[Press release from the NF Aquarium]
The Aquarium of Niagara has three new marine mammals and each one has a unique and compelling story that will resonate with everyone.
Mia and Isabel’s Story
Mia is a six-year-old California sea lion rescued in 2014 by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, CA. Mia was found malnourished and treated for pneumonia. While going through critical care at the Marine Mammal Center, Mia gave birth to a healthy pup, Isabel, in June 2014.
Because of the on-going care provided by the Marine Mammal Care Center Mia was eventually able to care for Isabel. Both Mia and Isabel were deemed non-releasable by the National Marine Fisheries because of their mutual dependence on human care. In May Mia and Isabel arrived at the Aquarium of Niagara where both continue to receive care, attention and love from the Aquarium staff.
“We look forward to integrating Mia and Isabel into our training program”, said Gary Siddall, deputy director and head trainer, “where they will play a significant role in educating our public about the Aquarium’s conservation goals as well as the capabilities and behavior of California sea lions.”
Pepper’s Chronicle
Pepper is a gray seal and she was found stranded in Asbury Park, NJ in April 2007 after a violent nor’easter. She was just seven months old when her body was tossed against a jetty which broke a vertebra in her back that left her hind flippers paralyzed. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ nursed her back to health but she could not be released back into the wild because of her limited mobility. Later that same year in 2007, Pepper was transferred to the Indianapolis Zoo where Pepper underwent multiple surgeries to amputate her unusable hind flippers.
Pepper arrived at the Aquarium of Niagara on July 13th where she was introduced to the four other seals and is adjusting well in her new home. “I’m so happy that after all the time we spent nursing Pepper and rehabilitating her to swim again”, said Jill Burbank the senior keeper at the Indianapolis Zoo “that she found a great home at the Aquarium where I know she’ll be cherished.”
“Here’s an interesting tidbit about gray seals”, explained Siddall, “their genus scientific name is Halichoerus grypus and that means hooked-nosed sea pig and that’s a good way to differentiate Gray seals from other seal species. The gray seal actually neared extinction in the 1980s because they were hunted for oil, meat and skins. Fortunately Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act preventing the harming of seals. Pepper is an important reminder of our Aquarium’s conservation efforts.”
For more information, or a behind-the-scenes tour, contact Ilene Strober at 716-285-3575 x 203 or istrober@aquariumofniagara.org
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