VAMMR Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre Patient Directory

Truffles

Patient Record

Species: Harbour Seal

Patient ID: PV2505

Admitted on: 2025/06/17

Collection Site: Coal Harbour

Reason for Admission: Maternal separation

Weight at Admission: 6.8 kg

Patient Status: released

Time in Care: 103 days (3 months, 1 week, 4 days)

Transfer History

Received from: (Direct to MMR)

Mode of Transport: Staff

Release

Release Date: 2025/09/28

Release Site: Batchelor Bay

Release Weight: 23.95 kg

Story

Truffles was rescued from Coal Harbour after being found by employees at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. He was underweight and in poor condition, with no adult seals observed nearby. Still covered in his lanugo coat — a sign he was likely born prematurely — Truffles is now receiving dedicated care and close monitoring from our staff.

Named by Jasmine in honour of Justine

Honouring a close friendship that blossomed over a shared love of food and a guinea pig named Gimbap, the name Truffles was chosen to continue the tradition of food-themed pet names after Gimbap’s passing, while celebrating their friend’s favourite foods through this meaningful gift.

Patient Updates

Truffles was released after 103 days in our care.

You can see the list of all animals released at this release in the release record.

Truffles is shedding his lanugo coat and improving more and more every day!

Truffles is growing strong and growing strength each day. He currently loves his stuffed seal companion and likes to suckle on his own flippers.

Truffles has almost shed all of his lanugo now, just a small mohawk down his back that will be gone any day now!

Truffles has fully shed his lanugo and is now in a pool with our 2nd pup of the season - Pierogi!

Truffles is now learning how to eat fish!

Truffles is eating fish all on his own and now in a pool with Sinclair!

Truffles is has been moved to a pre-release pool and is working on gaining weight before his eventual release!

Truffles is gaining weight every day and prepping for release!

Guestbook for Truffles

  3. Hi Truffles! I hope you’re enjoying your fishy treats and getting lots of rest to grow up big and strong! Cheering you on every splash of the way 🦭🌊💙

  4. Let’s go Truffles!! We definitely need a picture of him and his stuffed seal!! <3

  5. Seal-iously, Truffles is too cute! Look at that little sea puppy! So happy they rescued this precious floof ! Sending all the flipper hugs! 🦭💞

If you would like to share a story about Truffles or leave any comments or well wishes, this is the place to do it.

Your email address is recorded to respond to your comment and to detect spam, but it will not be published, used for any other reason or given to any third parties.