The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Tuula Hollmen will be stepping into an expanded role that deepens our collaboration with UAF and more directly supports the future of our strategic plan. Starting May 12, 2025, Dr. Hollmen will serve as the VP of Life Sciences, overseeing Research, Veterinary Services, and Husbandry. She will retain her faculty designation at UAF.
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On January 27, 2025, the Executive Office of the President issued an executive order temporarily pausing agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs.
The Alaska SeaLife Center has been aware of the possibility of such a measure and has been proactively planning to address its potential impacts. We have already begun implementing steps to mitigate these effects and ensure the continuity of our critical programs and operations.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Brad Ryan as the Center’s first Executive Vice President/Deputy Director (EVP/DD). Brad’s dedication to community service extended to local government, where he served as Director of Public Facilities and later as Borough Manager. In these roles, he leveraged his scientific knowledge and leadership skills to enhance public services and infrastructure, making a direct impact on his community.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a juvenile northern sea otter to the Wildlife Response Program on the evening of November 16, 2024. The 11 kg male is estimated to be between 6 and 8 months old. The otter was first reported over a month ago with significant facial trauma and head swelling in the Seward small boat harbor.
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The rare rescued Pacific walrus calf admitted to the ASLC wildlife response program in July of 2024 has found her long-term home and is now under the expert care of SeaWorld Orlando’s renowned animal care specialists. The calf, which was found orphaned and abandoned on the beaches of Utqiagvik, Alaska, has been named Ukiaq, which translates to “autumn” in the language of the Iñupiaq people who live in the area of northern Alaska where she was first found. Ukiaq – or Uki (pronounced “oo-kee”) as she is affectionately being called – brings the Alaskan spirit with her to Orlando, honoring the rich culture and traditions of the Alaskan Native peoples.
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Five organizations from around the United States have come together to provide care to an orphaned Pacific walrus calf receiving rehabilitative care at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) in Seward, Alaska, in hopes of giving her a second chance at life. The ASLC is leading the heartfelt and intensive effort to care for the rare orphaned Pacific walrus calf that arrived from Utqiagvik, Alaska, on July 22, 2024.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center is caring for a female Pacific walrus calf that arrived from Utqiagvik on July 22, 2024. Walruses are rare patients for the Wildlife Response Department, with only eleven total and just one other female since the ASLC opened in 1998.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) Wildlife Response Program now has six harbor seal pups under its care after the admission of two new patients — a male from Naknek admitted on June 17, and a female from Wrangell admitted on June 22.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a newborn harbor seal pup to the Wildlife Response Program on June 4, 2024. The abandoned pup was rescued from Kenai Beach.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center’s (ASLC) Wildlife Response Program now has three harbor seal pups under its care after the admit of two new patients — one female from Kachemak Bay on May 20, and another female from the Copper River Delta on May 27.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center Wildlife Response Program has admitted two premature harbor seal pups from Kenai, Alaska. Despite incredible efforts, one pup has passed away and the other is in serious condition.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Wei Ying Wong has accepted the role of President and CEO. Dr. Wong is an experienced executive with a passion for marine science.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a male northern sea otter pup to the Wildlife Response Program on October 31, 2023, the third pup rescued this year. The approximately three-week-old pup arrived late Halloween night after a long transport from the remote coastal town of Seldovia, AK, and is currently under 24-hour care by wildlife response staff.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center Board of Directors announced today that Dr. Tara Riemer is stepping down after 20 years of service with the Center, the last 11 years as President and CEO.
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The ASLC has admitted a second northern sea otter pup into the wildlife response program. The pup was orphaned following an orca attack incidentally witnessed by ASLC laboratory technician and wildlife response team member Natalie Hunter.
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On September 17, 2023, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), Chugach Regional Resources Commission’s (CRRC) Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Seward Marine Center, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration will host the 2023 Seward Marine Science Symposium. This free event, 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. AKDT, will be held at the university’s K.M. Rae Marine Education Building, 125 Third Avenue, Seward, Alaska.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a female northern sea otter pup to the Wildlife Response Program on September 4, 2023. This pup joins an extensive roster of 2023 patients cared for by the ASLC, including ten harbor seals, a fur seal, a walrus calf, and more.
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Since his arrival, the walrus calf had been struggling with a number of serious health concerns on top of nutrient malabsorption, which can make treatment difficult to stay ahead of. Dr. Carrie, ASLC Director of Animal Health, explains that the calf was struggling with multiple complications, including hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal problems, in the 24 hours leading up to his passing.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center is caring for a male Pacific walrus calf that arrived from the North Slope of Alaska on August 1, 2023. This is the Center’s first walrus patient in four years, and one of only ten admitted in the Center’s 25-year history, making this an exceptional case for the Wildlife Response Program and a rare opportunity for all involved.
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The Alaska SeaLife Center is proud to announce that Neisha Jones has been chosen to become the Center’s first Director of People and Culture. In this newly created executive leadership position, Jones will serve as the organizational lead for all human resources and diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) functions. Jones is a certified professional in human resources and a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) practitioner with over 10 years of experience practicing human resources in the public, non-profit, and education industries. Jones’ extensive work with national organizations is a major asset in ASLC’s DEAI efforts and advancement of organizational environmental initiatives within Alaska and beyond.
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The ASLC is excited to announce the appointment of John Fraser, Ph.D., AIA as the organization’s new Director of Mission Impact beginning on July 17, 2023. Dr. Fraser is a noted international conservation psychologist and architect, known in the zoo and aquarium community for leading research on the social value of zoos and aquariums. Fraser was a founder of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Research and Technology Committee and has continued service on that committee for the past 15 years.
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June 14, 2023 - Over a nine-day period in early June, five harbor seal pups were admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s (ASLC) Wildlife Response Program. With these new patients joining four from late May, nine harbor seal pups are now under ASLC care.
Three newborns arrived in quick succession — a male from Pilot Point on June 2, a female from Homer on June 3, and a male from Kenai on June 4. The fourth and fifth pups — a male from Homer and a female from Nikiski — were admitted on June 8 and 10, respectively. All five seals were reported to the ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325).
Upon discovery, each of the five pups was dehydrated, underweight, and had umbilical cords still attached, pointing to abandonment or separation shortly after birth. Newborn seal pups cannot survive long without maternal care, and in each of the five cases, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved rescue after determining the seals were unlikely to survive without intervention. With help and coordination from members of the public, ASLC volunteers, and NOAA officials, all five pups arrived safely at the Alaska Sealife Center for care.
Stabilizing treatments are currently being administered by wildlife response and veterinary staff, and the pups will remain under close watch to further understand the severity of their conditions. More information will follow after further monitoring and examination.
The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, Partners 4 Wildlife, Matson, GCI, and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as Stanley J. Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.
May 31, 2023 – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a harbor seal pup to the Wildlife Response Program on May 28, 2023. This is the fourth harbor seal pup admitted to the Wildlife Response Program in the past week.
The newborn female was observed on a crowded fishing beach for several hours, with no adult seals seen in the area. Concerned people fishing nearby called the ASLC 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325), and after receiving NOAA approval, the animal was transported to the Center.
Upon admit, the seal was estimated to be less than two days old. The main concerns found by the ASLC veterinary team during the admit exam were dehydration and its young age. The team is currently providing stabilizing treatments and monitoring her closely. The ASLC will continue to share updates on current patients on their social media pages and the Wildlife Response Rescue and Rehab Journal on the ASLC website.
The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, Partners 4 Wildlife, Matson, GCI, and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as Stanley J Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.
Call first! Before approaching an injured or stranded marine animal in Alaska, call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL(7325).
May 26, 2023 – Over the last week, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted three harbor seal pups to the Wildlife Response Program from the Copper River area. A female harbor seal pup was admitted on Sunday, May 21, 2023, and a male and female were admitted two days later on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
All three pups were reported to the ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325) by separate callers. They were all spotted in different locations along the Copper River by different fishing boats, with no adult seals seen in the area. Newborn harbor seal pups cannot survive on their own so NOAA approved ASLC to respond to the three pups.
The Alaska State Wildlife Troopers were essential in transporting all three pups from the fishing boats to the Cordova Airport to be flown to Anchorage. Once the pups arrived in Anchorage, NOAA staff transported the pups to meet the ASLC Wildlife Response Team along the Seward Highway in Turnagain Pass. After transferring the patients to an ASLC response vehicle, they then completed their journey to the Alaska SeaLife Center for treatment.
The main concerns found by the ASLC veterinary team upon the initial admit exams for all three pups were malnourishment and dehydration. All three pups still had umbilical cords attached, signaling that all were less than a week old. The ASLC will continue to share updates on the patients’ status on their social media pages.
The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, Partners 4 Wildlife, Matson, GCI, and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as Stanley J Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.
Call first! Before approaching an injured or stranded marine animal in Alaska, call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL(7325).
Dr. John Maniscalco, Ph. D. — a lead scientist at the ASLC — recently published a peer-reviewed article in Global Ecology and Conservation that looks at how the Pacific marine heatwave could have affected the winter diets of the Endangered population of Steller sea lions in Alaska.
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