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1st Ld-Writethru: Rare seal twins born in NE China

Xinhua, March 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

A rare pair of harbor seals were born at a marine park in the northeast province of Liaoning, China.

The first male pup was delivered at 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday, the other arrived about an hour later, according to SunAsia Ocean World, Dalian City.

They are believed to be China's first harbor seal twins born in captivity, said a statement on the marine park's website. The park plays a major role in the seal breeding program.

Harbor seals are under state-level protection.

The twins, weighing 8.8 kilograms and 8.2 kilograms, are in good health, according to the statement.

Their mother was found to be pregnant in December 2014 and has since been given special care, said breeder Sun Li.

It is very rare for this breed to have multiple pregnancies, as such the mother has rejected the second cub. Therefore, staff are caring for the younger pup.

Wild harbor seals are found off the coasts of North America, Northern Europe and Northeast Asia. In China, they can be found around Liaodong Bay in the Bohai Sea. Endi