A seal growing up among surfers, a dolphin choosing life in harbors over life with its peers, a pod of orcas « attacking » sailboats—what makes the marine world so remarkable is how evident its interactions with large mammals are compared to those on land. Seals and cetaceans often approach humans willingly, especially since the end of large-scale whaling.
This book dives into the lives of four extraordinary marine mammals whose destinies are deeply intertwined with humans. You, Zafar, Kalon, and Gladis are all striking characters from the Atlantic coast whose stories—often tumultuous, sometimes tragic, always thought-provoking—challenge how we understand deviance in a world usually seen as governed by instinct and survival.
Through these compelling life stories, new questions emerge: What kind of relationship is possible with a wild mammal? Can these animals lead lives that go beyond the boundaries of their species? In parallel, the book opens a reflection on policies of conservation, fishing, boating, and tourism: how should we respond to, care for, and coexist with these singular marine beings that confront us so directly?
Fabien Clouette is an anthropologist and research fellow at CNRS (ESO-Rennes), specializing in maritime environments. He is also a filmmaker and a novelist, with books published by Éditions de l’Ogre.
