PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s 49-year-old harbor seal named “Skinny” is likely the oldest seal in captivity, and in a year, could be the oldest seal in recorded history, according to data kept by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums spokesperson Tim Lewthwaite told NewsNation affiliate KOIN that the oldest seal to ever live in an AZA-accredited zoo was a female named “Betty.” Betty died in 2019, and lived to be 50 years, 1 month and 14 days old. As of Aug. 6, Skinny is 49 years, 2 months and 5 days old, which means she is 11 months and 10 days away from achieving the all-time record.
“There is one other animal older than both in [our records], but they were transferred to a non-AZA facility in 2005 and no longer receive updates, so may or may not be alive, but I cannot confirm,” Lewthwaite said.
Harbor seals can live into their late teens in the wild. However, seals are known to reach their 20s and older in captivity, Oregon Coast Aquarium spokesperson Courtney Klug told KOIN.
Skinny came to the Oregon Coast Aquarium shortly before its grand opening in 1992 after spending her first 17 years of her life at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.
“Skinny’s longevity reflects her status as a survivor,” Klug said. “In 1975, Skinny was just a pup when she was found stranded on a beach in Washington, orphaned, dehydrated, and starving. After receiving immediate care she was deemed non-releasable.”
Skinny is said to be a crowd favorite at the aquarium and is easy to spot. Klug said visitors can identify Skinny by looking for her wide eyes and sleek, silver fur.
“Her caretakers describe her as the sassiest seal in the pool, and often joke that she doesn’t blink,” the Oregon Coast Aquarium shared on social media. “If she did, another decade might just fly by.”
