Pinniped species in captivity?

25-02-2011

Trust me, where I'm from "lazy toad" is vaguely endearing. Of course I wasn't suggesting you're a toad, but I do stand by the lazy remark:

I'm sorry, I consider not being bothered to perform a task which would take, ooh, 15 minutes (at most) is a little lazy.

That said, your original post has opened up some interesting points so it's not all bad

25-02-2011

The National Aquarium, Baltimore moved the three species of seals out of their enclosure in 2002 for the Animal Planet Australia exhibit. The Harbor Seals and Gray Seals were moved to the Albuquerque Aquarium. I have no idea where the Harp Seals went. I don't think they moved to Albuquerque.

25-02-2011

Detroit has, or at least had, a single Harp Seal when I was there in 2003, to this day my only one, at least until I go down to Brest in France to see theirs. Then I'll get to see Ringed Seals for the first time too; the last time I was in Arnhem was in 2004, I think they got theirs the following year.

25-02-2011

This is according to ISIS

Walruses

Europe
Walrus
North America
Walrus
Asia
Walrus

Sea Lions and Fur Seals

Europe
South American Fur Seal
Afro-Australian Fur Seal
Northern Fur Seal
Steller's Northern Sea Lion
South American Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
North America
Northern Fur Seal
Steller's Northern Sea Lion
South American Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
South America
South American Fur Seal
South American Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
Asia
Afro-Australian Fur Seal
Steller's Northern Sea Lion
Australian Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
Africa
South American Fur Seal
Afro-Australian Fur Seal
South American Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
Oceania
New Zealand Fur Seal
Subantarctic Fur Seal
Australian Sea Lion
California Sea Lion

I may do seals later tonight.

25-02-2011

Regarding your alphabet zoo, what have you got lined up for the letter X? on second thoughts I bet you have something in mind!

25-02-2011

I know the quebec aquarium has got at least one atlantic Walrus in addition to some Pacifics. I am also to believe that they have got a few arctic seals, Harp, ringed and hooded I think. I should be able to confirm this at the end of march as I plan on visiting.

25-02-2011

By all means do! Confirmation of even just part of this lot would put this place on par with some of the Japanese aquariums with regards to rare species!

25-02-2011

A quick ISIS check shows 3 female harp seals, 1female hooded seal, 1 female atlantic walrus and a pair of Pacific Walrus. In addition to these rarer ones there are also 3 female grey seals and four female harbour seals. Bare in mind these are all coming from ISIS and we all know how iffy that can be.

26-02-2011

According to ISIS

Seals

North America
Northern Elephant Seal
Hooded Seal
Harbor Seal
Harp Seal
Grey Seal
Europe
Harbor Seal
Ringed Seal
Baikal Seal
Grey Seal
Asia
Bearded Seal
Largha Seal
Harbor Seal
Caspian Seal
Ringed Seal
Grey Seal
Oceania
Leopard Seal

26-02-2011

Being a devoted marine mammal fan and one who always hopes for their return to the much improved zoos of today compared to those in which they were usually short-lived in the past, my heart took a few extra beats upon seeing Northern Elephant Seal listed by you.

At first I thought you were listing this species based on that young ones can be seen during open days at some of the rescue facilities on the West Coast, as well as very occasionally at the San Francisco Zoo, but then I remembered that you took this from ISIS and such facilities don't (far as I know) contribute to ISIS. So I checked and indeed there is: 0.1 specimen is listed for the San Diego Zoo.

Now, here comes the million dollar question: anyone knows anything about this animal? I searched Google News but found nothing and same goes for the zoo's website.

26-02-2011

I'm afraid this one is long since dead.

26-02-2011

Beat me to my deletion Baldur

26-02-2011

Faster than a speeding bullet, that's me

26-02-2011

Sorry Baldur, but the Northern Elephant seal listed on ISIS for the San Diego Zoo is just another one of the many ISIS "corpses". It does not exist. Do not trust ISIS for San Diego animals.

26-02-2011

I should probably have realised that, though I know, as I check marine mammal statuses on ISIS every now and then, that this animal was not registered there last time I checked, which would have been sometime last year. In fact, I have a friend who tells me that San Diego has not had an Elephant Seal on public display since 1981.

San Diego's entries are indeed infamous for inaccuracy and out-of-date info. It seems odd since their late registrar, Marvin L. Jones (whose name was well known both in the USA and Europe, particulary among those who take interest in zoo history) was renowed for his close eye for detail and vast knowledge, but come to think of it, I'm not sure if Marvin was even responsible for ISIS when he was at the Zoo from 1981 to 1995, it may have been someone else. But these are just speculations, I knew him a bit.