IWAKI, Fukushima Prefecture--The disaster-hit Aquamarine Fukushima sea museum here welcomed back its star harbor seal on June 26--along with a cute little bonus.
IWAKI, Fukushima Prefecture--The disaster-hit Aquamarine Fukushima sea museum here welcomed back its star harbor seal on June 26--along with a cute little bonus.
The pregnant 6-year-old seal Kurara was evacuated to Kamogawa Seaworld in Chiba Prefecture on March 16, five days after the Great East Japan Earthquake knocked out power in Fukushima Prefecture.
About 200,000 fish and shellfish died at Aquamarine Fukushima following the disaster.
But Kurara gave birth to a healthy male pup on April 7.
Kurara's baby has yet to be named. Visitors will be able to view the proud mother and her baby from July 15, when the aquarium, located in Iwaki's Onahama area, reopens.
The pup weighs 27.5 kilograms, about one-third of his mother's weight. Since he is still learning how to get around on dry land, he sometimes slides back into the water.
An employee at Aquamarine Fukushima, which is still undergoing restoration, said the two harbor seals represent the area's hopes for a prosperous future.