She’s young, he’s old. She’s active, while he likes to relax.
Maybe opposites really do attract -- at least that’s what Bernie the harbor seal, 23, is discovering.
The long-time New York Aquarium resident has fallen in love with Coral, a 3-year-old female harbor seal at the Sea Cliffs exhibit.
The seals swim together and often seen kissing one another (see video below).
"Bernie and Coral are getting along great," said Jon Dohlin, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Center's New York Aquarium.
Although they have quite a few years between them, it's not impossible to see babies in the future.
This is a beautiful thing for Bernie, who hasn't spent much time with others of his own species. Aquarium staff is very excited about this pairing because it means Bernie not only has more company, but also seems to have found a mate.
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“It's a classic May-December romance," said Dohlin. "Perhaps we will hear the pitter patter of little seal flippers in the not-too-distant future.”
Harbor seals can be found in coastal waters of the northern Baltic and North Seas, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans - including right here in New York City waterways.
