SeaWorld San Diego welcomes two rescued Alaskan ringed seals

SeaWorld San Diego has introduced two new ringed seals, Mavsaq and Taku, as part of its Wild Arctic exhibit, the Times of San Diego reported. These seals were rescued in Alaska and transferred to SeaWorld after being deemed non-releasable by the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Mavsaq was found outside his natural habitat on an oil field in Alaska's Beaufort Sea in December 2025, while Taku was discovered abandoned and lethargic on a rusty pipe at Dutch Harbor in 2018. Both seals received care at the Alaska SeaLife Center before their transfer.

Visitors to SeaWorld San Diego will be able to see Mavsaq and Taku during select times at the Wild Arctic exhibit. SeaWorld San Diego and the Alaska SeaLife Center are the only North American facilities where the public can view ringed seals up close.

The ringed seal species is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. SeaWorld's vice president of zoological operations expressed satisfaction with the seals' adjustment and highlighted the park's expertise in caring for this species.