The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk in Connecticut Publicly Debuts Two Seals
January 6, 2023
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk in Connecticut publicly debuts two seals.
Duo had previously lived behind the scenes at the ABQ BioPark.
Two seals who used to live at the ABQ BioPark Zoo have a new home. Gracie, 20, and Feisty 33, moved on November 17 to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, CT.
As is standard procedure, the seals have been in quarantine behind the scenes getting acclimated to their new home for the past several weeks. Now, they are ready for their public habitat at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Pinniped Cove.
The seals have not been in a public area of the ABQ BioPark since January of 2019. Their exhibit was over 30 years old and in need of maintenance. Knowing that their habitat area was soon destined to be remodeled into the Australian Shores habitat as part of the upcoming Australia refresh, the seals were relocated to a large area behind the scenes at the BioPark's Aquatic Conservation Facility (ACF).
Even though guests have not been able to see them, the seals continued to receive the same level of excellent care and enrichment from the ACF's team as well as the mammal team. Their keepers have been training the seals for their eventual move ever since. All of the seals were trained to voluntarily move in and out of their crates, to help prepare them for a stress free journey. ABQ BioPark staff also accompanied the seals during their move to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and worked with their staff to ensure a comfortable transition for the seals.
"The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is going to be a wonderful forever home," said Casey Taylor, Assistant Curator of Mammals, "These seals have a lot of life left in them and we're really excited they are going to spend it in such a great place".
Gracie and Feisty will join five females at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Pinniped Cove is a new habitat that opened in June of 2021, which features a massive pool over eight times larger than their previous habitat. Seals are a social species so this interaction will be very engaging and enriching for all of them.
Like the ABQ BioPark, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is accredited by the Association of Zoo's and Aquariums. This ensures that the seals will continue to receive the excellent care they have received during their time at the ABQ BioPark.
https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/newsroom/posts/the-maritime-aquarium-welcomes-new-harbor-seals