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Amy Nip

Hong Kong, prepare for fuzzy aquatic cuteness.
Ocean, Sonny and Sammy - three baby spotted seals - were born this spring at Ocean Park. They are the first of their species birthed in the city.
The three baby boys arrived in the world between April 13 and May 4, birthed in the back of the marine mammal park’s Polar Adventure exhibit, which has housed the theme park’s seals and penguins since 2012.
Watch: Meet Hong Kong Ocean Park's new member adorable baby seal Sonny


They are the offspring of three different seals from Dalian in the mainland.
The baby seals each weighed between 18kg and 38kg now, up from about 10kg after their birth, said Polar Adventure curator Philip Wong Wing-hong. The boys sport fluffy coats at birth, but two have already shed them. The youngest squirt, Sammy, is expected to do so about a month later.
The spotted seal – the only type of seal found in China – can live up to 35 years and weigh a maximum of 130kg.
Seals usually take their first dip in water within three days of being born, Wong said.
“Sonny is the most energetic of the three. He swam for the first time just 32 hours after he was born,” he said. “Ocean is the friendliest and loves interacting with the trainers.”

Two of the mothers, Qiao Niu and Lisa, were born in the Dalian Lao Hu Tan Ocean Park while the other was from the Dalian Sun Asia Ocean World.
The parents of Qiao Niu and Lisa were rescued after the four seals were accidentally caught by fishermen near the seaport. The Lao Hu Tan Ocean Park cared for them before releasing them back into the wild last year.
Visitors will be able to see the baby seals this summer.


Hello world! First baby spotted seals to be born at Ocean Park unveiled

Sammy, one of the three baby spotted seals, currently sports a fluffy coat that he will shed in about a month's time. Photo: Nora Tam

Fluffy newborn Sonny gets its first taste of the cameras. He is the most energetic of the three, taking a swim just a day after it was born. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Not to be outdone by eager swimmer Sonny, baby seal Ocean,  with white snowy fur, splashes about in a pool. Photo: SCMP Pictures

News

Hong Kong

The three baby boys arrived in the world between April 13 and May 4, birthed in the back of the marine mammal park’s Polar Adventure exhibit, which has housed the theme park’s seals and penguins since 2012.
