Rasal passed away this morning, Oct. 17, due to age-related health complications. At 40 years old, she far exceeded the typical 22-year life expectancy of harbor seals in captivity, placing her among the five oldest known in the country.
A news release from The Maritime Aquarium expressed anguish over the animal’s demise:
“The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is deeply saddened to announce the passing of
Rasal, a beloved harbor seal who spent nearly two decades in Norwalk inspiring guests, mentoring trainers and leading her fellow seals with intelligence, grace and courage.”
Born in 1985 and rescued as a pup off the coast of Maine, Rasal came to the Norwalk aquarium in 2005 from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. She is believed to have spent time in the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program.
Over the past 20 years, she became a cornerstone of the aquarium’s seal exhibit and a favorite of both staff and guests, the news release said.
Curiosity, Boldness, Prognostication
According to the aquarium, “Rasal’s intelligence was matched only by her charisma, curiosity and boldness:
“She was the first to explore new areas of Pinniped Cove, try new behaviors, and the one the other seals followed. Rasal also became nationally known for her impressive streak of Super Bowl predictions — correctly picking the winning team for three years in a row.”
Image from The Maritime Aquarium website
By retrieving a football with the Eagles’ logo last year, Rasal predicted that team would win the Superbowl, and it did.
Intelligent, Mentoring Trainers
“Rasal was incredibly smart — one of the smartest seals I’ve ever worked with,” said Rachel Stein, director of animal husbandry at the aquarium. “She knew so many behaviors and performed them with such consistency and enthusiasm. She taught generations of trainers, and she taught us with patience and confidence.”
Dylan Salamone, assistant curator at the aquarium and one of Rasal’s trainers, said she was the seal with whom most young trainers first learned how to train. But his connection with Rasal goes back even further.
“When I was a child visiting the aquarium, Rasal was the one I remembered,” he said. “Years later, I had the honor of working with her, and being with her at the end of her life was incredibly special.”
Rasal’s long life “is a testament to the excellent care she received from the aquarium’s Animal Husbandry team,” the announcement said.
The news release concluded its elegiac eulogy by saying:
“Her impact extended far beyond the exhibit. Rasal inspired thousands of guests to care about marine life and helped to shape the aquarium’s seal program into what it is today. Her presence was foundational as the aquarium evolved — welcoming new seals, new exhibits, and new generations of staff. Her loss will be felt immensely.”