First captive-bred spotted seal born on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

(ECNS) -- A female spotted seal was born on Thursday at the sea world of Macrolink International Tourism Town in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, marking the first artificially bred spotted seal born on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, according to the resort.

The spotted seal pup weighted 7.8 kilograms at birth, measured 66 centimeter in length and is in good health conditions.

In 2024, a female spotted seal in the sea world showed elevated levels of progesterone and estradiol in blood tests, which led to a preliminary conclusion of pregnancy.

Breeders and veterinarians adjusted nutrition to ensure the mother seal's nutritional balance during her pregnancy. They strengthened physical training and regularly monitored her weight, temperature, respiration, and other physiological indicators of the pregnant female spotted seal.

Known as the "panda of the sea", the spotted seal, or Phoca largha, under first-class national protection in China, is the only marine mammal with front and rear flippers to breed in Chinese waters.