SEALS

~ Pinni ~

Born: May 31st, 2013

Pinni is short for Pinniped, the suborder that seals and sea lions belong to.

This little princess sits up on her hind flippers and waves to get your attention.

~ Damian ~

Born: May 23th, 2013
You may have noticed this guy staring at you as you walked in. Damian, named after Portland Trailblazer Damian Lillard, often monopolizes the seal window. Splashing and grunting, this little one is already a specialist at capturing the public’s attention.

~Frankie ~

Born: June 7th, 2011Frankie quickly picked up on the fact that if you splash the public, they will give you TONS of attention and lots of fish… she’s a clever one (she is also a playful one, watch out for her and her buoy).

~ Shireen ~

Born: June 10th, 2006
Shireen is the third pup of 2006. Shireen’s beautiful eyes always find the camera. Scully is the mother of Shireen.

~ Vivian ~

Born: June 7th, 2006
Vivian is the second pup of 2006. Cosmo, Vivian’s mother, gives her some swimming tips.

~ Reagan ~

Born: June 5th, 2004Captivating visitors with his irresistible puppy dog eyes, Reagan was the third of five seal pups born in the summer of 2004. He was named in honor of the former president Ronald Reagan.

~ Lewis ~

Born: June 6th, 2003Lewis was the second seal pup born at the Seaside Aquarium in 2003. He was named after the famous explorer Meriwether Lewis in honor of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Capturing your attention by slapping his belly, Lewis’s appetite for fish legendary.

~ Scully ~

Born: June 19th, 1998Scully is the swimmer in our “gang”. She loves to swim underwater holding her breath for several minutes. Like Drexler, she is a sneaky fish thief, and will spring from nowhere to snag a prize piece of food!

~ Cosmo ~

Born: May 29th, 1999Cosmo can be identified by her unspotted chest and light fur. She’s most famous for her “twirling” and her beguiling stare. But don’t let her innocent looks fool you; she is really after your food.

~Greta ~

Born: May 26th, 1996Greta has a veritable arsenal of ways to grab your attention and get you to throw a fish or two her way. Two of her favorites are clapping her side and splashing in the water. It’s fun to watch her just to what she’ll do next!

Seal FAQ

Is there more space for the seals?

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.

Do the seals have to 'beg' for their food?

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.

Where do you get your seals?

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.

Why don't you let them go?

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.

How long do Harbor Seals live?

The average life span for harbor seals in the wild is fifteen years. The average life span for seals in captivity is twenty years. The Seaside Aquarium holds the record of the P.S.U Survey for having the oldest seal in the world at thirty-five years. Clara was a favorite with our visitors until her passing in 1979.