N.C. Zoo Welcomes New 'Members'

Asheboro, N.C. — Seven animals arrived at the zoo between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Monday.

A 6-foot, 300-pound male harp seal will now call the zoo’s Rocky Coast exhibit home. The seal was found malnourished off the coast of New Jersey two months ago. Following rehabilitation at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in New Jersey, the center chose the North Carolina Zoo to keep the seal.

The zoo also received six southern white rhinos. The group includes three adult females, two male calves and a female calf. The rhinos arrived after a stay at a sanctuary in Florida.

The rhinos’ arrival is part of an $8 million expansion of the zoo’s elephant and rhinoceros exhibits. Zoo officials hope to release the rhinos in the African Plains habitat by mid-summer.