The first seal was born: Ukrainian polar explorers choose a name for the baby

Newborn seal/National Antarctic Science Center

On Tuesday, September 17, the first Weddell seal of the year was born near the Ukrainian Antarctic station Akademik Vernadskyi. A newborn boy was born on Winter Island, which is located opposite Galindez Island.

This was reported on Facebook by Ukrainian polar explorers who had been watching the pregnant female since September 1.

Biologist Svetozar Davydenko from the 29th expedition said that births were tracked using a drone.

Scientists have already taken a sample of the seal's placenta for research, and also continue annual monitoring of the population of these animals. Polar scientists are calling on everyone to suggest a name for the newborn seal on social networks.

In the first days, babies usually weigh 25-30 kilograms and grow very quickly on nutritious mother's milk – its fat content is 54%. By the end of feeding, which lasts about 3 months, their weight can reach 90 kilograms. And adult Weddell seals weigh 400. The pregnancy of these animals lasts 10 months, and they can become pregnant already a few months after giving birth. So “weddell cubs” are mostly born at the beginning of the Antarctic spring. Each female brings one cub, the National Antarctic Science Center said. the first seal: Ukrainian polar explorers choose a name for the baby” />

Newborn seal

Also, scientists generally track the annual breeding success of Weddell seals. In particular, it strongly depends on the presence of sea ice, because it is on it or on the shores with a convenient descent into the water that seal pups are born. . Write your options in the comments until 23:59 on September 22. Polar explorers of the 29th UAE will choose the most interesting idea, and its author will receive a gift from us – the chevron of this expedition.

Newborn seal