A very famous visitor finally got to meet her adorable namesake - a rescued harbour seal - at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Actress Jessica Biel, shared photos and video of her experience meeting "Jessica Seal."
Jessica Seal was rescued from Kits Beach on February 18, 2019 by the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre who found her emaciated and lethargic. The team assessed the then-one-year-old seal's condition and determined that she had been shot several weeks prior, as the wounds were already beginning to heal over the 23 pellets embedded in her face.
When she was taken in by the facility, Jessica Seal's vision was so compromised from the gunshot wounds she was likely unable to track fish and would not have survived in the wild.
"This is my new friend, Jessica Seal. She is currently thriving at @vanaqua, where she was thankfully given another chance at life," writes Biel on her social media, where she shared touching images of her meeting the rescued seal.
"I was lucky enough to meet her and explore the wonderful place she now gets to call home. Thank you @vanaqua for this experience and all the work you do — it’s not every day you get to meet an animal named after you!"
In the video, an Aquarium employee explains that Jessica Seal is the "mischievous" one of the bunch.
Biel has been in Vancouver with her family as husband Justin Timberlake kicked off his Forget Tomorrow World Tour here at Rogers Arena on Monday (April 29). He and his family had reportedly spent some time in Vancouver ahead of opening night as he prepped his show in town.
The Vancouver Aquarium gives its rescues playful names, often chosen by donors or the public and following a theme. They have an octopus named Ceph Rogen for Vancouver-born actor Seth Rogen.
When possible, they release rehabilitated rescues back into the wild. Last September, they released harbour seals Dorothy Island, Creme De La Creme, Eye Candy, and Piece of Cake at Porteau Cove after weeks of rehabilitation.
@jessbiel When Jessica Biel met Jessica Seal! 🤝🦭 This is my new friend, Jessica Seal. She is currently thriving at @Vancouver Aquarium ♬ original sound - Jessica Biel
With files from Elana Shepert
