Yes. The seals have an area that provides them with another pool and a large dry resting area for night sleeping. These areas are available all the time; however, the seals choose to spend the majority of their day in the public viewing pool. Harbor seals live in “herds” in the wild and choose to group together.
No. The seals are fed on a regular schedule. They are not trained by the staff. These hams really enjoy what they are doing and have developed their tricks on their own. Each seal has a distinct personality.
All of our seals were born here at the Seaside Aquarium. The Seaside Aquarium has a long history of successful seal breeding. We were the first aquarium in the world to successfully breed harbor seals in captivity. Now we concentrate on intentional parenthood. Some of the seals that are with us today are sixth generation Aquarium born and raised animals.
These seals would probably not survive if they were released. Studies by the National Marine Fisheries Service indicate that harbor seals that have remained in captivity for more than one year do not readily adapt to life in the wild. Everyone who works for the Seaside Aquarium or is associated with the Seaside Aquarium cares deeply about these seals. We respect them as living creatures of our earth and take seriously the responsibility we have for their care and well-being. We are governed by the Department of Agriculture and the standards and regulations they set. We are inspected twice annually – without notice. We have a trained vet who makes monthly checkups.
The average life span for harbor seals in the wild is fifteen years. The average life span for seals in captivity is twenty years. Clara was a favorite with our visitors until her passing in 1979 (she lived to be 35 years old).
We have a small gravel parking lot behind the aquarium. Additional parking is located three blocks away on Oceanway next to the Seaside Convention Center. With this link https://www.seasideor.com/parking.
The Seaside Aquarium is a true Pacific Northwest aquarium displaying marine life which lives off of the Oregon Coast. Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf eels, and rockfish make up a majority of our displays.
