Harbor Seal Set to Make His Public Debut Next Month at Blank Park Zoo

(Des Moines, IA) -- Staff from the Blank Park Zoo picked up an unusual FedEx package earlier this month.

Through a collaboration involving FedEx and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Walnut, a 4 year-old male harbor seal born at the Los Angeles Zoo, was flown to Eppley Airfield in Omaha on June 9th. Walnut's trip started in Los Angeles, where, in a travel-safe container, he was loaded onto a FedEx flight headed to Memphis that made a stop in Omaha. From there, Walnut was taken by vehicle to Blank Park Zoo.

The Blank Park Zoo says Director of Animal Care and Travis Wickersham and Associate Veterinarian Dr. Colin Berg accompanied Walnut on the trip, monitoring his wellbeing throughout the journey. The trip was made possible by FedEx, the Los Angeles Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Since his arrival in Des Moines, Walnut has been in standard quarantine before he makes his first public appearance, but he's expected to join Zoey and Meatball at the Zoo's Hub Harbor next month.