One of Saint Andrews’ beloved seals is celebrating his 19th birthday. 

Snorkel, a harbour seal and the son of Loki, will have a cake made of fish and ice – alongside many people who wrote him cards and poems for the special day. 

He was born at Storybook Gardens in London, Ont. in 2006, according to Nicole Waaler with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre. 

“Snorkel is a bit of a scaredy-cat,” she said. “Some people might not realize that when they see him summer time, but he is very energetic when we’re feeding him, but otherwise he’s a little bit shy.” 

She said he has come out of his shell a bit more since meeting Tyler and Deanie, a father-daughter duo, who are harp seals. 

“In the winter time, he absolutely hates the snow,” she chuckled. 

Snorkel eats a regular diet of herring and mackerel, supplied by Connors Brothers, a fish-packing and processing company in Blacks Harbour, according to Waaler. 

A male harbour seal in captivity, according to Waaler, can live to be about 35 years old. 

Genny Simard, also with the Huntsman, said there was plenty of planning that went into his birthday festivities – and part of that is including Snorkel’s human visitors and friends – by providing cupcakes. 

Hundreds of cards lined the walls inside the aquarium, and one winner read their poem to Snorkel. Simard said she does think Snorkel knows how much he is loved by those who visit him. 

“He does see people, he does notice them,” she said. “Sometimes he’ll even play with them in the window.” 

She believe it is important to celebrate the milestones for the seals who call the Huntsman home. 

“I think it’s important because people care,” she said. “They care about Snorkel.”