Blue, a 21-year-old harbor seal, is believed to have contracted the virus through contact with a wild bird, zoo officials said.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A seal at a Massachusetts zoo died this month after contracting bird flu. Blue, the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s beloved 21-year-old harbor seal, died due to complications from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or bird flu , officials at the New Bedford zoo said Wednesday.