Advertisement Adorable harbor seal pup born at Blank Park Zoo Iowa’s Blank Park Zoo announced Thursday that “Meru” the harbor seal gave birth to a female seal pup on Tuesday. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Iowa’s Blank Park Zoo announced Thursday that “Meru” the harbor seal gave birth to a female seal pup on Tuesday, August 20. Zoo officials say the pup was approximately 32 pounds at birth. Both mom and pup are healthy and doing well. “The pup is curious about everything, loves to explore and is very vocal,” said Travis Wickersham, area supervisor of carnivores and primates. “Meru has been a very good and protective mother.”In a couple weeks, keepers will begin the process of introducing her to the outdoor habitat, Hub Harbor, with her mother ‘Meru,’ her father, ‘Ross,’ brother ‘Monty’ and two California sea lions, ‘Addy’ and ‘Zoey.’ Harbor seal pups are naturally weaned from their mothers at four to six weeks, so there will be times during the next couple of months that she will not be available for viewing. ‘Monty,’ a male seal pup was born last year on August 4, 2018.Because of injuries and ailments sustained in the wild, ‘Meru’ and ‘Ross’ were deemed non-releasable rescue animals and Blank Park Zoo gave them a permanent home in October 2011 and they made their official debut when the Hub Harbor seal and sea lion pool opened in early 2012.The non-profit Blank Park Zoo is asking for donations in exchange for an opportunity to name the pup. Now through September 12, you can submit one name suggestion for a $50 donation and three name suggestions for a $100 donation. Since the pup will be a part of a positive training program, Blank Park Zoo animal keepers are requesting the names submitted be limited to one or two syllables. Zoo officials will then release the top suggestions for a public vote with a final selection announced by September 24. For more information, go to Blank Park Zoo.com for details.“She will be a great ambassador for aquatic animals and our oceans,” said Katie Lathrop, assistant supervisor of carnivores and primates. “While the harbor seals’ conservation status is listed as ‘least concern,’ they are facing pressures in natural areas with issues of poor nutrition because of a lack of fish to eat. This is due to over-fishing, rising ocean temperatures and ocean pollution, such as plastics.” The Blank Park Zoo Conservation fund has donated $1,000 to the Marine Mammal Center in honor of their pup.