NEWPORT – A harbor seal pup rescued in British Columbia two years ago and is now blind because it had its eyes removed due to infection has joined the four seals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
The Pacific harbor seal is named “Garry”. The aquarium said in a news release although she is the youngest and smallest of the aquarium’s seals, “she’s making a big splash.”
Garry was under two weeks old when she was found stranded and taken to the Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Center. Due to severe infections, both of Garry’s eyes were surgically removed, making her not able to be released back into the wild, the aquarium said.
Vancouver officials contacted the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which is known for its expertise in caring for visually impaired seals. Its staff agreed Garry could be a good fit alongside their four resident seals, who all receive treatment for vision-related conditions.
The aquarium said getting Garry to Oregon was a lengthy process that involved specialty permits and extensive coordination, but ultimately resulted in a successful trip from Vancouver to Newport in January. Garry initially spent her time in a behind-the-scenes holding area, where she could settle and get familiar with her caretakers.
Although blind, Garry uses her highly sensitive whiskers — called vibrissae — to detect water movement and navigate her habitat. Within weeks she began learning trained behaviors, the aquarium said.
“She’s a smart cookie,” said senior mammalogist Megan Pros. “It’s amazing to see her training progress, especially since she’s such a young seal and relies on her whiskers and verbal cues.”
Garry has since met all of the aquarium’s pinnipeds, including two California sea lions and seems to be developing a relationship with Tazzy, the aquarium’s 16-year-old harbor seal.
“They’re both young, energetic, and sassy,” said Ashley Griffin-Stence, assistant curator of marine mammals. “Garry has been following Tazzy and we’ve even seen them touch noses.”
Garry now appears several days each week in the public pinniped habitat and can be identified by her small size and the dark fur where her eyes once were, the aquarium said in its news release. She will continue to rotate behind-the-scenes for health checks, training, and habitat maintenance.
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