Popeye (seal) facts for kids

Popeye was a special female harbor seal who lived near Friday Harbor in Washington state. She was often seen swimming around the marina there from the mid-1990s until the late 2010s. In 2005, the Port of Friday Harbor even made her their official town seal!

Popeye's Story

Popeye began visiting the Friday Harbor marina often around 1995. She quickly became a very famous local animal. People called her "Popeye" because her left eye had a cloudy white spot.

In 2005, the Port of Friday Harbor officially named her their special seal. They also asked an artist to create a statue of her. This statue, made of granite, is still in Fairweather Park, right next to the marina.

An Unusual Moment

On August 1, 2017, Popeye got a lot of attention from the news. She had an unusual moment where she nipped a visitor. This was reported as the only time a harbor seal had ever done this to a human.

Todd Nicholson, who was in charge of the Port of Friday Harbor at the time, explained what might have happened. He thought Popeye might have been frustrated because visitors were not giving her food as much as before. It is important to remember that feeding wild animals is against the law in Washington state. This rule helps keep both animals and people safe.

Where Did Popeye Go?

Popeye has not been seen since the late 2010s. Female harbor seals usually live to be about 25 to 35 years old. So, it is likely that Popeye passed away naturally due to her age. She was a beloved part of the Friday Harbor community for many years.

Images for kids

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  Popeye in 2005

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  Statue of Popeye in Fairweather Park, Friday Harbor