Rare New York Aquarium Seal Gives Birth To Even Rarer Pup

A Northern fur seal who used to reside in the New York Aquarium has given birth to her first pup, only the 13th Northern fur seal born in an American aquarium or zoo.

Ursula was brought to the New England Aquarium to take part in a breeding program. Her partner Isaac is from the Seattle Aquarium.

Northern fur seals were once nearly hunted to extinction for their pelts until the practice was banned in 1996.

Ursula and the pup will not be visible to the public until the young seal is more mature, said Tony LaCasse, an aquarium spokesman.

It is not clear whether Urusala will return to the New York Aquarium on Surf Avenue or stay in New England.