Rescued Baby Fur Seal At NE Aquarium Needs A Name

BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Aquarium is seeking the public's help to name a recently rescued northern fur seal pup.

The tiny baby seal was found on a central California beach weighing just 13 pounds, or about one more pound than he was at birth eight months ago.

He is blind in one eye and his coat cannot keep him warm in the cold ocean waters.

After two months of rehab, the seal was flown to his new home at the New England Aquarium. His transition has been smooth, but staffers believe the seal needs one more thing: a name.

"Because seals, much like dogs, rely on name recognition to learn new behaviors, picking a new name is a high priority," the Aquarium said, in a press release.

Starting Thursday through next Tuesday, the Aquarium is holding a contest to name the seal.

Check: Contest Details

Federal wildlife officials said the seal, which is now up to 20 pounds, cannot be released into the wild and will have to call the Aquarium his permanent home.