Adorable Seal Pup Plays in Video from Taronga Zoo Sydney

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: February 19, 2021 10:30 am

Birubi the long-nosed fur seal pup at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

Taronga Zoo Sydney have released an adorable video of their long-nosed fur seal pup playing as they revealed her name. The two month old pup will be known as Birubi which is an Indigenous word for southern cross.

Birubi was the winning name from a public vote to determine the pup’s name. It attracted 46% of the votes cast.

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The footage shows Birubi as she takes part in one of her daily swimming lessons in the seal nursery at Taronga Zoo Sydney. This purpose built space has an adjustable floor allowing the depth of the pool to be changed.

At birth seal pups do not known how to swim and as such keepers must help Birubi find her flippers with encouragement from mom Keke. While she is still in the shallow’s at the moment it is expected that around Easter she will go on display for the public in the main pools.

Birubi the seal pup during one of her swimming lessons at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Video Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

Birubi was born on December 21st 2020. She was the first long-nosed fur seal pup born at Taronga Zoo Sydney in two decades.

Mom Keke was a rescue seal who was brought to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital for treatment in 2012 with injuries from a boat strike. Unfortunately her condition meant she was deemed unsuitable for release.

She found a permanent home at Taronga Zoo Sydney where she has helped educate visitors of the plight of seals in the wild at their daily Seals for the Wild presentation, powered by Red Energy.

Birubi the long-nosed fur seal pup at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

Learn more about the Taronga Zoo Sydney on their website – Taronga Zoo Sydney