Kroshik is a small seal from Russia who has become well-known not for his wild instincts, but for his deep love of humans. When he was just a baby, people found him near a village and took him in to help him recover. After getting stronger, they released him back into the wild, hoping he would live freely in nature. But only 15 minutes later, Kroshik swam back to shore and crawled toward the humans again.

This unusual behavior continued. Months later, rescuers tried again to let Kroshik return to the lake. This time, he stayed out in nature—though not for long. After less than a month, he returned to the shore once more in search of humans. Clearly, Kroshik wasn’t interested in a lonely life in the wild. He wanted connection and comfort, not cold water and isolation.

Kroshik’s story touched me deeply. It’s rare to see such a strong emotional bond between a wild animal and humans. His loyalty and determination to stay with people made me smile, but also made me feel a little sad. Nature is supposed to be a safe home for animals, but for Kroshik, it never felt quite right. I admire his brave little heart for choosing love over instinct.

Now, Kroshik lives in a special center where he is being slowly introduced to a man-made lake near a natural one. This way, he can slowly adjust to being in nature while still feeling safe. I hope he finds peace, whether in the wild or close to people. Kroshik’s story reminds us that every creature is different—and some just need a little more love.