Seal Brothers: Kroshik and Shlisik's Return to Rehab
Two seals return to rehab after failed wild release attempt.
- BackZee
- 3 min read
TL;DR 🚀
- Kroshik and Shlisik, two seals from St. Petersburg, are back in rehab after failing to adapt to the wild.
- Attempts to teach them hunting skills flopped—only 2-3 fish caught out of 30!
- Next year, the seals might get another shot at freedom.
Imagine being a seal who just can’t seem to cut the cord from the cozy life of rehab. Meet Kroshik and Shlisik, the seal duo who had a wild dream but are back to the drawing board. 🦭💔
The Seal Saga Continues 🦭
So here’s the scoop: Kroshik and Shlisik were taken back to the rehabilitation center after a summer of trying to become wild seals. The idea was to teach them to fend for themselves in the gorgeous waters of Lake Ladoga. Sounds like an epic adventure, right? Well, not quite.
Initially, Kroshik seemed to be ready to take on the wild. He stopped asking for pets and cuddles—classic sign he was ready to embrace his inner seal. But when the big day came, it turned out the wild was just a bit too wild for him. 😬
In September, the folks at the Baltic Seal Friends Fund revealed that after a few weeks of trying, the seals had only managed to catch a measly 2-3 fish out of 30. Talk about a major fail! It seems these seals have a discerning palate, preferring tastier snacks over the local fish buffet.
Why They Struggled 🌊
The seals didn’t just bomb their fishing test; they also showed a serious lack of enthusiasm for the usual catch. The team speculated that perhaps they were just picky eaters. “Maybe they’re holding out for some gourmet ruffe,” the team quipped. With that kind of attitude, it’s no wonder these guys weren’t ready for the wild just yet.
Not to worry, though! The team is planning to give it another shot next year. “We didn’t want to risk sending Kroshik out this year, but hey, we’re learning and adapting too,” they said. Sometimes, it’s all about patience, right?
The Backstory of Kroshik and Shlisik 📖
Kroshik has been living in the marine mammal center since 2016, after being rescued by a fisherman. He was just a tiny 4-kilo baby seal who waddled up to the guy while he was fishing—talk about a seal of approval! 🐟
After multiple attempts to release him into the wild, he kept coming back. Now, he’s a star at the center, learning tricks and living it up in a special outdoor pool.
Shlisik, on the other hand, joined the crew in 2020. This little guy was found all alone on an ice floe, barely two days old. He was raised with a special formula until he was strong enough to try living in the wild. But just like Kroshik, he wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the humans.
Quick Takeaways 📌
- Kroshik and Shlisik are back in rehab after failing to adapt to the wild.
- Their fishing skills were subpar—only a few fish caught!
- The team is optimistic about trying again next year.
What do you think—should these seals get another chance at the wild? Drop your thoughts below! 🦭✨