A zoo in north-east China has welcomed a new baby seal and captured the joyous birth on camera.

The baby spotted seal was reportedly born at the Dalian Saintya Ocean World. Located in Liaoning Province, on the early morning of 29th January.

The newly-born pup is China’s first baby seal of 2024, according to management staff.

A pair of spotted seals only give birth to one pup per year, staff said.

Surveillance footage that captured the process appeared to show that the birth went off without a hitch and both mum and the baby seemed to be in healthy condition.

The newly born spotted seal pup is covered in fur and needs to be fed on an ice floe for about a month before shedding its fur and entering the water, Dalian Saintya Ocean World added.

This is the only fin-footed marine mammal that reproduces in Chinese waters, with a current population of around 2,000, local media reported.

Newborn Seal Pup’s Loving Display With Mum

The spotted seal (Phoca largha), also known as the larga seal. Is a species of earless seal native to the northern coasts of the Pacific Ocean.

Recognised for their distinctive coat pattern of dark spots on a light background, these seals have robust bodies and relatively short flippers.

They are well-adapted to icy environments and are often found on ice floes.

Spotted seals are known for their vocalisations, including various calls and trills.

This species is important in the ecosystems of the Arctic and subarctic regions. And its population is estimated to be around 200,000 individuals.