Gray Seal with Military Training Dies at Age 38

Gunnar, a gray seal that used to be part and parcel of the US Navy, just recently passed away at the Smithsonian National Zoo, at the age of 38.

In its early years, Gunnar was taught by military officers to retrieve items from underwater, deal with army equipment, use screwdrivers and turn wheel valves.

This training was meant to allow those in the navy use animals such as dolphins, sea lions and seals to help them with their job.

However, because Gunnar and the other representatives of his species proved to have a bit of a temper when it came to following orders, they had to be dropped from the program.

Therefore, he spent his remainder years at the zoo, together with Selkie, another military seal.