Last year may have been something of an “annus horribilis,” but much-loved St Andrews seal Laurel is now looking to the future with renewed optimism.
It was anything but comedy in 2010 when Laurel’s other half Hardy went missing during stormy weather. However, as Laurel celebrated her 20th birthday this week she had much to enjoy not least her present of one of the UK’s largest saltwater seal pools.
A resident of the St Andrews Aquarium, she was left devastated when her beloved partner Hardy was washed out to sea amid 20ft swells in April last year.
Hopes had been high that the 18-year-old would come back to the area once calmer weather returned but there have never been any confirmed sightings.
Although his enclosure was normally well out of the danger zone, a combination of exceptionally high tides and gales brought disaster.
Laurel has adjusted to life as a single girl and had a whale of her time on her 20th birthday on Monday.
Aquarium manager John Mace said, “We are delighted that we are able to continue to develop our seal enclosure, giving Laurel even more space to roam and play.
“The natural saltwater pool is essential to Laurel’s general wellbeing and we use Fife’s finest natural seawater for her to swim in.”