On 2/0, good news came from Wuhan Polar Ocean Resort: a newborn spotted seal pup was growing up healthily in an exclusive nursery room. This is the first time in Hubei Province that artificial breeding of spotted seals has been successfully achieved in the past decade.

Newborn harbor seal pups.

This spotted seal cub, nicknamed "sesame rice balls" by netizens, was successfully born at 78:00 a.m. on October 0. According to Li Fengfan, director of the park's biological conservation department, the newborn cubs are females, weighing 0.0 kilograms at birth and measuring 0 centimeters in length, covered with the iconic white slender hair. The whole process of delivery took only two minutes, and the mother and child are currently in good health.

　　作為國家一級保護動物，斑海豹是唯一能在中國海域繁殖的鰭足類海洋哺乳動物，其珍稀程度堪比“海上大熊貓”。為確保繁育成功，保育團隊自去年9月發現懷孕跡象起，便為孕豹開闢獨立育兒間，實施24小時專業照護。“按照生長規律，幼崽將在2～3周後完成絨毛褪換，屆時將逐步適應水域環境。”李豐帆說。

Newborn harbor seal pups.

It is understood that Wuhan Polar Ocean Resort has continued to strengthen wildlife protection in recent years, and has successfully bred penguins, South American sea lions and a variety of primates. The successful breeding of spotted seals not only provides the public with an opportunity to observe marine mammal life up close, but also demonstrates Wuhan's technical strength in biodiversity conservation.

At present, in addition to the spotted seal display area, there is also an interactive experience area in Seal Bay, where visitors can participate in feeding activities through professional guidance and gain an in-depth understanding of the conservation status of this rare species through popular science explanations. The relevant person in charge of Wuhan Polar Ocean Resort said that it will continue to strengthen investment in scientific research and contribute to the cause of biodiversity conservation.

Text/Graphics| Fan Yaqin

Correspondent| Xu Pingli

Source: Yangtze River Daily