“AI Overview
That famous resident was Hoover, a harbor seal (not a sea lion) known for his thick New England accent, who lived at the New England Aquarium from the 1970s to 1985.
Rescued as a pup in Maine, he mimicked his owner’s phrases, often shouting “Hello there!” or “Get over here!” to visitors.
This video explains how Hoover the talking seal was found and his unique ability to mimic human speech:00:56Hoover the Talking Seal: A Unique Talentmndiaye_97TikTok• Jan 24, 2022The Story: Hoover was raised by George Swallow in Maine, who talked to the seal, leading to his uncanny ability to mimic human speech, which was later studied by researchers.
The Legacy: After passing away in 1985, his legacy continued through his grandson, Chacoda, who also learned to produce sounds resembling human words at the same aquarium.
Today: The aquarium still houses Atlantic harbor seals in the same outdoor exhibit, and visitors can watch daily training sessions.”