New Haven Seal Chappy Bobblehead with a Cause Unveiled

MILWAUKEE – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first bobblehead of the New Haven Seal, the roughly 5-week-old pup who mysteriously appeared galumphing – the technical term for how seals move on land — the streets of New Haven, Connecticut, during Valentine’s Day weekend. Found on Chapel Street, the seal has affectionately been named “Chappy.” The bobblehead is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. Ten percent of the proceeds from every Chappy bobblehead sold will go to the Mystic Aquarium, which is caring for Chappy.

Laying on a rectangular, street-like textured that has “New Haven” on one side of the base and “Chappy” on the other side, the New Haven Seal bobblehead features his inquisitive eyes as he is looking for his next adventure in The Elm City. The bobbleheads, which will be individually numbered, are available exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. Expected to ship in August, the bobbleheads are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Over Valentine’s Day weekend, a lost baby seal was found wandering the streets of New Haven, Connecticut – a city famously known as “The Pizza Capital of the United States.” While the seal was far from his natural habitat, he was only several blocks away from some of the most famous pizza spots in the city. “We assumed he was here to try the clam pizza, but I can’t confirm that,” New Haven police officer Christian Bruckhart told USA Today. “We’re just happy he’s safe.” The gray pup, estimated to be only a few weeks old, was transferred to the Mystic Aquarium, a marine aquarium about 55 miles east of downtown New Haven, for rehabilitation. The underweight seal was expected to be returned to the ocean once he reaches a healthy weight in the coming months.

WTNH reported that it wasn’t the first time the curious seal was spotted in the city. Mystic Aquarium animal rescue technician Francesca Battaglia said the seal was seen in Branford, a shoreline town just southeast of New Haven, the previous week. And the day before he was rescued, he was discovered next to Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill on the waterfront in New Haven, which is situated on the coast of the Long Island Sound, where seals are often spotted. According to a Mystic Aquarium press release, when he was admitted, the veterinary team at the aquarium’s clinic found that the seal was lethargic and dehydrated. He weighed just 28 pounds, less than the 35 pounds newborn gray seals typically weigh.

“We’re excited to unveil the first bobblehead featuring the now-famous New Haven Seal,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “While New Haven is known more for its fabulous pizza, it was a lost baby seal who made the headlines recently. This bobblehead will be the perfect way for fans of ‘Chappy’ to show off their love and support for New Haven’s famous visitor!”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1^st. St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1^st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.