Some of you may remember a segment we ran a while back on dog yoga – or “doga.”
Well if you thought that was a stretch, just wait until you see what the New England Aquarium has come up with… yoga with the seals.
It may sound kooky, but we promise – you’ll love the concept.
You can check out the fur seals anytime at the New England Aquarium’s new Marine Mammal Center.
A 450-pound fur seal has joined the New England Aquarium’s New Balance Marine Mammal Center.
“Bear” is the largest northern fur seal to join the aquarium’s recently-opened New Balance Foundation Mammal Center. There are only 15 northern fur seals on exhibit in American zoos and aquariums.
Some new residents are making themselves at home in Boston Harbor. Cordova, Ursula and J.D. are female Northern fur seals.
The three seals are part of the “New Balance Marine Mammal Center” that opens tomorrow at the New England Aquarium.
Trainers at the aquarium gave NECN a sneak preview this morning.
The three females were moved to Boston from an aquarium in New York.
Two large male seals will eventually join them.
Ask a New Englander to name some local sea creatures and we’re sure whales and lobsters will make the list.
But did you know the region’s waters are also home to a number of sea turtles? Learn more about how to spot them and protect them – from the experts at the New England Aquarium.
Did you know?
The chemicals you use on your lawn can actually make it all the way to the ocean.
The New England Aquarium has some new furry friends tonight. Several fur seals will be part of the aquarium’s new “Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center”.
The first three residents have arrived: JD, Cordova and Ursula.
A fur seal’s greatest asset is in fact its fur. It is where it gets its name, and it is the second thickest on the planet second only to a sea otter. It is great for keeping them cold in icy waters but it was also terrible because it caused them to be hunted to near extinction in the 1800s and in fact around 1890 scientists thought there were extinct.
Photo by: Daniel Houghton/The Seattle Times
Seattle has received a young male from Boston named Commander, in return.
The Seattle Times reports there are only 14 Northern fur seals in captivity in four U.S. aquariums.
If you prefer a pet with scales rather than fur, there are some fish you’ll want to stay away from when starting a home aquarium. Biologist Scott Dowd of the New England Aquarium offers some tips on responsible fish keeping.
The New England Aquarium is sending the largest of the hypothermic sea turtles found stranded on Cape Cod this fall to a sanctuary on Long Island. The 75-pound juvenile loggerhead sea turtle, now named “Herb”, was found by volunteers on a beach in Truro back on December 3. Herb was then brought to the New England Aquarium in Boston with a body temperature in the 40’s. Veterinarians and rescue biologists slowly rewarmed Herb about five degrees each day to a stable temperature in the low 70’s.
The Aquarium says Herb is one of six loggerhead turtles that washed up late this season. They averaged about 50 pounds, and all have survived. Herb is estimated to be somewhere between 4 and 7 years old, on his way to an adult weight of 200 to 250 pounds. And as you can see – he’s a little photogenic. Volunteers work with the Aquarium each year to rescue and rehabilitate dozens of stranded sea turtles.
Thanks to Tony Lacasse at the Aquarium for the photos!
The Secret Life of Animals is a celebration of our deep ties to the creatures around us. Its a show that seeks to unlock the wonder of the animals themselves, our mysterious bond with them, and our lives together: From breathtaking stories of survival in the wild to pragmatic tips on understanding our pets and keeping them healthy.
The mammal in charge is host Vicki Croke, who has been covering animal issues for more than 20 years on television, radio, and in print. Her entire career has been one big excuse to pat as many animals as possible.
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