Elvis is a seal of many names–the most common being “Elvis, the Seal with the Red Eye.”
The second most common is Terminator.
Those nicknames, however, have left the building.
Harbor seals are prone to eye health issues as they age; in 2017, at 24 years old, Elvis developed cataracts and lost vision in his left eye, giving it a distinct red color. Since then, his caretakers have monitored him closely, providing medication and watching for any signs of discomfort.
Recently, Elvis’s ophthalmologist and veterinary care team decided it was best to remove the eye, as its condition had worsened and posed a risk of pain and infection. Harbor seals are capable of navigating with partial or full vision loss by relying on other senses, as well as their sensitive whiskers.
The procedure went smoothly; since Elvis’s right eye has a history of ulcers, the ophthalmologist also placed a cyclosporine implant, so it can receive constant medication.
It takes a passionate team to care for a harbor seal after an operation. Following the procedure, Elvis spent a week on land while Aquarium mammalogists watched him round-the-clock, providing food, medicine, and words of encouragement.
Now,
Elvis is back in the water behind-the-scenes, where he continues to get plenty
of TLC as he recovers.
