Seals

From Srafopedia

Seal hunting is widespread in the Arctic of Lyra's world.

Lyra first sees seals on the sea voyage to Lapland with the gyptians seeking to rescue their abducted children. She is amused by their “clown-faces” (NL 168/"TGC 168) and frisky demeanor, but the remainder of her experience with the animals is utilitarian.

In Trollesund, Farder Coram purchases outerwear made from various seal parts. As soon as Iorek Byrnison gets his armour back, he catches a seal which he guts so that he can use its blubber to grease the armour, paying particular attention to spots where it has rusted. Seal blubber is also used as a lighting fuel. When the ice and snow leave Svalbard following Asriel's blasting open a hole that brings in the heat and light of Cittàgazze, the seals go as well.