Maritime Aquarium

Rasal Will Bark No More: Maritime Aquarium’s Eldest Harbor Seal Passes on to Pinniped Paradise at Age 40

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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.

Maritime Aquarium
Rasal harbor seal Maritime Aquarium

Breaking! Rasal the Harbor Seal Makes Superbowl LVII Pick

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In a 6-yard rush from the bottom of Pinniped Cove to the surface of the water, Rasal made her Super Bowl LVII pick at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. — an announcement from The Maritime Aquarium
“Rasal’s Super Bowl pick is something we look forward to every year at the Aquarium,”said Senior Trainer Dylan Salamone. “This year was especially exciting because she learned a new behavior — an underwater retrieval — to make her pick. Like the players in Sunday’s big game, she trained for this moment for weeks!”
Rasal’s pick: the Kansas City Chiefs. Losing out: the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Harbor Seal Aquarium Superbowl Pick 2019

Seal of Approval: By a Nose, Aquarium’s Harbor Seal Picks Patriots for Superbowl

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Rasal the harbor seal with the prognosticating proboscis at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, has made her pick for Super Bowl 53: the New England Patriots. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

The 33-year-old female seal knows how to hold her nose against the hand of her Aquarium trainers, and also against a “target pole” and other objects, including the exhibit window. On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the Aquarium seal exhibit was lined with alternating images of New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams helmets. When instructed to go to the exhibit window, Rasal decisively swam to — and held her nose against — a Patriots helmet, indicating her pick.