A Japanese aquarist who accidentally named a baby seal wrongly in a post online and then bowed in apology to the animal, prompting it to extend its flipper in a gesture of apparent forgiveness, has gone viral.
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The heartwarming moment has attracted more than 30 million viewers online, turning a minor mishap into a global sensation.
The touching story unfolded at the Joetsu Aquarium Umiagatari in Joetsu, Niigata prefecture, on the west coast of Japan’s Honshu Island, on July 19.
An unidentified aquarist shared a photo of a seal standing upright on its hind flippers, seemingly striking a pose.
The aquarium is home to about 45,000 aquatic creatures across 300 species and boasts Japan’s largest collection of Magellanic penguins, with over 100 on display.
It is also one of the few places in the country where visitors can see beluga whales.