Jabulani, the South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) born at Zoo Praha on 5 June, can now be seen by visitors. The two-month-old male has made his debut in the habitat near the zoo’s main entrance after overcoming a difficult start to life that initially required round-the-clock assistance from veterinarians and keepers.
The youngster was given the name Jabulani, from the Zulu language of South Africa, which can be loosely translated as “to bring joy”. He is the first South African fur seal pup visitors have been able to see at Zoo Praha in seven years and is the great-grandson of Gaston, one of the zoo’s best-known animals.
“The first days of the pup’s life were dramatic because Daisy apparently did not have enough milk and showed little interest in her offspring. The male survived only thanks to the continuous care of the veterinarian and keepers, who decided to give the otherwise tenacious pup a chance,” said Zoo Praha Director Lenka Poliaková.
Back with his mother after the first critical days
About a week after the birth, the situation changed. Daisy began producing sufficient milk and her maternal behaviour developed, allowing Jabulani to return to his mother.
“Now we can all watch the two-month-old male exploring the habitat alongside his mother,” said Jakub Mezei, Zoo Praha’s head fur seal keeper.
South African fur seals give birth on land and pups gradually learn to swim from their mothers. Because the Prague habitat does not have the gently sloping access to water or tidal pools that youngsters would encounter in their natural environment, keepers initially provided Jabulani with pools of different sizes behind the scenes.
At the beginning of August, he was ready to venture into the large main pool.
His development is also reflected in his weight. Jabulani weighed 4.51 kilograms at birth and now weighs 14 kilograms, more than three times his original weight. He remains completely dependent on his mother’s milk and is not expected to begin trying fish until next year.
Five South African fur seals at Zoo Praha
Jabulani’s father is Eda, who moved to Rostock Zoo in Germany last year as part of the genetic management of the population. Zoo Praha is now home to adolescent male Oslo, who arrived from Pairi Daiza in Belgium and is expected to become the father of future offspring.
The zoo currently keeps five South African fur seals: Oslo and females Abeba, Ronja and Daisy, together with Jabulani. The youngster is expected to move to another zoo in the future, as the species lives in social groups led by a single dominant male.
According to Zoo Praha, it is the only zoo in Czechia currently keeping South African fur seals, and the species is present in just 16 zoos across the European Union.
Visitors can now see Jabulani with his mother every morning except Fridays, when the large pool is cleaned.
 born at Zoo Praha on 5 June, can now be seen by visitors.){kind=link}