The Roving Reporters travelled to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in VA Beach to learn more about the different exhibits. Upon arriving at the Aquarium, guests are greeted by a massive tank which houses the four male harbor seals: Peter, Piper, Hector, and Rudder. These seals are cared for greatly with trainers following a daily routine to ensure adequate training and good conditioning to make the seals comfortable, especially with Rudder.
Rudder is the latest addition to the seal family, the aqaurium only caring for him for one year so far. He is two years old and was found in the wild, which brought up a challenge to trainers who have trained the other three who were born in facilities. Rudder was found injured with deep cuts on his back. The rescue team brought him in to rehabilitate with the hope of releasing him, only for the veterinarians to deem him not able to be released. Instead, he was brought to the Aquarium and trained under the care of the five trainers that are there almost everyday. Rudder has healed since then and has been trained thoroughly to be comfortable in his home and created a bond with each trainer and other seals.
Once the seal staff arrives, the main priority is food preparation. Each fish is checked to be of "restaurant quality." One trainer stated, "If it [the fish] doesn't look like you would eat it, then we don't feed it to them." The fish used as feed includes herring, for weight gain, squid, and butterfish. Each seal has their favorites, but they are trained to try each fish type just in case the aquarium cannot get that certain fish. Since winter is approaching, trainers are feeding the seals about 10 pounds of fish a day in order for them to gain the blubber required to keep warm.
After food preparation and the initial feedings, the tanks and rocks of the exhibit are cleaned to keep the boys healthy. Then, at around 9:45 am, the staff will meet to discuss and plan for the day ahead.
As guests come in to the aquarium, the showings start. Each seal has the option to participate, but they are not forced to participate. One trainer will explain a bit about the harbor seals and how they are trained. The main focus is the conservation message of being aware to not approach these mammals in the wild. Then the seals are fed again and follow the commands of the trainers. The team will, one by one, weigh each seal for record keeping purposes. Record-keeping is another big part of the care and maintenance of the exhibit because it keeps track of daily feedings and weights to track and properly care for these mammals.
The seals' lives are pretty busy day to day, but the staff makes sure to care for each of them properly and to make their lives as comfortable as possible.