Ellie the Harbor Seal Underwent Eye Surgery
Aquarium staff provides Ellie the harbor seal specialized care to give her the best quality of life in her geriatric years.
Ellie the harbor seal rests in her habitat at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Credit: Robin Riggs
June 22, 2026
Ellie the harbor seal underwent a successful surgery to relieve inflammation in one of her eyes. She is recovering behind-the-scenes at the Aquarium and will soon return to her habitat with the other seals and sea lions.
Now at thirty-seven years old, Ellie is in her golden years, exceeding the typical life expectancy of a harbor seal, which ranges from twenty-five to thirty years. Ellie has been at the Aquarium since she was ten years old.
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) can be found off the coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Along the U.S. West Coast, they can be found from Baja California, Mexico to the Bering Sea, as well as on all five islands in the Channel Islands National Park. Harbor seals can be identified through their fusiform body shape—rounded in the middle and tapered at both ends. Read more about harbor seals through the Aquarium’s Marine Species Report Card.
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Aquarium of the Pacific and its staff are deeply committed to leading the way in setting new standards in compassionate animal care. Our animal care team works to ensure every animal is in a habitat that meets its individual needs, receives proper nutrition, is monitored daily for behaviors that could indicate any issues, and receives enrichment to maintain a high quality of life. All animals and their habitats are assessed on a regular schedule with follow-up protocols for any areas identified for improvement.
