Andre the Seal explained

André the Seal (May 16, 1961 – July 19, 1986)[1] was a male harbor seal pup found off the island of Robinson's Rock in Penobscot Bay, Maine, United States.[2]

Life

The seal was adopted by Harry Goodridge, who was then a tree surgeon and the Harbormaster of Rockport, Maine.[3] Harry raised the pup, hoping the seal would become his scuba diving companion, and expecting that the seal would eventually return to the wild when given the opportunity. Instead, André chose to stay with Harry in Rockport until his death in 1986.

Depictions in media and art

The multi-faceted story that developed over the course of their 25-year bond has been well-documented in hundreds of news articles, several books,[4] a 1994 feature film released by Paramount Pictures, and a PBS documentary.[5]

André's fame and popularity even resulted in a memorial statue by Jane Wasey being built in his honour in Rockport, Maine harbour in 1978. In 2018, the limestone statue underwent a $14,000 restoration of the face,[6] which had sustained numerous cracks. Legacy Rockport, a nonprofit, allocated $6,000 for the cause. The remaining funds came from private donors, including $2,500 from a local garden club. [7]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Andre the Seal Dies in Maine; Delighted Tourists for Years. AP. The New York Times . 21 July 1986 . 2018-07-03. en.
  2. Web site: 25 Years with Andre the Seal Yankee Magazine Classic. newengland.com. en-US. 2018-07-03.
  3. Web site: Andre the Seal Penobscot Bay History Online. www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org. en. 2018-07-03. 2023-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20230120012222/https://www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org/pbho-1/collection/andre-seal. dead.
  4. Book: Goodridge . Harry . Dietz . Lew . A seal called Andre . Praeger . 14 September 2014 . 978-0-275-22000-6 . 1975.
  5. News: Curtis . Abigail . PBS documentary on Andre the Seal has host family reminiscing about special bond . September 14, 2014 . Bangor Daily News . August 05, 2014.
  6. Web site: Maine Town Rallies To Save Statue Of Beloved Andre The Seal. MainePublic.org. 11 June 2018 . en. 2023-04-14.
  7. Web site: Andre the Seal Statue, Rockport, Maine. RoadsideAmerica.com. en. 2018-07-03.