Oscar, Kilian and Kash

Kilian and Kash

Miller Park Zoo welcomes new harbor seals

[May 16, 2015]  BLOOMINGTON - Miller Park Zoo welcomed two new Harbor Seals earlier this week. Male seals Kilian and Oscar went on exhibit with Miller Park Zoo’s resident seal, Kash, on Tuesday.

Kilian and Oscar arrived at Miller Park Zoo from Sea World in Orlando, FL on Friday. After a couple of days of adjustment to their new home at the Zoo, staff is excited to now have them on display.

“Kilian and Oscar make a great addition to Miller Park Zoo, and we hope the community comes out to welcome them to their new home here,” said Jay Tetzloff, Miller Park Zoo Director. “Kilian and Oscar are absolutely adorable, playful and adjusting to their new habitat wonderfully.” Kilian and Oscar are 2 and 4 years old, respectively.

Male Harbor Seals range from 4.5 to 6.5 feet long and can weigh up to 375 pounds. Harbor Seals love cold water and usually live in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Zookeepers will be able to tell Killian and Oscar apart by their distinct coats, which for Harbor Seals are as unique as human fingerprints.

In order to find their food, which usually consists of herring, flounder and perch, harbor seals rely on their sensitive whiskers, especially in deep water or at night. They can stay submerged for up to 30 minutes, and even a two-day old pup can stay under water for up to two minutes.

Zoo Guests can watch the Zookeepers train all the Harbor Seals during demonstrations at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm, daily. These demonstrations are free with paid Zoo admission.

[Nora Dukowitz, City of Bloomington]