Lions in Prague Zoo have received a new pavilion

Prague - Hundreds of Prague residents and tourists took advantage of the beautiful spring morning today and came to see the newly opened exhibit of South African seals at the Prague Zoo. The aquatic mammals showcased themselves in a pool that mimics a rocky seaside after more than a year.
    In addition to the five-member seal family, the audience was particularly captivated at the grand opening of the new pavilion by the First Club of Czech Swimmers. Men jumped into the water at a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius to perform their act in the seal pool to the cheers of the audience. Even the zoo director, Petr Fejk, bravely entered the water dressed in a wetsuit.
    The godfather of the exhibit became actor and host Marek Eben, who admitted that he prefers lazier animals to the lively South African aquatic mammals. "Seals are very mobile," he said. Mayor Pavel Bém adopted the youngest member of the seal family - six-year-old Abeba, the daughter of seal male Gaston, who died after the floods in 2002. The pavilion is dedicated to the memory of the most famous Czech seal.
    According to Fejk, the opening of the exhibit is the most significant event in the Prague Zoo this year. The pavilion has been under reconstruction since February 2008, and the renovations cost 39 million. Part of the pinnipeds temporarily moved to Ústí nad Labem during the repairs, while some remained in the non-public part of the Prague Zoo. Now the seals have a pool nearly 400 square meters in size with a water slide.
    A grandstand for nearly 300 seated people has been added for visitors. This was filled to capacity today, mostly by families with children. They also took the opportunity to observe the animals from underwater views.
    The seals' homeland, as well as their playfulness and energy, also inspired the organizers of the second annual festival Dance for Children, which begins today to mark the opening of the pavilion. It heralds the 21st edition of the Dance Prague Festival and will feature dance performances aimed at young audiences until June 1. The majority of events will take place at the Ponec Theatre, where both local and international artists will perform.