Enrichment training is central to the care of animals in captivity, allowing them to use natural behaviors and problem-solving abilities even in confined spaces. The practice reflects growing understanding that mental stimulation, not just physical space, determines wellbeing for captive wildlife.
In February 2026, Reggae, a 33-year-old Atlantic harbor seal at Boston’s New England Aquarium, became a social media sensation after videos emerged of him hugging, carrying, and gently manipulating rubber ducks in his tank. But for the aquarium’s trainers, the playful scene captured something more significant: a structured enrichment program designed to keep the aging seal mentally sharp and engaged.
“He can use his great vision to look around the habitat, find these new items, and he can also use his other senses to kind of explore,” said Rebekah Miller, the aquarium’s manager of the pinniped area. “It’s a great way to challenge our animals. We want to create challenges for them and really allow them to use those problem-solving skills that they have.”
The training sessions combined cognitive stimulation with relationship-building. Trainer Liz Wait stood at the edge of Reggae’s exhibit with a silver bucket of fish, using simple verbal cues to guide the seal through the routine. When Wait said “Target!”, Reggae swam over and nudged a designated duck with his nose. At “Hold it!”, he wrapped his flippers around a toy placed on his white belly. Rewards came quickly—small fish tossed by Wait after each completed action.
Miller described Reggae’s temperament as ideal for the work. “We describe his personality as very mellow,” she said. “He’s a very easygoing guy, he goes with the flow and he loves attention from people.” On recent mornings, Reggae sat on rocks cradling ducks under his flipper or hoisted his right flipper in a wave, drawing reactions from aquarium visitors watching from behind glass.
Why Enrichment Matters
The enrichment discipline reflects deeper understanding about animal care. Seals in the wild use complex problem-solving and sensory exploration daily—hunting, navigating tides, and managing social hierarchies. Captive seals in limited spaces risk losing the mental engagement that characterizes their wild lives. Structured training with objects like rubber ducks mimics that challenge.
A Legacy of Boston Harbor Seals
Reggae’s tenure at the aquarium spanned decades of the institution’s history with the species. The current seals in the 42,000-gallon outdoor exhibit on the front plaza were born at the aquarium to parents who were themselves longtime residents. Many traced their lineage to Hoover, a harbor seal born in 1971 who was raised by a Maine fisherman after losing his mother. Hoover later gained national attention for mimicking phrases such as “hello there” and “get out of here” in a gruff New England accent.
The longevity record reflected the benefits of sustained institutional care. While harbor seals in the wild typically live roughly 25 years, seals at the aquarium often surpassed that span. Several residents reached 30 and even 40 years old, a difference the institution attributed to veterinary care, structured training, and daily enrichment routines like Reggae’s duck sessions.
For the 13-year-old visitor who watched Reggae retrieve a duck near the glass during a recent morning: the moment was simple delight. “You never expect a seal to hug a rubber ducky,” said Tom Smith of Boston, visiting with his mother and younger brother during school vacation week.