MEET OUR SEALS
The training and feeding of the seals is one of Polaria's most popular attractions. The training sessions are important to stimulate the seals both physically and mentally, and to ensure their well-being. The animals are very playful and in our underwater tunnel you can study their graceful movements through the water.
Here at polaria you will find two different seal species. The Bearded Seals Bella, Mai San and Vlad are a purely Arctic species. Bella and Mai San came to us from Svalbard in 2003, while Vlad arrived from the Océanopolis aquarium in France in 2024. They are joined by the Harbour Seals Loffen and Lyra who were born in the Lofoten Aquarium in 2010, and their son Leo who was born here at Polaria in 2023.
To give Vlad a little extra peace and quiet while he gets used to his new life here at Polaria, we have moved our three Harbour Seals, Leo, Loffen and Lyra, to another pool that is unavailable to the public. So only the three Bearded Seals Bella, Mai San and Vlad can be seen at Polaria right now. They are fed and trained every day at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:30.
At Polaria we train our seals during the feeding sessions. Having an active life is important for our marine mammals. Therefore, we spend a lot of time training and playing with our seals. Our main intention with the training is to stimulate the animals both mentally and physically, as well as to practice the seals in so-called veterinary exercises that enable examinations on whether the animals are healthy and in good shape.
When training the animals we use a method called positive reinforcement. This means that we reward the seals with fish and praise when they perform the behaviors correctly and ignore them for a few seconds if they make mistakes.
Now you too can become a sponsor for the seals! Read more about self-sponsorship further down the page.
About our seals
Bella
Bella is Polaria's diva, and was born in May 2003 at Spitsbergen. She likes new challenges and can be very energetic, but at the same time determined and shows clearly when she is bored during the training sessions. You recognize her on the big mustaches and the gray-brown fur with a big light spot in the middle of her back. Bella belongs to the species Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus).
Mai San
Like Bella, Mai San was born at Spitsbergen in May 2003, but she is far more patient than Bella. She is dutiful, but sometimes gets a little confused during the training sessions. That's why she's been nicknamed "Oisann" ("Oopsie"). Mai San is also a Bearded Seal and is characterized by large moustaches, pink rings around the eyes, white areas around her mouth and gray fur.
Vlad
Vlad is the only male Bearded Seal at Polaria. He is originally from Vladivostok in Russia, and was named after the city, but he has lived most of his life in the Océanopolis aquarium in Brest, France. He moved to Polaria in the fall of 2024, and now lives with Bella and Mai San.
Leo
Leo was born on July 19, 2023 and is the first seal pup born on Polaria! Lyra and Loffen are his proud parents, and he was born just one day after Loffen's birthday. Leo is fearless, curious and loves to play with guests through the aquarium glasses. His favorite toys are a surfboard and a lifebuoy, and he enjoys chasing water jets! Leo has started training and is very motivated and eager to learn.
Lyra
Lyra is Polaria's charmer and impossible not to love. Although she is far smaller than her two "aunts," she makes the biggest splashes when she jumps. Lyra was born on 10 July 2010 at Lofoten Aquarium in Kabelvåg. You recognize her in a bright, star-shaped pattern behind each ear. Lyra belongs to the species Harbour Seal (Phocavitulina).
Loffen
Loffen is also a Harbour Seal, and was born just one week after Lyra in the Lofoten Aquarium in Kabelvåg. He is trusting and confident, and very curious about his surroundings. Loffen loves training and learns new exercises quickly. Loffen is characterized by lots of bright dots all over his body, and that he is slightly larger than Lyra.Become a Seal Sponsor
As a Seal Sponsor, you make their everyday life more educational and fun.
Your contribution as a Seal Sponsor goes directly to toys and activities for your seal. The sponsorship money is used to buy toys and larger elements in the pool that all the seals find fun. For example, new tunnels, stones on the bottom or artificial seaweed forests they can hide in. We've also bought an ice cube machine with the sponsorship money, which has become a favorite of the Bearded Seals!
As a Seal Sponsor, you get:
- A meeting with the seal you sponsor
- Two free entry tickets to Polaria so you can bring a friend when you visit us, or visit us twice
- A tour of our backroom
- Diploma as proof of your sponsorship
- A souvenir photo of your seal
- Welcome video by email
- 10% discount in the gift shop as long as you are a Seal Sponsor
The sponsorship is valid for one year.
