PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – While she’s the youngest and smallest seal to join the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Garry is “making a big splash,” in her new home.

Garry’s story began in British Columbia, where the Pacific harbor seal was found stranded in August of 2023 at less than two weeks old, according to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

The pup was taken to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society for immediate care, and was named Garry, after Garry Point Park.

Shortly after her rescue, aquarium officials said Garry had to have both of her eyes removed because of painful and persistent infections. She was also deemed non-releasable, meaning animal facilities had to work together to find a space where she could thrive.

That’s when VAMMR reached out to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which cares for other sight-impaired seals.

From there, the Oregon Coast Aquarium developed a plan to care for Garry, leading to “the most difficult part of the process,” — waiting for the Vancouver team to transfer Garry.

According to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, transfers, such as Garry’s, require special permits, which is typically a lengthy and complex process.

“That said, the wait was worth it,” the Oregon Coast Aquarium said, noting VAMMR made the trek to Newport in January.

Garry’s team unloaded her from an animal ambulance and transported her to the aquarium’s seal-holding area to settle in.

Garry adapted to the area “with ease,” the aquarium said.

“Though Garry can’t see, she can navigate her surroundings with ease thanks to her sensitive whiskers, called vibrissae. At the base of each vibrissa is a cluster of nerve endings, allowing seals to sense vibrations in the water, even while they are moving,” the Oregon Coast Aquarium explained.

Garry already knew her name and responded well to training from her caretakers’ verbal and touch-based cues, the Oregon Coast Aquarium said.

“She’s a smart cookie,” said Senior Mammalogist Megan Pros. “It’s amazing to see her training progress, especially since she’s such a young seal and relies on her whiskers and verbal cues to navigate.”

After building confidence, Garry explored more behind-the-scenes at the aquarium and met two California sea lions and four other Pacific harbor seals — including 49-year-old Skinny, 32-year-old Elvis, 29-year-old Miller and 16-year-old Tazzy – all of whom receive special treatments for vision-related conditions.

“Even though Garry is a fraction of their size, she’s keeping up with the others just fine,” said Curator of Marine Mammals Brittany Blades.

According to the aquarium, Garry will not reach her full size for a few years, and at 1.5 years old she currently weighs 60 pounds and measures three feet long compared to the fully grown seals, which range from 150-230 pounds and measure five to six feet long.

The aquarium’s assistant curator of marine mammals, Ashley Griffin-Stence, said she’s especially interested to see how Garry’s relationship with Tazzy, the aquarium’s second-youngest seal, unfolds.

“I am very excited to have Tazzy and Garry together,” Griffin-Stence said. “They are both blind, energetic, and sassy. So far, Garry seems to enjoy following Tazzy and touching noses together with her.”

Now, Garry spends a few days every week in the public pinniped habitat, aquarium officials said, noting she can often be seen trailing the other seals, and can be identified by the dark fur where her eyes once were along with her small size.

“Like OCAq’s other marine mammals, Garry will spend time behind the scenes for vet checks, training, and during habitat cleans,” aquarium officials said. “If you don’t see Garry during your next visit, check out the habitat later or on another day—we promise she’s worth the wait.”