André the Seal: The Harbor Seal Who Kept Swimming Home

André the seal was a harbor seal who became the most famous resident of Rockport, Maine. For years he spent winters at aquariums and was released off Massachusetts in spring. And again and again, André swam back up the coast to the man who raised him.

A Pup Alone in Penobscot Bay

In 1961, Harry Goodridge found a harbor seal pup alone in Penobscot Bay, only a few days old. Harry took him home to Rockport and raised him. He hoped the seal might become a diving companion and expected him to return to the wild one day. André had other plans.

A Total Show-Off

André turned out to be a natural performer. By 1964 he could do more than 50 tricks, including shaking hands, ringing a bell and jumping through a tire. That summer, more than 7,500 people came to watch him perform in the harbor.

How Far Did André the Seal Swim?

Winters were hard on a harbor seal in Rockport, so André spent several winters at the New England Aquarium in Boston and at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Harry thought he got homesick. Once, he stopped eating.

In spring, André was released into the ocean off Massachusetts. Then he swam home: about 150 miles or more up the coast to Rockport, sometimes in just a few days. The trips varied from year to year, but the destination never did. In 1985, the Washington Post reported his return under the headline "He's Home: Andre Does It Again."

Rockport's Honorary Harbormaster

Rockport made André its honorary harbormaster. In 1978, a statue of him by sculptor Jane Wasey was placed in the harbor: a limestone seal on a granite base. It still watches over the water today, and it was restored in 2018 after its face cracked. Harry and André were together for about 25 years, and their story later became the 1994 movie Andre.

André's story is a historical one. Wild harbor seals are protected in the United States, and NOAA asks people to stay at least 50 yards away from seals on the shore.

Watch the Episode

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the André the seal movie a true story?

Yes, the 1994 movie Andre is based on the real harbor seal raised by Harry Goodridge in Rockport, Maine, though the film changes some details for drama.

Where is the André the seal statue?

The statue stands at the harbor in Rockport, Maine. It was made by Jane Wasey, placed in 1978, and restored in 2018.

How long did André the seal live?

André was born in 1961 and died in 1986, so he lived about 25 years, nearly all of them alongside Harry Goodridge.

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Sources

• Yankee Magazine: Andre the Seal, 25 Years with Andre: Harry Goodridge's account of the releases, the swims home and the aquarium winters
• Bangor Daily News: The unending legacy of Andre the seal: the tricks and the 1964 crowds
• Washington Post (1985): He's Home: Andre Does It Again: a contemporary report of a return trip
• Wikipedia: André the Seal: dates, the statue and its 2018 restoration, the 1994 film
• NOAA Fisheries: Harbor Seal: species background and viewing guidelines

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Cover photo: Paul VanDerWerf via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.