Animal-watching must be catching on in China. Government workers broke the ice to free 60 resident harbor seals trapped by a cold spell, then fed them fish.  Xinhuanet describes the rescuers as “workers of the scenic area.”

Even the big Chinese news agency views the animals plight with sympathy. “Poor Harbor Seals Trapped by Ice,” read the headline of their adorable slideshow.

Zinhuanet says the rescuers work at “ecological seal bay near Yantai City.” I think they’re talking about this giant tourist project, the Great Nanshan Ecological Park. Whatever the place is, they seem to realize how much people like to watch animals. Or maybe they’re just suckers for a cute, whiskered face.

To see more animals go to animaltourism.com