Ventspils tries to outdo Liepāja in the seal department too, but only managed to get one pup

Ventspils has announced with great fanfare about the first seal pup spotted on its beach, as if it were something special. To us Liepāja folks, this sounds like news about someone seeing a tram on Grīzupes Street for the first time.

"Well, finally something's happening for them too," comments Karosta resident Valdis while walking his dogs on the beach. "Seals have felt at home here for years. Ventspils people probably think it's some kind of new tourist attraction."

Nature Protection Agency specialists explain that seals come ashore to warm up and rest. Apparently they haven't heard about Liepāja's climate – there's so much fresh air here that seals don't just warm up, they also do yoga and meditate. Riga specialists, of course, immediately offer to take the animals to the capital for "rehabilitation." Typical Riga thinking – everything good only exists with them.

Although seal pups are cute, the Nature Protection Agency urges not to touch them or warm up together. They especially warn against taking selfies, because, quoting a specialist: "Seals aren't Instagram models, and stress doesn't suit them." Moreover, these sea dwellers are predators with sharp teeth, so it's better to appreciate from a distance – just like Liepāja rock music concerts.