Aquarium-Born Seal Will Move to New Home on Sunday

Bumper, one of ’s harbor seals, is getting ready to leave Riverhead on Sunday for his new home at Wisconsin’s Oceans of Fun, located inside the Milwaukee County Zoo. 
 
Bumper was born more than two years ago in June 2009 at the aquarium, according to a statement from the aquarium. Bumper and his older sister, Coral, were the first two harbor seals born at the Aquarium. Carol moved in April 2010 to the New York Aquarium and is healthy there. 

“Our little boy is leaving his pool on the east end of Long Island to travel a great distance to meet new friends,” said senior mammal trainer, Candyce Paparo. “We are sad to see him go, but know that our current seal exhibit is regulated for a certain number of animals. We also want to prevent breeding with relatives and to help maintain a healthy captive gene pool in aquarium facilities.” 

For now, Bumper has been moved to a holding pool behind the scenes to prepare for his nearly 1,000-mile trip from Long Island Aquarium to Oceans of Fun. 
 
The Long Island Aquarium team called Bumper a beautiful, intelligent and fun-loving animal.

“We are very excited that Bumper is going to such a great facility where he will be involved in shows and interactive guest programs,” said Director of Mammal Training, Ann Yaiullo. “And he will be in great company, joining two other harbor seals, as well as multiple California sea lions.”
 
Male harbor seals can weigh as much as 250 lbs. and live to be up to 30-years-old.  
 
Dedicated to the field of marine mammal science and education, Oceans of Fun’s goal is to provide the best possible environment, training, husbandry and care for marine mammals with a focus on educating the public about marine life, environmental protection and conservation, according to a statement from the Aquarium. 

Oceans of Fun is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, as well as by the International Marine Animal Trainers Associations.