Warning
BRUTAL END
Horrifying moment seal dies in front of shocked kids at aquarium after getting its head trapped in a drainage hole
TOURISTS at an aquarium in China have been left horrified after a young seal got its head stuck in a drainage hole and died.
Distressing footage shows the lifeless creature floating upright in the tank with its head stuck in the drainage hole.
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Other spotted seals - a protected species in the country – desperately attempted to nudge it free by swimming hopelessly around the trapped body.
The incident took place at noon on Sunday at Sun Asia Ocean World in the city of Dalian in north-eastern China's Liaoning Province.
An aquarium worker entered the tank and tried in vain to yank the dead seal out of the drain by pulling repeatedly on its flipper – all while horrified tourists watched on.
According to one eyewitness, he failed to free the seal because the suction of the drain pipe was too strong.
Eventually, the worked had to turn off the water pump before dragging the mammal out of the pool, with the seal’s blood turning the tank red, an eyewitness described.
The traumatising incident reportedly took place after the seal managed to remove the cover using its mouth and claws.
It was then sucked head first into the water circulation drain.
The aquarium said this particular seal was born and bred in captivity, adding handlers were left “saddened” by the incident.
The aquarium has promised to launch an investigation, and "continue with its protection and conservation efforts towards marine animals."
Spotted seals live in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and can be found along the north-eastern cost of China, particularly on the Liaodong Peninsula near the Yellow Sea.
The species gets its name from its coat pattern and are a second-class protected animal species in China.
Hunting, farming or trading of spotted seals without permission is prohibited by China's Wildlife Protection Law.
The death of the young seal has outraged the Chinese public, many who have accused the aquarium of avoiding its responsibility.
China Cetacean Alliance, a coalition of international animal protection and conservation organisations, condemned the park for failing to look after its animals, let alone to protect them.
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