St Andrews Aquarium celebrates as new seal pup is born
St Andrews Aquarium in Fife has today revealed its delight at finding a new seal pup born to mum Nelly.
The aquarium’s common seals are one of the aquarium’s longest-standing attractions, featuring Nelly the matriarch and males Luna, Dug, and Silver. Last week, keepers were delighted to find that overnight Nelly had given birth to a pup, and the group of four has now become a thriving family of five!
While the pup is a new addition for the aquarium team, mum and baby are healthy and happy, and the pup is already making itself at home, looked after by Nelly the doting mother.
The seals are one of the aquarium’s most popular attractions, and love making a splash for hundreds of adoring visitors each day. The aquarium, which is focused on both conservation and education, is home to more than 120 animals from around the world and an ever-expanding collection of critically endangered species.
John Mace, Managing Director at St Andrews Aquarium, said “Our seals are a really important part of the aquarium family, and visitors always enjoy meeting and learning about them.
Our keepers had been keeping a close eye on Nelly who we suspected might be pregnant, and to find a new pup waiting for us was just wonderful.
While mother and baby settle into their new lives together we’ll get on with the exciting job of naming the aquarium’s newest arrival. With the 150th Open taking place at the home of golf just yards away from us soon we could name the pup after the winner, or perhaps we’ll ask the public for their ideas. Watch this space!”
St Andrews Aquarium is one of the most popular visitor attractions in North East Scotland, and is open seven days a week. A great day out for all the family in the stunning coastal town of St Andrews, the aquarium offers feeding experiences and is home to a stunning array of wildlife.