Maritime Aquarium Announces Birth Of New Harbor Seal Pup

NORWALK, CT — The Maritime Aquarium is celebrating the recent birth of a new harbor seal pup at the facility.

According to a news release provided by the aquarium, "Sono" was born April 5 at 11:36 p.m., making him the second harbor seal pup to be born at the aquarium. A female pup, Eve, was born at the facility in 1989.

Both Sono and his mom, Gracie, are doing well and receiving excellent care from the aquarium's animal husbandry and veterinarian teams, according to the aquarium.

"This is an exciting time for all of us at the Maritime Aquarium," Associate Director of Animal Husbandry Rachel Stein said in a news release. "Our husbandry team has been working day and night to make sure Gracie and her pup are receiving the best possible care."

At birth, Sono weighed 18 pounds, 2 ounces, and measured 30 inches in length, according to the aquarium. His name was inspired by the South Norwalk neighborhood where the aquarium is located.

Gracie, 20, is doing an outstanding job of taking care of her pup. Sono has already gained nearly 15 pounds and is growing bigger every day, according to the aquarium.

Neither Sono nor Gracie are currently on display at the aquarium. Sono will slowly be introduced to Pinniped Cove, the aquarium's 160,000-gallon habitat that allows guests to view the harbor seals from three sides and two levels, in the coming weeks as he grows a little bigger and stronger.

Visitors can currently watch the aquarium's other harbor seals participate in training demonstrations daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

More information is available at www.maritimeaquarium.org.