Good news from the Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna: a male baby seal was born on 15 July. The first eight months he is still suckled by the mother, only then are different sea fish such as herring, mackerel or sprat on the menu for the little ones. Visitors can now watch the young animal eat, play and swim.
After a gestation period of nearly a year, the male mane seal pup was born alive and well. The special thing about so-called maned seals: they can swim and dive from birth. The seal baby has already made his first swimming attempts with the group. Of course always at the side of his caring mother.
“Can be submerged under water for up to 15 minutes”
“Seals are excellent swimmers and can dive underwater for up to 15 minutes. However, this does not yet apply to the small one. Because the long dive is still a bit strenuous. That’s why bedtime is all the more important at this time,” says the head of the zoological department, Folko Balfanz.
“As an adult seal, he eats about six kilos of fish a day or even more. However, it will take a few more years for the young male to reach his father’s impressive weight of over 300kg,” explains Balfanz.
Also called “sea lions”.
Maned seals originally live on the coasts of South America. The name comes from the males’ distinctive mane. But they are also called “sea lions” because of their loud roar during the mating season.
Commented feedings in Schönbrunn possible again
“Since the beginning of the summer, after a two-year break due to corona, we have been able to offer our popular commented feeds again. Our maned seals and the juvenile can be seen very well there and the visitors receive a lot of valuable information about this species”, says zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
