33-year-old harbor seal Snapper dies

SEWARD – The Alaska SeaLife Center is saddened to announce the passing of Snapper, a 33-year-old harbor seal who was one of the Center’s original marine mammal residents. Snapper was recently humanely euthanized following a rapid decline due to age-related complications.

In the wild, harbor seals can live as long as 30 years. At 33, Snapper was well into his geriatric years for his species. As a result of his mature age, staff monitored his health closely and addressed various age-related issues since he outlived a normal life expectancy. While veterinarians treated his chronic issues like cataracts and arthritis over the years, these ailments worsened with age.

Dr. Kathy Woodie, ASLC veterinarian said “Providing veterinary care for marine mammals can be very challenging, especially as we innovate to manage the issues that accompany our geriatric patients. From eye drops to ultrasounds, Snapper has been the bravest harbor seal patient, and he will be sorely missed.”

Snapper was born at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut June 21, 1984 and resided there with other harbor seals and grey seals until 1985. He moved to two other aquariums before being permanently placed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in 1998. A month before the Center opened, Snapper arrived with 3 other harbor seals and lived at ASLC for almost exactly 20 years.

Over the years the Alaska SeaLife Center has participated in harbor seal research. Starting in 1998, Snapper played an integral role in an investigative study on the decline of harbor seals in the Gulf of Alaska. At the time, the harbor seal population in Alaska had reportedly decreased by 90 percent at Tugidak Island, near Kodiak.