Seal at Cornish Seal Sanctuary becomes father at 36

A captive seal in Cornwall has become a father again, taking staff at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary by surprise considering he is the equivalent to 80 human years old.

Babyface, a 36-year-old Common Seal, has fathered many pups during his life, spending 26 years at Colchester Zoo before moving to the Sanctuary in Gweek back in 2010.

The new arrival took everyone at the park by surprise, having only discovered that mate Sija was pregnant just a few weeks previous. Animal care team leader Tamara Cooper said that she was shocked but delighted when discovering the newborn while on her morning rounds. The sex and the name of the new pup have not yet been unveiled.

Babyface is instantly recognisable at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary because he only has one eye; he had to undergo surgery to have his left eye removed after he contracted an eye infection. If you are looking forward to your holidays in Cornwall this summer, why not come along to the sanctuary and say hello to Babyface and his new pup?

Image Credit: davharuk (Flickr.com)