BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Oregon Coast Aquarium seal almost the oldest in history

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

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.

Skinny, one of the oldest seals in history, shares a moment with her handler. (Oregon Coast Aquarium)

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.”

West

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

66°F Sunny Feels like 66°
Wind
4 mph SSW
Humidity
33%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
5 mph SW
Precip
15%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous