Popeye (seal) facts for kids

Popeye was a famous female harbor seal who lived in the marina of Friday Harbor, Washington on San Juan Island for many years. She was seen there often from the mid-1990s until the late 2010s. In 2005, the Port of Friday Harbor officially named her their special "official seal."

About Popeye the Seal

Popeye started visiting the Friday Harbor marina around 1995. She quickly became a well-known local celebrity. Her name came from her left eye, which looked cloudy and white.

In 2005, the Port of Friday Harbor made Popeye their official seal. They even had a statue of her made from granite. This statue still stands in Fairweather Park, right next to the marina.

On August 1, 2017, Popeye got a lot of attention from the news. She bit a tourist who was visiting. This was reported as the only time a harbor seal had ever bitten a human. The director of the Port of Friday Harbor, Todd Nicholson, thought it happened because Popeye wasn't getting as much food from visitors as she used to. It's important to remember that feeding wild animals is against the law in Washington state.

Popeye has not been seen since the late 2010s. Female harbor seals usually live for about 25 to 35 years. So, it is believed that she passed away naturally due to her age.

Images for kids

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  Popeye in 2005

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  The statue of Popeye in Fairweather Park, Friday Harbor