Today is Flaherty the Northern fur seal's first birthday! On this special occasion, Aquarium CFO Walter Flaherty fed his namesake a birthday feast while visitors surprised the little seal with a round of happy birthday. Watch and listen to this special moment.



You can tell that Flaherty the seal is very comfortable around Walter. That's because they have a date every month! Walter visits the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center to help feed the little (but growing quickly!) seal. Flaherty usually eats a yummy assortment of herring and silver sides. It just doesn't usually come out of a festive birthday gift bag.

Happy birthday, Flaherty!

Let's take a walk down memory lane to see how little Flaherty has grown up.

• The oh-so-adorable birth announcement
• Some of the first video of the little seal with his mom Ursula while the pair was behind the scenes
• Ursula was protective of her pup when he was introduced to the exhibit.
• Flaherty's best bud is Leu. These two definitely know how to play rough and tumble. (Just check out the examples here, here and here. Oh, boys!)
• Wee Flaherty was no match for some of this winter's snow drifts
• Flaherty's not the only one with a summer birthday! Here's how the harbor seals celebrate.

Visiting the fur seals, sea lions and harbor seals at the Aquarium has never been easier! Choose the day and time you wish to visit with timed ticketing.