Common Seal: Playful Swimmers of the Zoo
The common seal, with its round body, gentle eyes, and playful personality, is a favorite among zoo visitors. In modern zoo habitats, seals enjoy spacious pools with varying depths, rocky platforms for resting, and clean, temperature-regulated water to simulate the coastal environments where they naturally thrive.
Seals are naturally curious animals, and zookeepers engage them with daily enrichment activities. Floating toys, frozen fish treats, and interactive training sessions help the seals stay physically and mentally active. These sessions also allow keepers to check the seals' health without causing stress, reinforcing trust between animals and caregivers.
Zoos play an essential role in educating visitors about marine conservation. Seals are often impacted by ocean pollution and habitat loss, and observing these animals up close inspires people to protect marine ecosystems. Additionally, rehabilitation programs for stranded or injured seals are often conducted in partnership with zoos, ensuring their survival.