@SusScrofa Thylo is one of the people I've consulted with on the photo before posting. This is also a different, younger seal, though she looks very similar. And neither look anything like any ringed seal photo I've found elsewhere online.
@TinoPup How many seals were in the pool? For the last few years there have been four, three harbor seals and one ringed seal. Natchek the ringed seal is around 28 but I’d imagine he’d be able to live well past that.
@Westcoastperson We saw 3. This was a different seal that the similar-looking one that was previously there. The markings are different and she's much smaller.
@TinoPup Ok, I don’t know I’m very skeptical of it being a harp seal. If it’s a young harp seal the fur should be spotted black not blotched, and if it’s an adult the black should be on the head aswell and it should be a solid separation between light and dark fur. Plus why would anyone send a harp seal to SeaWorld San Diego? Their exhibit open top in warm sunny San Diego. Why not send the harp seal to a colder aquarium or the indoor exhibit at SWO? The only reason SD has/had ringed seals is because they take animals from Alaska Sea Life center, Monterey Bay, and the Pinniped Lab.
@Westcoastperson They don't always have black on their heads as adults; the ones I saw at Aquarium du Quebec in 2022 didn't, with this being the best example: imgur.com (my photo, can't upload images to comments). This harp also has similar belly markings to this seal. Why does anyone send any animal places? This is their Wild Arctic exhibit, also home to walruses and belugas, also not "warm sunny" species.
