POINT PLEASANT – After the heartbreak of losing a beloved seal only a short time ago, Jenkinson’s Aquarium has welcomed in a new resident seal with a special quirk.
Turbo, a 10-month-old Pacific harbor seal, was rescued by the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. The seal was only two-weeks-old when she was rescued from a rocky beach in California after being separated from her mom.
Turbo suffered some injuries including one to her front flipper, Jenkinson’s staff said in a statement. As a result, her flipper was amputated.
“She was deemed non-releasable by NOAA due to her removed flipper and general lack of chasing and eating fish, both which would severely lessen her chances of survival in the wild,” staff said.
Back in September, Jenkinson’s Aquarium had to say goodbye to one of their beloved seals, Luseal, who passed away at the age of 34.
Luseal was rescued from the Point Pleasant Canal in the early 1990s and after being deemed non-releasable she became an official family member of Jenkinson’s Aquarium.
Luseal was a part of the community for more than three decades, and she surpassed the average life expectancy of her wild cousins by over a decade.
Photo courtesy Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Despite the heartbreak, seal lovers are excited to see Turbo and learn about the heartwarming story of her and her “big sister” Noelani.
“We are absolutely in love with the newest addition to the Jenkinson’s Aquarium family!” The announcement said. “Turbo arrived at Jenkinson’s Aquarium about a month ago and was introduced to her big sister, Noelani, on February 12.”
Although not being genetically related, Turbo and Noelani will live in the same space together. Noelani was also stranded in California and recovered at the same rescue center in Sausalito in 2018. Just like Turbo, she was deemed non-releasable. This is due to her clinical blindness caused by a form of brain atrophy.
“The girls are going great together and Turbo can’t wait to meet all the visitors!” Jenkinson’s Aquarium said.
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