Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center Seal Move to Milwaukee County Zoo.

(Riverhead, NY) One of Long Island Aquarium’s harbor seals, Bumper, is getting ready to leave his home on Sunday, December 4, and make new friends at Wisconsin’s Oceans of Fun, located inside the Milwaukee County Zoo.
 
Although it seems like only yesterday, Bumper was born more than two years ago in June 2009 at the Aquarium, joining big sister, Coral, as the first two harbor seals born at the Aquarium. In April 2010, Coral moved to New York Aquarium and is happy and healthy. Now, her little brother will be moving as well. This move, however, is a little further than the last – Wisconsin’s Oceans of Fun is close to 1,000 miles from Long Island Aquarium.
 
“Our little boy is leaving his pool on the east end of Long Island to travel a great distance to meet new friends,” says Senior Mammal Trainer, Candyce Paparo. “We are sad to see him go, but know that our current seal exhibit is regulated for a certain number of animals. We also want to prevent breeding with relatives and to help maintain a healthy captive gene pool in aquarium facilities.”

Bumper will be introduced to all of his new friends in early December when he makes the journey to Wisconsin. For now, he has been moved to a holding pool behind the scenes to prepare for his transport.
 
The Long Island Aquarium family describes Bumper as a beautiful, intelligent, and fun-loving animal. They all agree that Bumper is sure to bring pleasure and delight to all of the people that will get to see and interact with him at his new home.
 
“We are very excited that Bumper is going to such a great facility where he will be involved in shows and interactive guest programs,” says Director of Mammal Training, Ann Yaiullo. “And he will be in great company, joining two other harbor seals, as well as multiple California sea lions.”
 
Male harbor seals can top 250 lbs. and live up to 30 years. 
 
Dedicated to the field of marine mammal science and education, Oceans of Fun’s goal to provide the best possible environment, training, husbandry and care for our marine mammals with the focus of educating the public about marine life, environmental protection and conservation. Oceans of Fun is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, as well as by the International Marine Animal Trainers Associations.

About Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
Two great family attractions in one fin-tastic destination, this full-scale Aquarium and brand-new Exhibition Center features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including Shark Dive, Pirate Snorkel Adventure, Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat and Sea Lion Kiss. Long Island Exhibition Center’s first exhibit is Butterflies & Birds! Flying for a limited engagement, only, don’t miss them! Hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm year-round. Closed Christmas Day. Located adjacent to the Hyatt Place East End hotel, LIA & EC is also the home of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, New York’s only authorized marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center, and the 120-slip transient marina, Treasure Cove Resort Marina. The Aquarium was recently ranked by Parents Magazine as one of the “Top Aquariums for Kids.” Visit Web site for more details: www.LongIslandAquarium.com