Laurel the seal, one of the most popular attractions at St Andrews Aquarium, died on Wednesday morning.
Laurel was the Aquarium’s very first Harbour Seal and was a favourite at the popular Fife visitor attraction for over 20 years.
Staff at the aquarium now intend to put up a plaque in her memory on the enclosure where she lived.
Laurel came to St Andrews after being found as an abandoned seal pup near Oban in 1991.
She first hit the headlines when her fellow seal Hardy was swept out to sea following a horrific storm that in 2010.
She then lived alone in her extensive salt water seapool for almost 18 months before bosses at the aquarium managed to source her a playmate, Togo, from Denmark.
On Togo’s arrival, both seals were quarantined in separate adjoining pools but tenacious Laurel became an internet sensation when shemanaged to scale a four foot fence to introduce herself to her new playmate.
He escape was captured on CCTV and has clocked up over 11,000 views since it was released online.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AOBPtQo8cQI%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D0
John Mace, manager of St Andrews Aquarium, said: “Laurel was a true character and she packed a lot into her eventful life.
“Her tenacity, energy and ability to generate joy is something we will all miss here at the aquarium.
“We are desperately sad, but her memory will live on through the many, many stories the team here at the Aquarium can tell visitors about the adventures she had.”
Laurel was one of four resident seals in the aquarium.