New Seal At The Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) has welcomed a new Pacific harbor seal, and though “Garry” is the youngest and smallest of the Aquarium’s seals, she’s making a big splash.  

Garry was rescued as a pup in British Columbia in August 2023 and joined the Aquarium’s marine mammal family in January 2025. She was under two weeks old when she was found stranded and was taken to the Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Center for immediate care. Due to severe infections, both of Garry’s eyes were surgically removed, making her non-releasable to the wild.

Vancouver officials contacted OCAq, known for its expertise in caring for visually impaired seals. The Aquarium’s marine mammal care team agreed Garry would be a strong fit alongside their four resident seals, who all receive treatment for vision-related conditions.  

Transporting 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. Garry initially spent her time in a behind-the-scenes holding area, where she could settle and get familiar with her care team.

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.  

“She’s a smart cookie,” said OCAq 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 OCAq’s pinnipeds, including two California sea lions. OCAq Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals Ashley Griffin-Stence noted Garry’s budding relationship with Tazzy, the Aquarium’s 16-year-old harbor seal.

“They’re both young, energetic, and sassy,” Griffin-Stence said. “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. She can be identified by her small size and the dark fur where her eyes once were. Like all Aquarium mammals, she will continue to rotate behind-the-scenes for health checks, training, and habitat maintenance. Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of Garry are encouraged to visit the pinniped habitat during a twice-daily feed. Learn more about OCAq’s animals and plan your visit at aquarium.org.

(information, video and photo by OCAq)