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"What is this adorable creature?" This growing baby seal is melting hearts! Its energetic antics have fans saying "Too angelic!" and "Grow big and strong!"
A baby seal was born this March at the Okhotsk Tokkari Center Seal Land, a specialized seal protection facility in Mombetsu, Hokkaido! Its energetic growth has become a hot topic on social media.
I had a feeling it was looking for water
It seemed to be luring its mom, Yo, to the water's edge too
I was wondering why it wanted to go into such a tight space, and then I saw...
there was water there☺️
You can really see it growing day by day
From a post by @MT_tamosyou
The baby seal strikes a pose as if peeking into something, but it seems to be looking for water. It desperately scrambles around, scratching at the facility's pipes, but can't quite move as it wants. Its earnest efforts have warmed the hearts of many, with a flood of comments on social media like, "What is this adorable creature?" and "Too angelic!"
Unstoppable Seal Love! The Tokkari Center Keepers Whose "Entire Lives are Seals"
Mother seal Yo-chan (right) and her baby (left)
The post was made by Masato, also known as Masato-ojisan, who photographs and shares about Hokkaido's wildlife on social media. He is now a passionate "sealer" (a seal enthusiast) who frequently visits the Tokkari Center, but he says he used to "avoid going to animal breeding facilities." What changed his mind was a conversation with a keeper at the Tokkari Center.
The keepers at the Tokkari Center just love seals, 24/7. Their entire lives are seals. They are the ultimate seal enthusiasts. They want to protect the seals they love and share their charm with everyone. Sensing that passion, I decided to start visiting the breeding facilities I had been avoiding, and I was quickly drawn in. I believe there is no other place where you can observe seals up close in such a safe environment.
The keepers at the Tokkari Center are always with the seals, and it's heartwarming to see them interact with the animals as if they were their own children or partners. The seals seem to accept their feelings in return. You'll feel their charm even more if you take the time to observe them carefully after the keeper's commentary sessions and after their training, where the seals learn to move their bodies and follow the keepers' instructions.
"When you come to Mombetsu, I highly recommend staying overnight and visiting the shops in town, including on Hamanasu Street!" says Masato. Why not visit Mombetsu and watch the baby seals grow at the Tokkari Center, where you can experience their natural charm up close?
X (formerly Twitter): @MT_tamosyou
Okhotsk Tokkari Center Seal Land
■Location: 2 Kaiyo-koen, Mombetsu-shi
■Admission: Adults 400 yen / Children (Elementary to High School) 200 yen / Toddlers Free
■Closed: New Year holidays
■Instagram: @tokkaricenter_official
See details and map for Okhotsk Tokkari Center Seal Land on Domingo
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