18th Annual Wildlife Rescue Run benefits ASLC Wildlife Response Program
July 29, 2016

Seward, Alaska (July 28, 2016) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is hosting its 18th Annual 5K Wildlife Rescue Run & Walk on Saturday, August 6. The annual family-friendly race is a fundraiser to support the Center’s Wildlife Response Program. This has been another busy year for the Program, which has admitted four harbor seals, one spotted seal, four sea otters, and a spectacled eider to date.

The 5K race route follows a generally flat course along the scenic Seward waterfront and is open to walkers and runners of all levels. Race participants are invited to register online via the link found at www.alaskasealife.org. Race bibs will be available for pick up in the Alaska SeaLife Center atrium on August 6 between 10:00 am and 11:30 am. All participants will begin the race at 12:00 pm. The presentation of race awards and drawings for the door prizes and travel raffle will be held at 2:00 pm.

Race participants are eligible for an array of door prizes this year, for which they must be present at the drawing to win. Door prizes include:  

  • 2016 Lost Lake Run entry - Two ASLC Wildlife Rescue Racers will win entries for the upcoming Lost Lake Run to be held Aug. 27. Registration for this limited entry cross-country run is closed, so this is a special opportunity to enter. See www.lostlakerun.comfor more information about the race. (2 prizes drawn, $100 value each)
  • $50 gift certificate to Ms. Gene's Place, Seward's own Victorian Lounge in the Hotel Seward. (2 prizes drawn, $50 value each)
  •  Alaska SeaLife Center Family Membership - One year family membership includes free family admission, special programming and monthly educational members-only newsletters. (2 prizes drawn, $125 value each)
  • Choice of an Octopus, Puffin or Marine Mammal Encounter for 2 - Go behind the scenes with a member of the ASLC animal care staff to learn more about these amazing animals and participate in a feeding or enrichment session. (1 prize drawn, $149.90 value)
  • Otter Encounter Tour for 2 - Go behind the scenes with members of the ASLC animal care team to observe a sea otter feeding or enrichment session and learn more about these adorable animals. (1 prize drawn, $49.90 value)
  • Skinny Raven gift cards - Get outfitted for town or trail at Alaska's best resource for running shoes, casual shoes and apparel. (2 prizes drawn, $50 each value)

In addition, the raffle drawing for two unrestricted Alaska Airline tickets—valued at $2,500—will be held at the event. Tickets are available for $25 each or five for $100 at the ASLC ticketing counter until 2:00 pm August 6. Raffle ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

This year, supply donations for the Wildlife Response Program will be accepted at the Wildlife Rescue Run & Walk. New or gently used items utilized to support the rescue and rehabilitation of marine wildlife have been requested, and a container will be available at the race to collect donated items. The list of items being accepted is below.

New items needed:

  •  Atlas vinyl non-insulated orange gloves (all sizes)                
  • Whiteboard Expo markers (any size/color)
  • Cutting boards (heavy duty plastic only - any size)
  • Ziploc Big Bag (gallon size only)
  • Cut gloves by Kinco (all sizes)
  • Scrub brushes or scrub pads with handles
  • Unflavored Pedialyte
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (any brand) 
  • Heavy duty canvas duffel bag


New or gently used items needed:

  • Glass Pyrex measuring cups (1-2 cups)
  • Bath or beach towels
  • Traffic cones (12 – 36”)
  • Cake pans (used to make ice molds for enrichment - any size and shape)
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Pill crushers and cutters
  • Orange Pill bottles (labels removed and empty)
  • Rubbermaid containers (heavy duty, microwave safe)
  • Ziploc "Twist n Lock" (small or medium sizes)
  • Silverware

Premier Wildlife Rescue Run & Walk sponsors include Shell and ConocoPhillips. Other sponsors include Hub International; Nautilus Impact Investing; Seward Parks & Recreation Department; GCI; Alaska Serigraphics; Metco; Dr. Michael P. Moriarty, DDS; Skinny Raven Sports; Petro 49, Inc.; J & R Fisheries and Kruzof Fisheries, LLC; Seward Properties; Hotel Seward; and Edward Jones.

Pacific harbor seal pup PV1601 is one of many ASLC Wildlife Response Program success stories. Found stranded in April 2016, in Homer, Alaska, this male pup is the youngest seal to date to have been brought into the Program. Estimated to have been born a month premature, he arrived soon after birth and underweight. Under the expert care and close monitoring of ASLC staff, This pup transitioned to eating and catching live fish and gained the required weight, strength, and skills to be released back to the ocean in just over two months.


About the ASLC: Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center is a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. ASLC generates and shares scientific knowledge
to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 


The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine mammals or birds, and encourages people who have found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approaching the animal.  
Call first: 1-888-774-SEAL.

 

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