MYSTIC -- Sure, the spring has been rainy...but what better place to enjoy the water than Mystic Aquarium?
"This is Cork, our 3-year-old male Atlantic Harbor Seal," says trainer Meghan Dodge, as FOX 61's Sarah Cody becomes the first TV reporter to experience the aquarium's new Seals Up Close Program. Cork weighs 90 pounds. "An adult male harbor seal can get up to 6 feet long and weigh over 300 pounds, so, Cork still has a lot of growing to do," says Dodge of the seal that was found stranded and malnourished off the coast of Massachusetts. Now he lives at the aquarium with 5 other Atlantic harbor seals and one Pacific harbor seal.
But seals are familiar in the North East. They travel down the coast from Canada and Maine but it's not everyday you get to see their fancy tricks! Dodge teaches visitors how to wave at the seal...and get a wave back! Cork can also blow bubbles and spin-around in his pool.
Agile and intelligent, these pinnepeds can swim up to 25 miles per hour and hold their breath for 20 minutes.
Think you've seen it all? Think again! There's always something new at Mystic Aquarium!
"It's very exciting, I’m very excited," says Dodge. "This is my first time doing an Encounter Program and I love being able to share with guests about our harbor seals and what I do here everyday and how I’m making a difference here at Mystic Aquarium."
"Seals Up Close" launches for the public on May 1st. Click here for more information about this 40-minute program.
