quality of life. Super work men!

[@sianchild]

Thank you so much for helping these wonderful creatures.

[@bho5sumkyul]

The last one gasped and writhed in pain a lot, but then got calm and stayed for a moment. Her/His relief must have been enormous. I hope she/he is having a wonderful life now.

[@dianemoonstone4715]

I kinda sensed that too. And then she either acknowledged their help or was perplexed by the kindness of human strangers. Yeah, projecting a lot but who knows? We don't understand their language and so we don't know their level of awareness and intelligence.

[@oioxix6816]

Real Life! Real Hero!

[@sweetbelzn]

And so the story of abductions began. "He grabbed me, then untangled me but spoke soothing words of love. Friends, not all humans are bad" (loud flipper applause)

[@janicehamm3474]

Love “loud flipper applause”

[@kemt6234]

Antoine is a Natural ... Great job .. 💕☝🙏

[@Leo-ku6hg]

Antonie you are a wonderful champ....... 😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👏👏👏👏

[@linzertube]

It was a very good day when Antoine joined this wonderful team....another compassionate soul to help these poor animals.

[@LifeJUSTLife]

Antoine... 👏👏💓🇮🇹

[@FnLn55]

Incredible 1st day for Antoine - he jumped in like a boss - only greater things to come! Good job boys

[@hendriklurse6518]

Thank you Naude and Antoine for saving him ❤️ I hope Antoine comes back next year 😊

[@frame7629]

Naude, you miss your friend. You guys learned a lot together, and did great work. Thank you both.

[@firetopman]

The freed seal was in awe of decent human beings and wanted to capture the moment forever in its seal mind. God Bless You.

[@kathyreinhofer9275]

Love the Dynamic Duo 🧡🤟😎 Come back Antoine 💋

[@aprilsmith3683]

She stayed for a moment to acknowledge your kindness to her... 🇿🇦

[@marshwetland3808]

That was her WTF face.

[@someopinion2846]

A seal of approval!

[@mariposahorribilis]

Nah, she was posing. 😆

[@susanlucero3530]

Happy 3rd anniversary rescuing seals, Antoine! May your fervor and compassion for the seals never sizzles out. 🦭🦭🦭🍻🍻🍻

[@eliteschaf5697]

Thank you very much to the whole team for your service!!!

[@violetgutierrez5315]

Love Antoine, he's a natural! So loving his presence is calming💜

[@brianofphobos8862]

Your technique has gotten much safer since the old days. Well done!

[@avacat8852]

Amazing rescue, especially the last puppy, with the ingrown fishing line!! Thank u so much for all the rescues!! These seals would be lost & full of pain without u!!

[@CarmenRodriguez-rj6my]

Just love the way Antoine talks to the seals 🥰

[@tyn999]

It seems Antoine was born to rescue puppies! Thank you, guys for all your efforts!

[@stephaniekanoun4409]

This is such perfect timing! Here in America, we are coming up on a time of remembrance and thankfulness. How special to remember Antoine's first rescues and we are so thankful for him! 🙂

[@keeperw.s6327]

Antoine talked to the seal from the beginning. I hope he's doing well in the Sea Warrior, Good luck to him.

[@KikiLivesInMe]

What’s the Sea Warrior?

[@TT1972]

We got to hear his very first "it's ok baby" !

[@miriamsinclair1655]

@@KikiLivesInMe It’s his new mission in South America I beleive

[@sarahstrong7174]

@@KikiLivesInMe I think it is a Greenpeace ship.

[@lizardas]

Sea Shepherd

[@A9Racer]

Very well done to the whole team, your efforts are not gone unnoticed!!!!

[@lacnocdesingjournals]

beautiful work that you do, you can be proud of this project ... I am❤❤❤❤❤

[@ReshuChoudhary_567]

My friend all of you are doing good job...god bless you

[@lucylee6982]

💗💗💗💗 What a lovely pose at the end.

[@owenphl1652]

Hahaha “after the first rescue, Antoine was hooked.”

[@Cherie7233]

I we all miss Antoine Hope he is doing well Your fine baby your fine ; )

[@cinderellie9583]

Where did he go? Do you know?

[@derynicat]

@@cinderellie9583 He is sailing on one of the Sea Shepard ships. I think it's the Ocean Warrior. It's a French NGO that protects marine life all over the planet.

[@cinderellie9583]

@@derynicat oh yay! Thanks very much, I saw those things mentioned but didn't know the relevence.

[@OceanConservationNamibia]

@@derynicat 100% correct :-)

[@waltradcliffe4482]

@@derynicat I guess he doesn’t have access to the internet it would be nice if he could let us know how he is doing

[@lambinwolfsclothing]

Fast forward to 2023: Tony's "it's okay puppy" has been heard millions of times & Naude's quest has a dream team. Well done! #CuttingTheLine

[@patwalker5133]

I love how you can see or hear Antoine trying to comfort the seal in the video with a few comforting words or a gentle rub. As a viewer, I find it comforting. He is doing what I wish I could do from here in the US. Stay safe.

[@janethompson2305]

I'm not eating fish anymore, that's what I can do for the seals ❤ 😊

[@iangrassby]

the last one was saying THANKYOU

[@silkebohde-rath1130]

Inzwischen ist Tony ein Meister in der Rettung, mit sehr viel Empathie für die Robben👍🥰😍💖💖💖

[@georgejeffries3566]

Last one was difficult, but the seal relaxed after the string was removed, like instant relief

[@dianemoonstone4715]

Agree.

[@joannegele8586]

So nice to see Antoine's first 3 rescues...thank you for sharing this video/story! We miss you Antoine, hope you are doing well 😊

[@sday144]

I love that you showed how Tony got started with Naude doing seal rescues. I loved that someone called him "the seal whisperer". That's perfect. It was too bad that the big male got away. I loved that little female at the end who was in so much pain from that damn fishing line. I think it was so sweet and wonderful that she stayed around for a couple minutes to thank you guys for helping her. You guys have had a great history together of saving all our furry puppies. 😊

[@Nakul__Sanatani]

The last one was in too much pain that's y she was so aggressive ....thanks for giving her relief from that pain

[@skazi2305]

Off course Antoine got hooked... Just like us 😁 ... Great job again

[@barbfrank917]

Well said. I loved how the pup hugged with his flippers

[@louannseeram899]

Oh, he just needed time, just like denzil does now. But they have a master to learn from. Well done antoine,denzil, naude and all the rest

[@angeladacunha6360]

21.9.2023....I've been watching all yr rescues, but it was such a joy watching Anton's initiatation into your gang.....He's a NATURAL AND A SEAL WISPERER from the get go.....God bless you guys and gals frm a 70 yr old animal welfare worker for 28yrs...hung my boots now....😂since 2018....to persue my nxt passion travels...wz in yr beautiful country in 2018

[@JaisinaGaspar]

Tony can't help but be like a loving dad to these seals. Love him and his compassion ❤

[@paquilo99]

You do a great job! 🙌🙌A hug from Spain for all 🇪🇸➡️🌏🌎🌍

[@nicklager1666]

Feels so good seeing Antoine in action. We salute you both for your seal rescues and the work you have done in south america.

[@deeclark386]

Autocorrect? Southern Africa

[@crimeaisukraine6605]

Namibia its in Africa lol

[@nicklager1666]

He is currently working in south america.

[@crimeaisukraine6605]

@@nicklager1666 how do you know that?

[@gillhughes8785]

Absolutely brilliant!! Thanks for this 😍.. You guys just rock. Right from the outset the reassurance you give by your tones speaking to them, the care you take to minimise the hurt as you remove these 'nooses' and of course the now famous Antoine back rubs lol. The lil girl at the end, stopping to pose for her model seal shot. Thank you a million times x💜🇬🇧💜x

[@shaistajanjua2557]

First but fit 😁attempt 👍 from Karachi Pakistan 🇵🇰.

[@lisaproustresearch]

Since his very first rescue, Antoine’s empathy was present - voice, demeanour & patting the seal to transmit they were helping not hurting He was born to do this ! :)

[@theheartland1861]

You have learned alot through the months helping out the seals, and making sure they remain safe. You guys are the best👍👍

[@anni50ful]

It must be wonderful to rescue a seal for the first time,especially when it thanks you ☺

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Guys

[@benjamindover7399]

Damn, that was brave jumping on that big female like that. She almost bit you. Great Job. Thank You for helping those animals.

[@whidbeyhiker4364]

She's burning your faces into her memory... Antoine has the perfect temperament for this.

[@CallieMasters5000]

She'll name her first pup "Antoine" 😁

[@judithmcbride4023]

Antoine speaks in such a soothing manner. I love how she said. Thank you, before she ran off. Beautiful !👏❤️

[@rkprashar9885]

😀😀...👍

[@JuanitaHarrisMissHarrisinParis]

I don’t know what he’s doing now, or if he’s still with you guys doing other work, but he was always a treat to watch. Runs like the wind, captures with aplomb and great care, and always petting and soothing the seal. Best to him!

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Great to see Antoine’s first rescues. Thanks so much.

[@janicehamm3474]

That last one was Hilarious how She stopped and stared back at you guys like how the hell did you take that pain away. They must wonder why the hell their neck hurts so much and then when it goes away after being manhandled it must feel like magic

[@nancybannerman1224]

I love going back and watching Tony's first time rescuing seals. He has come along way since then, and also plays it a little safer now. I guess once bitten twice shy is true. At least you're not too shy. I'm so glad that you continue to talk to the seals, it always put a smile on my face. Naude you've improved a lot too since then, the whole team has. I'm so glad the I found your videos. Thank you. You have made me work even harder at recycling. 🇨🇦

[@accessiblenow]

Good job😊

[@truewanderers8288]

Things have improvised for good..you guys have come a long way..kudos.. 🤟

[@renegat3024]

Good job 👍👍👍👍👍💗💗💗👏👏👏👏👏

[@reviewerskingdom9379]

Its good to know Antonio has been talking to the seals since the beginning.

[@rich-ard-style6996]

How released they must feel! Thank you. 🌺🥰❤️

[@annakwiatkowska8882]

I love when the seals after their freed, they stopped to thank you. Such a joy to watch that.💖☺ Well done Guys. Be safe 🙏 ❤ Tony welcome to the team!

[@formhubfar]

You guy's have come a long way since then, well done to you all.

[@sarahholt5575]

I absolutely LOVE listening to antoine!!! He and all of you treat them as if they were your own children ♥️ as I’ve said before, you guys are all angel badasses! This is HARD EXHAUSTING WORK, and you all crush it every time!!! It’s beyond obvious that you love what u do and care about these beautiful animals ♥️

[@wandarask8444]

It's September 2022, Anton, hope your still on board, Thankyou to all you guys Love Australia

[@gabrielasaldivia7923]

Ok!!! So much to say about this video: It's amazing and so brave from Antoine to try his first rodeo with those seal bull!!! And the way he jumps on the second one before is completely in the net!!! And how he inmediately tries to soothe the pups talking to them!!! He sure has a gift to do these rescues!!! We miss you very much, Tony!!! Amazing job, guys!!! Much love and respect for Naude and Denzil!!!

[@belami_irl8543]

Tony is just an angel 😇🥰

[@Minris1]

After watching hundreds of these with naude and Tony, it’s amazing to see how far you’ve come as a team. You guys work so smoothly together now. You barely have to speak. You just know. Looking at your first day together really highlights that. Love you guys xx

[@loyalbeta]

The two most surprising parts to me: 1) from only just having seen this after watching countless other rescues, I would have bet (and lost) huge sums of money that these two were lifelong friends, instead learning they first met in 2019 2) from day one Tony is a natural born seal whisperer. Keep up the amazing work team OCN!

[@wendyh3891]

Oh that sweet seal just sat a bit to say thank you for helping me! ❤❤ from PE Eastern Cape

[@sweetdaisy9918]

I just broke in tears when I saw Antoine in action. Thank you for being so amazing guys!

[@sohamnoob9062]

U guys are amazing

[@ebonds]

Antoine was enthusiastic. He was fast and efficient even for his very first try. His goal: to rescue the seals quickly! Well done, buddy! Respect to you. Hope to see you real soon.

[@hanspeterluthi3230]

My fully respect for the great job you do for this animals. And from the beginning the technik how to use the net and catch the seal was brilliant. Wish you all the best and a good fitness.

[@rsbandbj1]

1 year later, after gaining all the experience of saving seals, Naude and Antonie evolved with Kevlar armor.

[@Dagmar_R]

Even in slow motion I almost ever do not see the entangled seals. Thank God you do! Edit: So many coments about Tony and how wonderful it is the way he speaks to the animals and comfort them. And here we go, right from the start he does. Wonderful

[@msannthrope1863]

The improvement in their proficiency from 2019 until now is striking. ❤

[@foxwonderland8467]

Awe that last pup stuck around to say thank you. There is no bigger compliment then an animal being released and sticking around to show you they are completely comfortable and no longer scared of being close to you. She gave you the beautiful stance and swayed her head back and fourth to show you her gratitude. Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. What a first day of two hero’s coming together.

[@FreaXZYT69420]

Yay Antoine!

[@stevenhulbert7540]

Merci Naude and Antoine for your commitment and passion of saving the seals. This video shows how much damage can be done, especially with skin growing over where the fishing line was stuck! The seal sitting and looking at you was priceless, well done!

[@RebelsBestFriend]

Tony was a pro from the start, we're so proud and grateful to you, Tony, for your commitment, we've all come to love you so much all these years since this day.

[@epicchild776]

“Your giving me a hug right now?” I love how Antoine talks to the seals ❤️

[@janethompson2305]

I'm boycotting fish. I hope everyone 🙏 stops eating fish 🦭 🦭 🦭 🌊 🦭 ❤

[@galejohnson2142]

I miss Antoine ... much love to the entire team. I love all of you for the work that you are putting in💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@HandyHelons]

Wow, what a special day to have witnessed. Thank you for sharing this with us and for inviting Tony on those first rescues!

[@DaveKraft1]

Antoine seems to be in much better shape today -- thanks to all the workouts the seals have given him all these years! Congrats, Tony! Wishing you many more safe years.

[@not2tees]

It''s touching, how the little seal pauses a moment or two and looks around, wondering what has just happened. Then she beats it into the water!

[@mylespovey]

I’m so glad you kept Tony, I love his high octave voice when he’s talking to the seals 🦭

[@paulbyrne6532]

Hi Naude i hope Antoine gets back from his latest adventure ok and can come back to help you again.

[@trishbluedorn1806]

Tony is a natural! What extraordinary people you all are! Thank You!