A much loved seal which became a huge aquarium attraction after being abandoned as a seal pup near Oban, has died.
The team at St Andrews Aquarium announced the death of Laurel, a popular member of their Aquarium family.
It was the aquarium’s very first harbour seal, and was a favourite at the popular Fife visitor attraction for more than 20 years. The death marks the end of an action-packed life where it brought smiles to the faces of many visitors to the aquarium.
The seal came to St Andrews after being found abandoned near Oban in 1991. Since then, it had been an enduring character at the aquarium.
No stranger to the limelight, Laurel first hit the headlines when its companion Hardy was swept out to sea following a horrific storm that hit the Fife Coast in 2010. Laurel lived alone in the extensive salt water seapool for almost 18 months before bosses at the aquarium sourced a playmate, Togo.
On Togo’s arrival, both seals were quarantined in separate adjoining pools. Tenacious Laurel became an overnight internet sensation after defying the laws of gravity and scaling a 4ft fence to get to know Togo, following his arrival from Denmark. The CCTV video of the seal’s audacious escape, and subsequent splash, clocked up over 11,000 views since it was released.
Intelligent and full of fun, Laurel thrived on playing games and showing off its skills, blowing bubbles and flipper waving to visitors.
Aquarium manager John Mace said: “Laurel was a true character and she packed a lot into her eventful life. Her tenacity, energy and ability to generate joy is something we will all miss here at the aquarium. We are desperately sad, but her memory will live on through the many, many stories the team here at the aquarium can tell visitors about the adventures she had.”
The aquarium plans to remember Laurel with a plaque in the enclosure where she lived for nearly 25 years. Laurel was one of four resident seals in the aquarium.