Aquamarine Fukushima, the last holder in Japan AFAIK lost theirs recently. I think Mystic was the last one in the US and their individual is gone too.There should still be a few places in Japan keeping them. And wasn't there are a US holder until fairly recently?
Tokkari Center in Hokkaido, Japan currently has a rescued individual off exhibit.
It's a pup that was rescued this May, and might come on exhibit depending on future situation.
Unfortunately Pukumaru the ribbon seal pup passed away last month:
Ye, you're correct. The last holder in the U.S was Mystic aquarium.Aquamarine Fukushima, the last holder in Japan AFAIK lost theirs recently. I think Mystic was the last one in the US and their individual is gone too.
They're mostly kept in Japan aquariums, which I don't know how they got their population (but have an idea), so I really don't think the species is going anywhere in captivity, unless some facility aquires them from a japanese facility, which I doubt.it is pretty, why are they not being held anywhere?
It was already stated above that there are currently no animals in Japanese zoos/aquariums. They require them from time to time as rescue animals, but the species has proven itself sensitive to temperature changes. The Fukushima specimen was only kept on exhibit for a few months a year during winter, all other months it was inside in a very cooled room.Ye, you're correct. The last holder in the U.S was Mystic aquarium.
They're mostly kept in Japan aquariums, which I don't know how they got their population (but have an idea), so I really don't think the species is going anywhere in captivity, unless some facility aquires them from a japanese facility, which I doubt.
Thanks for clearing that out! I got confused withe the number of spotted seals, which are much higher. I'm happy to see that japanese aquariums are stepping back from this practice.It was already stated above that there are currently no animals in Japanese zoos/aquariums. They require them from time to time as rescue animals, but the species has proven itself sensitive to temperature changes. The Fukushima specimen was only kept on exhibit for a few months a year during winter, all other months it was inside in a very cooled room.
I think one animal might be held in Russia. Russia was planning on getting them and they are even more eager to capture marine mammals than Japan is. Most Japanese aquariums have stepped back from these practises.