Visually Impaired Harbor Seal Makes Her Debut at the Aquarium of Niagara

Niagara Falls, N.Y. (Aug. 31, 2026) — The Aquarium of Niagara is thrilled to announce its newest rescued resident, a three-year-old female harbor seal named Papita!

Papita came to the Aquarium earlier this year from the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) in Seward, A.K. When Papita was first spotted in July 2023 with severe injuries to her body and both eyes in Seldovia, AK, two local residents and the Seldovia Village Tribe helped safely retrieve the young seal and get her to the ASLC for critical veterinary treatment. During her time in the ASLC Wildlife Response program as patient PV2314, veterinary ophthalmic specialists determined that Papita’s eye injuries had greatly impaired her vision and may have even caused blindness. In December 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designated Papita as non-releasable because she would not be able to survive if returned to her natural environment. This designation ensured that Papita could continue to receive specialized treatment under human care.

Papita quickly became a beloved part of the Seward community, with thousands tuning into ASLC’s blog and social media posts for updates on her progress. In the facility’s public seal habitat, she charmed guests with her curiosity and incredible resilience, using her vibrissae (whiskers) to reveal what her eyes could not. In late 2025, ASLC partnered with the Aquarium of Niagara to explore moving Papita to Niagara Falls to make space for other non-releasable rescued seals. The Aquarium of Niagara has a strong history in providing forever homes for seals with impaired vision, and the organization’s animal care specialists are well-versed in training and caring for animals with special needs.

“It's so important that rescued/non-releasable animals like Papita have a home where they can thrive with their unique needs, not in spite of them,” said Chad Fifer, president & CEO, Aquarium of Niagara. “That is why we are thrilled to welcome Papita into our newly improved seal exhibit. Her transformation from a stranded pup with life-changing injuries into a curious and charismatic ambassador for her species demonstrates her incredible resiliency. We’re grateful to the Alaska SeaLife Center for entrusting us with her care, and we can’t wait for our community to fall in love with Papita the way that Seward did.”

“Papita’s rescue and rehabilitation journey reflects what is possible when experienced teams and partners work together through every stage of an animal’s care,” said Tuula Hollmen, Vice President of Life Sciences at the Alaska SeaLife Center. “Our goal for every patient entering rehabilitation is to release them back to the ocean. When release is no longer an option, our responsibility becomes finding a home with best care for the individual. From the local responders who first helped Papita in Seldovia to the veterinarians and animal care professionals who supported her recovery in Alaska, and now to her new home at the Aquarium of Niagara, every decision has centered on understanding her unique needs and supporting her wellbeing. We are grateful to continue her story with a partner whose expertise caring for visually impaired seals will support her wellbeing while inspiring even more people to care about Alaska’s marine life.”

Papita joins male harbor seals Stryker and Lumiere in the Aquarium’s newly renovated outdoor seal habitat, Rescue Harbor, presented by Cornerstone CFCU. Generously supported by the New York State’s Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquaria Capital Grant Program and the Grigg Lewis Foundation, the nearly $400,000 project made significant improvements to the 40-year-old exhibit, which has housed generations of rescued and non-releasable seals in need of forever homes. Project scope included the removal and replacement of the exhibit’s natural shale, which, while a beautiful representation of the geology of the Niagara Gorge, had deteriorated from four decades of exposure to the elements. It also added a ramp to facilitate safe transport of animals on and off exhibit and expanded beach space for the seals to comfortably haul out, participate in training sessions, and receive veterinary care.

“The renovated habitat provides our harbor seals with more opportunities to rest, explore, and interact with our trainers in ways that that directly support their health and wellbeing,” said Mindy Ussrey, director of zoological operations, Aquarium of Niagara. “In the expanded space, the seals have more room to participate in their own care and engage with guests in more meaningful ways during daily feeding presentations and public encounters.”

“NYS Parks is happy to welcome Papita to Niagara Falls and is grateful to Governor Hochul for allocating funding for her new home. The work the Aquarium does to provide second chances to sea life is remarkable and NYS Parks is honored to play a small role,” said Mark Mistretta, Niagara Region director, New York State Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation.

“The Aquarium of Niagara is a place where people of all ages can learn, connect with wildlife, and better understand the importance of protecting our environment,” said Chris Smith, executive director, Grigg Lewis Foundation. “Through its Rescue Harbor, the Aquarium gives injured and vulnerable marine animals a chance to heal while inspiring compassion and conservation in everyone who visits. We're excited to welcome Papita and celebrate the excitement she brings to our community.”

As a free exhibit that is open to the public during the Aquarium’s operating hours, Rescue Harbor, presented by Cornerstone CFCU serves as an accessible entry point for those hoping to learn about aquatic life, engage with charismatic animal ambassadors, and observe feeding and training sessions. It’s also a location that sparks pride among Niagara Falls residents, who often stop by to say hello to their flippered friends.

“The Aquarium of Niagara’s harbor seals Stryker, Lumiere, and now Papita represent what Niagara Falls prides itself on, a community where no matter where you are from or what your background is, you will be welcomed with open arms to the City of Niagara Falls,” said Robert Restaino, Mayor, City of Niagara Falls. “We are proud to be the home of one of the region’s protective safe havens for aquatic wildlife which adds to the suite of tourism attractions that our residents and visitors can enjoy year-round.”

Visitors are encouraged to come and see Papita and engage with the updated exhibit, which shares the stories of its non-releasable residents and offers engaging interpretive content related to harbor seals and marine mammal response and rescue efforts. There are daily seal presentations at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

About the Aquarium of Niagara

The Aquarium of Niagara is a nonprofit organization and public aquarium located in Niagara Falls, NY. As the only aquatic museum in the region, the Aquarium of Niagara serves the community as a nexus for explorative learning by celebrating natural wonders and inspiring people to make a difference for aquatic life. Its campus is comprised of two distinct buildings housing 180 different species, including several that were rescued and deemed unable to return to the wild. The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine Mammal Trainer’s Association. For more information visit aquariumofniagara.org.

About ASLC

Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit research institution and public aquarium in Seward, Alaska. The Center generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, an organization that sets rigorous standards for animal care, conservation, education, and veterinary excellence. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

About New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call (518) 474-0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

About the Grigg Lewis Foundation

The Grigg Lewis Foundation is a private charitable foundation dedicated to strengthening Eastern Niagara County communities and throughout Niagara County by investing in projects and organizations that create lasting, measurable impact. Through strategic grantmaking and community partnerships, the Foundation supports initiatives in education, youth development, health and human services, arts and culture, historic preservation, civic improvement, and environmental stewardship. The Foundation is committed to philanthropy that builds local community, encourages collaboration, and enhances the quality of life for current and future generations in eastern Niagara County.