animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('B', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('C', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         Pelagic animals live in the open seas, away from the coast or seafloor. The Pelagic Ecosystem team has the task of studying these predator and prey species in Prince William Sound. Despite the challenge, scientists have already managed to collect decades of data that focus on the interactions between whales, seabirds and their prey. This information is useful in answering questions such as: • What are the population trends of key open-ocean predators, such as orcas, tufted puffins, and humpback whales? • Are the numbers of forage fish, like herring, sand lance, and capelin, going up or down? • Is it possible to monitor forage fish population trends? • If it is possible to monitor them, what is the best way to do so? Forage fish have a big impact on marine ecosystems. They convert a huge amount of energy from lower trophic levels and this energy is transferred into food for larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. Forage fish have great numbers of offspring and short lifespans. These traits can cause major changes in their abundance from year to year. If the abundance of forage fish increases or decreases significantly, the predators that eat them will also experience shifts in their population numbers. Humpback whales are predators of herring. Many humpback whales migrate from Prince William Sound to Hawaii for the winter. Some humpback whales, however, stay in or near the Sound. During the winter, there is not much plankton for humpbacks to feed on, and fish like herring become a good alternative source of food for these whales. Watch the video below to see how the predators of the pelagic hunt their herring prey. VIDEO: Bait Ball Feast - BBC One In late summer, the plankton bloom is at its height and vast shoals of herring gather to feed on it. Diving birds round the fish up into a bait ball and then a humpback whale roars in to scoop up the entire ball of herring in one huge mouthful. From "Nature's Great Events: The Great Feast" by BBC. (1:14) Video Transcript The murres only attack from beneath, trapping the fish against the surface. But they push the herring within range of the gulls. It’s a feeding frenzy. The table is set for the mightiest predator of them all: the humpbacks have reached their feeding grounds. Scientists want to know the best way to estimate the numbers of specific fish species, such as herring. They get the data they need using a combination of aerial surveys, hydroacoustics, and various fish-capture techniques. Check out the video below to hear Mayumi Arimitsu explain some of these techniques. VIDEO: Forage Fish Studies Mayumi Arimitsu describes the methods scientists use to monitor forage fish populations. (0:55) Video Transcript We have observers in a plane that are looking at schools of fish in the ocean very close to the shoreline. We do a couple of things. One is use hydroacoustics from the boat, and with basically a scientific fish finder we’re able to quantify the biomass and density and depth distribution of these different forage fish. We also are trying to validate the aerial survey observations so we have a team in a skiff that are communicating with the pilot in the plane, and they are trying to catch what the observers in the plane are seeing. Scientists working on the humpback whale monitoring project are trying to understand if the whales are having an impact on the recovery of herring populations in Prince William Sound. An important part of this project is maintaining an up-to-date humpback “fluke identification catalog,” a kind of “Who’s Who?” in the Gulf of Alaska whale world. Watch the video below to learn about how scientists observe and photograph whales included in the fluke identification catalog. VIDEO: Tracking Humpback Whales John Moran describes how scientists are studying the importance of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem. (2:08) Video Transcript (Narrator) These small silver fish are Pacific herring, one of the many species being monitored by Gulf Watch Alaska. Scientists are monitoring their population for signs of recovery after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They are also interested in other potential factors that could be affecting their recovery. One of these potential factors may be humpback whales. (John Moran) We want to know if humpback whales are having an impact on the recovering herring population in Prince William Sound. Basically we want to know how many herring are whales eating, and is that important. So the first thing we need to do is figure out how many whales are there, so we use Photo ID. All the whales have unique patterns on their flukes. When the whale dives it shows the underside of its fluke, and we’ll take a picture of that and that can identify the individual whale. So basically we get on the boat and we go look for whales. That the base of our research is getting the fluke IDs. And from that you can get a lot more information out of it. We need to figure out what they’re eating, so we use the echo sounder on the boat, we’ll use nets and jigs, so we’ll see whatever prey is around the whale and try to catch that. Or if there’s any scales that slip out of their mouth, or any kind of sign of things on the surface, or fish jumping out of the whale’s mouth, we’ll try to document that. And we also use biopsies. We have a cross bow or a rifle that takes a little blubber plug out of the whale. So we approach the whale and get a little sample, and from that we can use stable isotopes or fatty acids to get at what the diet’s been from that whale. Humpbacks are kind of new players on the scene, they’re population was really low. In the late sixties & early seventies, there may have been 1,500-2,000 humpbacks in the North Pacific. And then there was this survey called the SPLASH survey that took place in 2006 that put the population at over 20,000. So that’s a huge increase. It impacts managers. If you’re managing a herring fishery and you have these humpbacks population weren’t really there 20, 30, 40 years ago, you’ve got to account for these new predators, how many herring are they taking, it’s all important to know if you’re trying to manage a fishery. We haven’t had them there, so how they impact the ecosystem is going to be new to us.       Who is watching the Gulf?   Biomass (n): the amount of living matter in a given habitat (i.e. the weight of organisms per unit area, or the volume of organisms per unit of habitat)   Forage fish (n): small schooling fishes that feed on plankton and are eaten by larger predators   Hydroacoustics (n): the study of sound in water   Pelagic (adj): the open sea, away from the coast or seafloor   Trophic level (n): the position of an organism or species in a food web or food chain    

animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('3', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('4', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() Who is watching walrus? BASELINE (n) - Information about what is "normal" or expected. This kind of information helps researchers measure change. DATA (n) - factual information             Action! Dr. Polasek decided that, because her research questions were complex, they would take many years to answer. Her first goals were to establish a baseline and test out their monitoring method. To accomplish these goals, in the first year of the project the team would only set up cameras at sites in Bristol Bay. Haulouts in Bristol Bay are "established". This means that walrus are known to haul out there every summer. The animals in Bristol Bay are males. Although male walrus do not depend on summer sea ice, their behavior at haulouts will give researchers the baseline they need to make comparisons with females and calves in the north. As Dr. Polasek explained in her research hypotheses, she hopes to find out whether walrus at new haulouts in the Chukchi Sea will react differently to disturbances than walrus at established haulouts in the southern parts of the Bering Sea. Installation took the research team on remote adventures as they installed cameras at five sites in Bristol Bay: Round Island (West Main) Round Island (First Beach) Cape Peirce Hagemeister Island Cape Seniavin The two videos below highlight the experiences of our scientists as they set up cameras for the 2011 summer season. VIDEO: Round Island Join our researchers as they head out to Round Island to place the first set of cameras. (3 minutes) Video Transcript How did you travel to Round Island? There was a lot of planning necessary before we could travel to Round Island. Round Island is very remote, and we had to make sure that we had all the equipment and materials that we would need to set up the cameras. If we forgot something, we wouldn’t be able to run back and get it. For our travel out there we had to schedule multiple flights and work with partners and other scientists to make travel plans. Once all the planning was done, we drove from Seward to Anchorage and then got on a small plane and flew from Anchorage to Togiak. We flew on the same plane that delivers groceries for the store. The town of Togiak is located at the head of Togiak Bay, which leads out into Bristol Bay. It lies in the Togiak Wildlife Refuge and is the gateway to the Walrus Island Game Sanctuary. Togiak is a small traditional Yup’ik Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle. We spent the night in Togiak in a U.S. Fish & Wildlife bunkhouse, and then took a helicopter to Round Island. The helicopter could fit the pilot, two people and our gear, but it was a tight squeeze. Some of our gear had to be tied to the outside of the helicopter so we could make it out in one trip. The helicopter was an amazing way to see Bristol Bay and Round Island. You can see the steep cliffs and rocky beaches of Round Island. These cliffs are one of the reasons that we picked Round Island to set the cameras up on, as they would give us a good vantage point over the walruses. You can also see the cabin where we would spend three nights while we were setting up the cameras. Once we had unloaded all of our gear and got set up in the cabin, it was time to get to work. We walked the length of the island, about two miles, to pick the best camera site that would allow us to capture the walruses on their haulout and the surrounding area. We then had to carry all the camera equipment to the site we chose. Some of the materials, like the car batteries and all the tools, were very heavy. The whole process took about twelve hours to set up one of the camera pairs. There are several haulouts on Round Island. We chose two sites to monitor: we put cameras at First Beach and West Main Beach.   VIDEO: Cape Seniavin Learn about the researchers’ next adventure: placing remote cameras on Cape Seniavin. (1.5 minutes) Video Transcript How did you travel to Cape Seniavin? Just like Round Island, we had to spend time planning and preparing for the trip to Cape Seniavin. This time we flew from Anchorage to a town called King Salmon. King Salmon is a small town of about 400 people on the western Alaska Peninsula. It’s located at the Naknek River about 15 miles from Bristol Bay. Instead of a helicopter we took a small fixed-wing plane from King Salmon to Cape Seniavin. We flew over King Salmon and the Naknek River. As we approach Cape Seniavin, you can see the steep sandy bluffs and the beaches below. Like the cliffs on Round Island, the bluffs provide a great vantage point to set up the cameras to view the walrus haulout. No one lives at Cape Seniavin, and there is no landing strip. We landed right on the beach, with the waves crashing next to us. It was beautiful, but it does give you an idea of how remote we were. This time we had to carry all the equipment up the steep bluff to the spot where we wanted to place the cameras. Then we picked a good site for installing the cameras and got to work. We only chose one site at Cape Seniavin. The whole process this time took about eight hours to set up the cameras. We were much faster the second time around. Once the cameras were up and we had tested them, it was time to leave. Just like at Round Island, the cameras will stay up all summer watching the walrus, and in the fall we will travel back and pick them up. Then next spring we get to do it all over again. With their cameras in place, data collection began! Since the scientists were trying to observe walrus disturbances, it was very important that they not disturb the walrus during the actual study. For this reason, they visited the Bristol Bay haulouts in early spring and late fall, when the walrus were not present. This meant many months of images were recorded! Watch the two videos below to learn about the camera timing systems and what the researchers hoped to capture on film. VIDEO: TAKING Pictures Jll Prewitt describes how often the cameras are taking pictures and how the researchers chose to take pictures at those times.  (1.5 minutes) Video Transcript How often are these cameras taking pictures? We’re going to end up with a lot of pictures, because we’re limited just by the camera card size, but we’re trying to take them as often as possible. In the early morning hours they’re just going to be taken once an hour from 6am to 10am, then at 10am they’re actually taking pictures once a minute. And then in the later evening hours they’re being taken – from 6pm to 10pm – once an hour again. And the reason why we wanted to take them once a minute during the majority of the time is to be able to actually detect a disturbance. So, if we were just taking them once an hour all day, we might just, you know, in one picture have 300 walrus, and then in the next picture have zero walrus and we don’t know why. But if we’re taking them once a minute we might be able to actually see a vessel go by, or a plane land, or something else happen and all of the herd disperse or abandon the haulout all at one time, so we wanted that fine scale, once a minute. So there will be thousands of pictures at the end of the summer. VIDEO: COLLECTING Data Jill Prewitt explains what information she’ll be collecting from the pictures. (1 minute) Video Transcript What data are you collecting from these pictures? So what we’re recording, what we’re looking at primarily, is presence or absence of walrus in the picture. If we see walrus, what we’re going to try to do is count them as much as possible. Then we’ll take a look closely at the herd and see if we can detect any juveniles, especially calves, in the pictures, so we can get kind of an idea of who’s using that haulout. And then disturbance of course is one of our biggest questions, so we’ll be looking at the behavior. Whenever there’s walrus in the picture we’ll be looking at them serially, looking at them one after another, to detect whether walrus are reacting to disturbances such as lifting their head, moving, shifting around, or completely abandoning the haulout, and what might be causing that. So what data did these cameras really capture? What did Dr. Polasek and her team learn? Click "Results" to find out!      

animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() Who is watching walrus? IMPACT (v) - to affect or change something else FORAGE (v) - to search for and collect food MIGRATE (of animal) (v)- to move seasonally from one area to another           Background Scientists know that when summer sea ice in the Arctic melts away from their shallow feeding grounds, Pacific walrus will haul out on land to stay near their food. The Icy Cape stampede showed scientists that land haulouts in the Chukchi Sea can be dangerous for young walrus. Scientists wonder how walrus populations will be impacted when the walrus have to use land haul outs more and more often. To understand how walrus populations might be affected by changes in their Arctic habitat, scientists first had to understand "normal" Pacific walrus behavior. Take a look at the videos and fact sheet below to explore what researchers already know about the mysterious Pacific walrus. VIDEO: The Pacific Walrus Understanding walruses' relationship with sea ice is important to understanding their behavior. (1 minute) Video Transcript Pacific walrus feed in relatively shallow water, hunting for small invertebrates on the ocean floor. In the Bering and Chukchi Seas, the continental shelf provides a vast area of shallow, rich feeding grounds for the walrus. Walrus haul out on sea ice or on land to rest between feeding trips. Although they are good swimmers, they don’t typically swim long distances, so they prefer to rest near where they eat. In the winter, arctic sea ice extends south into the Bering Sea, where large herds of male and female walrus spend the winter together. Then in the springtime, females and calves follow the melting sea ice north into the Chukchi Sea, while adult males separate from the rest of the population and migrate south to spend the summer in Bristol Bay. The male walruses in Bristol Bay typically haul out on land and feed near shore. In the Chukchi Sea, the females and calves spend their summer floating on the sea ice, drifting over the shallow continental shelf. In recent years, summer sea ice in the Arctic has melted beyond the edge of the continental shelf, leaving the females and calves without their traditional feeding and resting platforms.   WALRUS FACT SHEET (click to download .pdf) Female walrus and their calves use sea ice all year. They migrate to the Chukchi sea in summer because there is so much food available for them there. Watch the video below to hear Dr. Lori Polasek talk more about how females and calves may be affected if they can't haul out on sea ice and must move to areas on land, instead. VIDEO: Females and Calves Dr. Lori Polasek describes how females and calves might be impacted by hauling out on land instead of sea ice. (1.5 minutes) Video Transcript What are some of the possible impacts of females and calves hauling out on land instead of sea ice? There are several important facts about walrus that we had to understand before starting this project, and one of those is that land haulouts are primarily used by male walruses, of all ages, and ice is primarily used by females and calves. And the importance of ice, you can think of it as a mom and calf are floating around on a piece of ice and that keeps them moving across the water so it allows them to utilize different resources so they don’t impact a resource and completely deplenish [deplete] it. Also, by allowing them to float around, they’re not congregated together, where they’re more susceptible to predators, where then you allow the whole herd’s offspring to potentially be wiped out by a predator. It also takes your young, your offspring which are more susceptible to disease, and separates them from the population so that disease can’t spread as fast. So these new emerging haulouts with moms & calves packed together, then wipe out all of those protections of those calves by exposing them to disease as a group, by allowing them higher exposure to predators, and then by also having them together totally deplete resources in a localized area. Arctic sea ice extent is impacted by changes in seasonal and global climate. Walrus respond to changes in sea ice by migrating and adapting their behavior. Understanding how sea ice forms and why it melts can help scientists understand more specifically how walrus will be influenced. Check out the sea ice fact sheet below! SEA ICE FACT SHEET (click to download .pdf) This important background knowledge helped scientists from the Alaska SeaLife Center develop a research project studying walrus.      

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is saddened to share that Mist, a two-and-a-half-year-old Steller sea lion, unexpectedly passed away on January 23, 2023. The reason for her death is currently unclear. She appeared to experience seizure-like tremors and passed away within minutes of the episode. This is a heartbreaking loss for both the ASLC staff and the entire community.    The incident occurred January 23 while Mist and three other Steller sea lions were socializing in a new group setting. To mimic natural and social behaviors in the wild, Steller sea lion groupings change regularly at the ASLC, and staff always monitor animals in new situations closely. The introductions went well, and the animal care staff noted play and normal social behaviors throughout the morning.    Mist’s seizure-like tremors began suddenly and seemed unprompted. Due to the close monitoring protocol that day, an ASLC Mammalogist noticed the tremors as soon as they began and responded immediately. The other three Steller sea lions were shifted to another habitat so veterinary and animal care staff could tend to Mist safely. Though these staff arrived within minutes, Mist had unfortunately already become unresponsive.   A necropsy was performed the next day, but no immediate findings could explain the seizure-like tremors. Additional tissue samples were collected at the necropsy, and it could take several weeks for the samples to be processed and analyzed. Although ASLC staff are hoping for answers, the tests may never reveal the ultimate cause of her death.   Mist was born on June 26, 2020, to ASLC Steller sea lions Mara and Pilot. Mist was Mara’s first successful pup and the fifth successful Steller sea lion birth in the history of ASLC. Dr. Carrie Goertz, Director of Animal Health at the ASLC, recalls the special moments leading up to Mist’s birth in 2020, which  was featured on the second season of NatGeo WILD’s Alaska Animal Rescue.   “Waiting for Mist to be born is my most impactful memory of my time with her. It dominated my life in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. When she was born, it was such a joyous event in a crazy world and a crazy time,” said Goertz.    Many ASLC staff members watched Mist grow up, and she became an instant favorite for many guests visiting the ASLC.    “Mist was an animal who touched you immediately with her playful, clever, gregarious personality, and she was quickly a favorite for staff and guests alike. She was a bubbling force of energy and inquisitiveness with a nearly unrivaled level of potential, possessing a balance of intelligence, patience, and cleverness that was uniquely amazing to behold in one individual,” said Michelle Hanenburg, ASLC Mammal Curator.   Since the announcement of Mist’s passing, ASLC Staff members and Seward community members have offered moving tributes, memories, and condolences on a number of online platforms. ASLC Mammalogist Shelby Burman shared her own touching statement:   “I spend more time with these animals than my family, and losing one is unexplainable. I know every small child in the town of Seward will be saddened by this loss as well. To all the animal caregivers in this world, I see you and I feel you. This is the absolute worst part of this job."   The Alaska SeaLife Center is one of only three aquariums in North America that house Steller sea lions. Every Steller sea lion contributes to the understanding and knowledge base of their important species, making the loss of this two-and-a-half-year-old impactful for the entire population.    Update as of March 26, 2023: Unfortunately, a thorough necropsy did not lead to any concrete answers of what caused her seizure. A microscopic examination of Mist's tissues (known as a histopathology report) also did not reveal a cause. Not having a clear answer is incredibly hard for the ASLC staff. We will continue to explore possibilities with professional colleagues, but we may never know what caused her episode. We thank you all for your support over the past few weeks as we mourn the loss of an incredible animal.      About Steller Sea Lions Steller sea lions are the largest member of the eared seal family. The species ranges across the northern Pacific Ocean, from Japan through the Aleutian Islands and southeast Alaska to northern California. Divided into eastern and western regions, the western population is currently listed as endangered, while the eastern population was delisted in 2013 following notable recovery and significant conservation efforts.    

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.    The otter pup was found stranded on a road in Kenai, Alaska, over 5 miles up the Kenai River from the ocean. The original spotter believed the otter was a cat, but called the police when they discovered it was a young otter. Officials worked with the ASLC as the pup was moved away from the dangerous road, which was about half a mile away from the river.   The female pup was estimated to be around three months old, and her mother was not found in the vicinity. ASLC staff knew she needed help and received permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring her back to the ASLC for rehabilitation.  The main concerns found by the ASLC veterinary team upon the initial admit exam were dehydration and malnourishment. The pup’s blood glucose levels were low, and her feces indicated she had been stressed and had not eaten in a while. The team is currently providing stabilizing treatments and examining the patient further to understand the severity of her condition. Northern sea otter mothers invest a lot of maternal care into their pups and will not leave their pups unaccompanied except to dive for food. Mothers provide almost constant care until the pup weans between three to six months of age. When a sea otter pup is admitted as a patient to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program, it requires 24/7 care from our team.    “Young otter pups like this one need constant care and attention. At this age, they are transitioning from their pup coat to their adult coat and also being weaned. They need assistance grooming and monitoring their nutrition during this critical time. That is why sea otter pups require 24/7 care from ASLC staff until they are about six months of age,” said Wildlife Response Curator Jane Belovarac.  Follow the ASLC on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on this year’s rescue patients as the team works to nurse them back to health.  From September 10-16, 2023, ASLC will hold “Roundup for Wildlife Response,” an online fundraiser for the ASLC Wildlife Response Department. The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only institution in Alaska authorized to rehabilitate marine mammals. Followers can tune in for a special week filled with never-before-seen wildlife response stories on the ASLC social media pages from September 10-16, 2023. Every donation of $25 or more to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program during the “Roundup for Wildlife Response week will receive a limited edition Wildlife Response sticker in testament of their support.           

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has admitted its first live patient of the 2025 wildlife response season: a female northern sea otter pup rescued from a beach in Homer, Alaska. Estimated to be around two months old, the pup was found alone, lethargic, and malnourished. The report came through ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline, prompting a swift response from ASLC wildlife response volunteers Mike Coffing and Sarah Wilhelm. After assessing the pup and confirming her critical condition, the team relayed their findings to ASLC staff in Seward, who immediately contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to authorize her transport for urgent veterinary care.  Before the journey to Seward, the pup received initial triage and stabilizing care at Kachemak Bay Animal Hospital, thanks to the support of Dr. Zach Gardenfors, ASLC Wildlife Response Staff Member Christie Hill, and the hospital team. Their rapid response helped prepare her for the next phase of treatment. With time of the essence, volunteer Mike helped get the pup to the ASLC faster by meeting the transport team en route. “It was a super quick response by our Homer team that gave this little girl a chance,” said ASLC Husbandry Coordinator Deanna Trobaugh, who fielded the original call and helped coordinate the rescue. “It’s always a race against the clock with animals this young,” Trobaugh added. “Our team in Homer responded with urgency and compassion. Everything came together quickly to get her to the ASLC, where she could get the help she needed.” Upon arrival at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the veterinary team found the pup suffering from dehydration, malnourishment, and a suspected injury to one of her front paws. She is currently receiving 24/7 care, stabilizing treatments, and additional diagnostics to better understand the severity of her condition. "Sea otter pups like this one need round-the-clock care in their earliest months of life," said Jane Belovarac, Wildlife Response Curator at ASLC. “They rely on their mothers for everything from grooming to nutrition, and when a pup is orphaned, it’s up to our team to step in. We’re doing everything we can to give this pup the best possible start.” Those interested can follow the pup’s progress with behind-the-scenes rehab stories from the ASLC’s  Instagram and Facebook pages: @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter. As the 2025 rescue season begins, the ASLC Wildlife Response Program stands ready to care for Alaska’s most vulnerable marine animals. You can help make these rescues possible by supporting the team’s work and reporting marine animals in need from across the state. Remember, before approaching an injured or stranded marine animal, call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-7325. Our staff and volunteers make handling wild animals in need look easy, but it can be extremely dangerous without proper training. The best thing you can do is call first!  The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips Alaska, 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, The Theresa Bannister Fund, and the NC Giving Fund.   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. Supporters can help provide vital care for marine animals in need by donating at www.alaskasealife.org/donate.           

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a premature harbor seal pup to the Wildlife Response Program on May 8, 2025.   The male harbor seal was found on a remote beach in Kenai, Alaska, and it was evident that no mother was in the area. The pup was prematurely born, as indicated by his white lanugo coat, and the ASLC team knew he likely wouldn’t survive without immediate intervention. After receiving approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ASLC volunteers recovered the pup, and the animal was transported to the ASLC.   During this initial admit exam, staff found the pup was likely born that day and should not have been alone so soon after birth. The team is currently providing initial stabilizing treatments and examining the patient further to understand the severity of the animal’s condition. Premature harbor seal pups have only about a 50% chance of survival when admitted to a wildlife response program, and the team is providing intensive care to give this pup the best possible chance. In April 2025, the ASLC admitted another harbor seal pup born prematurely, which did not survive due to complications from underdeveloped organs that could not support life.   Harbor seal pups typically shed their white lanugo coat in utero before being born, so any time a pup of this species is seen with sections of fluffy white coat, it indicates that it was born prematurely. This visual clue helps responders quickly assess a harbor seal pup’s age, but it’s important to note that not all white-coated seal pups are premature.   Ice seal pups, like spotted and ringed seals, are born with white lanugo coats and do not shed them for four to six weeks after birth. Location helps experts know which species of seal pup they are looking at in Alaska. Typically, the ice seal species born with a white lanugo coat are found in the northern half of Alaska’s coastline, while harbor seals are found along the southern half of Alaska’s coastline.   Pupping season for harbor seals has begun, and the ASLC Wildlife Response team remains ready to help any marine animal in need in Alaska. This is typically the busiest time of year for the team as they prepare for an influx of calls about abandoned or injured pups in need of help.  The Alaska SeaLife Center responds to reports of stranded and injured marine mammals across the state. If you encounter a marine animal in distress, call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL (7325). We encourage all Alaskans and visitors to save this number in their phone contacts—and remember, always call first before approaching any stranded or injured wildlife.   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 Alaska, 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.    

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has admitted three more harbor seal pups to the Wildlife Response Program in the past seven days, marking a busy start to the 2025 season. One of the pups was born prematurely, one was found severely malnourished, and another was rescued after it was found alone, likely due to maternal separation. These cases follow the recent admissions of another premature harbor seal pup and an orphaned northern sea otter pup, all requiring intensive rehabilitation and veterinary care.  On May 26, 2025, a premature male pup was found alone on a beach near Petersburg, Alaska. The next day, it was still there alone, prompting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) staff in the area to call the ASLC hotline. After receiving authorization, the pup was recovered and quickly prepared for a flight leaving Petersburg, Alaska that morning.  The seal was transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center, where he remains in critical condition as veterinary teams work to stabilize his fragile health. Similar to challenges a premature human baby may face, the pup’s yellow-tinted gums and bloodwork indicated that his liver isn’t functioning as it should, and his condition remains critical as he fights each day to survive. Just four days later, on May 31, 2025, and from over 700 miles away, a female harbor seal pup was found very emaciated on a beach in Homer, Alaska. She was very skinny, dehydrated, and had a fresh umbilicus, which indicates she was newly born. Once recovery was authorized by NOAA, ASLC Homer volunteers were able to recover and start her transportation to the ASLC for critical veterinary care. This pup’s bloodwork also pointed to liver dysfunction, but the primary concern for the animal care team is her severely malnourished and dehydrated state. She also remains in critical condition. As staff continued providing intensive care for the three harbor seal pups already admitted, they braced for another admit on June 3, 2025. A female harbor seal pup was spotted alone in an unusual location in Anchorage, Alaska. ASLC staff observed the pup for several hours and a tidal cycle through reports provided by the public via the ASLC marine mammal stranding hotline. When no mother returned and the pup remained vulnerable in a heavily trafficked area, NOAA authorized rapid intervention, and the pup was transferred to the ASLC for treatment and rehabilitation.  How can you help harbor seals like these three pups? One of the most significant threats to harbor seal pups during pupping season is human disturbance. If a pup is approached by a human or dog, the mother may abandon it. Once abandoned, a pup’s chances of survival drop dramatically, especially during the critical window when the pup relies entirely on her milk for nutrition, immune support, and survival.  It is essential to give seals space and share coastal areas responsibly. Do not approach, touch, or attempt to move a seal pup. Keep children and pets at a safe distance from haul-out sites and known pupping areas. Approaching or disturbing a marine mammal can cause serious harm to the animal, put people at risk, and may result in violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Responsible viewing ensures that these young animals have the best chance to grow and survive in the wild. If you do see a seal pup in distress, the Alaska SeaLife Center remains ready to respond to reports of stranded and injured marine mammals statewide. Call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL (7325). We encourage all Alaskans and visitors to save this number in their phone contacts—and remember, always call first before approaching any stranded or injured wildlife.           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 Alaska, 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.    

Seward, Alaska (March 15, 2021) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is launching their Small Fry School, an ocean-centered program for young children, on YouTube. Small Fry School, beginning March 18, 2021, is made possible by the generous support of Alaska 529.   This free program, geared towards preschool and kindergarten aged children, will be live-streamed from the ASLC YouTube channel. Each 30 minute program will begin at 11AM AKST every other Thursday starting March 18 until May 13. A new ocean themed topic will be introduced during each class and will include a story, activities for parents and their child, and a lesson about unique ocean animals. No additional materials will need to be purchased by families in order to participate.    ASLC launched an in-person Small Fry School in 2018, but due to the pandemic could not resume the program in 2020. This year, Alaska 529 generously donated $20,000 to the program so the education team at the Center can virtually teach young children about the ocean. “After two successful in-person years, we're excited to start offering a virtual option! Not only will it help us reach more families, it will also allow us to help kids learn about their backyard. It's never too early to start exploring the world around you,” states Education Coordinator, Laura Woodward. The public is encouraged to follow the Alaska SeaLife Center on YouTube so they can easily tune in to this program: www.youtube.com/user/AKSeaLifeCenter   About ASLC: Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) research institution and public aquarium. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org or find us on Facebook.    About Alaska 529: Since 2001, Alaska 529 has made it easy to save for education in Alaska and study anywhere. The tax-advantaged plan offers unique benefits, such as the ability for Alaska residents to save through the PFD, and the University of Alaska Portfolio, which has a tuition-value guarantee. To learn more, visit www.Alaska529Plan.com  

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted two more harbor seal pups into their Wildlife Response Program within just a day of each other, raising the total number of patients to six.    On June 22, a female pup from Port Moller on the Alaska Peninsula was transported to the Center. The seal (pictured in this release) was found near the town by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The pup was monitored for a few days, but since it was so close to town, more people began investigating it. After receiving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approval the pup was picked up. Lake Clark Air graciously donated a flight for the seal after already donating a flight for a pup the previous week. Upon the initial admit exam, the main concerns of the veterinary team include low body weight, dehydration, and a puncture wound on her flipper, likely from some type of predator. The team is currently providing initial stabilizing treatments and examining the patient further to understand the severity of the animal’s condition.    On June 23, another harbor seal pup was spotted by NOAA officials intermittently showing up on a beach in Juneau. It appeared to be very underweight with no other seals in the area. The animal just arrived to the Center and the veterinary team is still doing preliminary examinations. Updates will be provided after further treatment.   The harbor seal pups that have already been admitted in the Center’s Wildlife Response Program are all in various stages of recovery. The male pup found in Seward on May 27 presented with neurological issues and vision impairment likely from a difficult birth. The team is impressed with how far he has progressed, but he continues to display neurological challenges that will likely never resolve. For this reason, the team believes he may not be releasable since these challenges will put him at a significant disadvantage in the wild.    The male pup found in Port Moller on June 15 is still in critical care. He arrived severely underweight and consequently is still very weak from malnourishment. While he is not strong enough to swim on his own, the team is cautiously optimistic that he will gain the weight and strength he needs. The two other seals, one from the Little Susitna River and one from Anchor Point, are progressing more quickly. They are now in outdoor holding areas with their own pools and graduating from re-hydrating liquids to fish formula and even some whole fish.    The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can provide care for animals like these seals because of donations from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of these seal patients here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of companies like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, PetZoo, Borman Family Foundation, GCI, Partners4Wildlife, Sea Otter Foundation & Trust, and Grizzly Pet Products.  About ASLC  Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a 501(c)(3), non-profit research institution and public aquarium in Seward, Alaska. The Center generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.   

 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. Community members played a vital role in reporting sightings of the injured otter to the ASLC team. However, due to his activity level and the challenging locations of sightings, immediate intervention was not possible. After several days without sightings, the injured otter was spotted again on November 16, 2024, in an unexpected location—a sheltered outdoor hallway at the Bayside Apartment complex, blocks from the water. A concerned community member promptly contacted the ASLC’s 24-hour stranded marine animal hotline to report the sighting. Upon closer inspection, the ASLC team confirmed that it was the same otter previously spotted and that his facial trauma was significant. With approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the otter was transported to the ASLC for thorough examination and care. An initial admit exam revealed extensive trauma to his face, nose, and left eye, as well as a fracture of the nasal bone, pneumonia, and parasitism. While some superficial wounds show signs of healing, an open injury near his eye and on the top of his head remains a concern and may require additional intervention. Because of the extensive trauma to his head and face, he may have suffered a concussion, as well as damage to his sight and hearing. Veterinary staff have begun treatment, including administering antibiotics, while they await further diagnostic results.  Adult wild otters often struggle to adapt to rehabilitation environments due to stress, but the young otter has shown promising behaviors so far. He is eating well and grooming his coat, which are critical behaviors for his recovery. ASLC staff continue to provide stabilizing treatments and closely monitor his progress. The ASLC remains committed to giving this otter the best chance of recovery and will provide updates on his journey through their social media pages (@AlaskaSeaLifeCenter). For more information on the Wildlife Response Program and to support the Alaska SeaLife Center’s mission programs, visit alaskasealife.org.    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).  The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips Alaska, 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.

Directions & Accessibility The Alaska SeaLife Center is located at Mile 0 of the Seward Highway in Seward, Alaska, 125 miles south of Anchorage. You can reach Seward by road year-round, or via the Alaska Railroad or cruise ship during the summer season. Getting Here Car or RV: The highway to Seward is one of the most scenic byways in Alaska. We are located approximately 125 miles south of Anchorage at Mile 0 of the Seward Highway. For the most up-to-date safety, traffic, and travel information on Alaska's highways, visit Alaska 511 online.           Cruise Ship: Some cruise lines provide transfer service from the dock to the Alaska SeaLife Center as part of your tour. If you wish to visit us independently, we recommend using the shuttle or taxi services detailed below. Transportation from Anchorage: Transportation between Anchorage and Seward is available daily during the summer season through the Park Connection. Year-round transportation is available through Seward Bus Line. Local Shuttles & Taxis: There is a free shuttle offered by the Seward Chamber of Commerce during the summer season that has stops at the rail and cruise terminals. There are also several taxi services in Seward. Glacier Taxi: 907- 224-5678 Mike’s Taxi: 907- 224-2244 PJ’s Taxi: 907- 224-5555 Seward Taxi & Tours: 907- 362-8000 Parking Parking is available at no charge year-round.  Our parking lot is located adjacent to the Center. Accessibility The Alaska SeaLife Center welcomes guests of all abilities. Please contact our visitor services team if you have any questions about available accommodations and accessibility at visit@alaskasealife.org.  The Alaska SeaLife Center is wheelchair & stroller accessible. We do have a small number of wheelchairs and strollers available for use during your visit. Service Animals In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation standards, the Alaska SeaLife Center accommodates service animals (dogs and miniature horses) in all public areas with the exception of areas where there is concern that the service animal could affect the safety and health of collection animals, specifically the open-air aviary; and with the following understandings: • Service animals must be trained to perform specific or task directly related to a person’s disability. • Companion animals, therapy animals and comfort animals are not service animals. • Service animals must be under control and harnessed, leashed, tethered, under voice, signal or other effective control. Staff at the ASLC may ask you two questions: 1. Is the animal required because of a disability? 2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? The ASLC retains the right to request that service animals be removed from the premises if 1) the animal is out of control and the handler does not take control, 2) the animal is not housebroken, or 3) the animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the safety of others. Some ASLC tours include areas that are not open to service animals. ASLC security is available to briefly assist tour guests with service animals for that portion of the tour by staying with the animal in an adjacent unrestricted area. ADA Guidelines You can find information about ADA guidelines for service animals on the ADA website at https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html#exc. From the ADA “Frequently Asked Questions” site the following applies: “Exclusion of Service Animal” Q25. When can service animals be excluded? A. The ADA does not require covered entities to modify policies, practices, or procedures if it would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public. Nor does it overrule legitimate safety requirements. If admitting service animals would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program, service animals may be prohibited. In addition, if a particular service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if it is not housebroken, that animal may be excluded. Q.26. When might a service dog’s presence fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program provided to the public? A. In most settings, the presence of a service animal will not result in a fundamental alteration. However, there are some exceptions. For example, at a boarding school, service animals could be restricted from a specific area of a dormitory reserved specifically for students with allergies to dog dander. At a zoo, service animals can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated. They cannot be restricted from other areas of the zoo.   Certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity The Alaska SeaLife Center was the first organization in the state of Alaska to be certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity. Our front-line staff have been trained and equipped with the knowledge to help people with sensory disabilities if needed during their visit. Signage can be found throughout the aquarium designating where the quiet area and headphone zones are located.        Resources: View the ASLC social story to prepare for your visit and have the best experience possible. View the Headphone Zone Map to prepare for potentially loud areas Sensory Bags, provided by KultureCity, can be checked out from the admissions counter free of charge and include headphones, the ASLC headphone zone map, fidgets, verbal cue cards, and a VIP lanyard. We also have a weighted lap pad that is available on request.      Audio Tour The ASLC Audio Tour offers rich descriptions to support visitors who are blind or have low vision, providing access to information that may not be available through visual exhibits and signage. It features some unique stories and perspectives not presented in written displays. Some stories by Sugpiaq Native Elders are presented with permission through an ongoing partnership with Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation, a program of Chugachmiut, the tribal consortium dedicated to promoting the self-determination of the seven Alaska Native communities in the Chugach Region of South-Central Alaska. For the enjoyment of all guests, we ask that you use headphones or earbuds when accessing the audio tour.  This audio program and accompanying booklet were made possible through generous grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds through the office of Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy with additional support from the Seward Community Foundation, recorded in partnership with Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation, a program of Chugachmiut, the Tribal consortium created to promote self-determination to the seven Native communities of the Chugach Region,  and CRIS Radio, a nonprofit 501(c)3 radio-reading service, serving people who are blind or print-challenged.     

animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('B', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         Developing a research project proposal is hard work. In order to receive funding for their project, scientists must be able to explain what they hope to learn and why their proposed question is worth answering. For Antarctic research, scientists must have their project selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which coordinates all United States research in Antarctica. As you can imagine, it's a competitive application process! In 21st-century science, it's all about collaboration. The NSF knows that scientific discoveries are made when scientists with different skills team up to answer a question. Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish and her colleagues, Dr. Horning and Dr. Hindle, agree. This team of physiologists have worked together before and value the expertise each individual brings to the group. Without Dr. Horning's special knack for engineering instruments, Dr. Hindle's expertise in modeling data, or Dr. Mellish's skill at assessing animal health, this project would never have made it past the proposal stage. In addition to the benefit of varying skill-sets, working as a team gives scientists a chance to bounce ideas off one another. Talking about ideas leads to better research questions - and to successful collaborations like this one, carried out with support from the National Science Foundation (award #1043779). VIDEO: RESEARCH QUESTIONS Dr. Allyson Hindle explains the team's research questions for the Weddell seal project. (1:23) Video Transcript Dr. Allyson Hindle: “ My name is Allyson Hindle, and I’m a post doctoral researcher. I’m one of the Co-PI’s (Co-Principal Investigators) on this project. I work with a lot of the data on the back end. “One of the questions that we asked was whether changing sea ice conditions might have an impact on seals that depend on the ice. One of the first things that we needed to do, and really the central piece to this project is to look at how much it costs: How much energy does it cost a seal to stay warm in the water compared to on the ice? So in cold water, or in cold air. “I’m an animal physiologist, so I’m interested in the processes that help an animal function, the internal biology of the animal. All of those internal processes help animals do different things that are necessary for survival, like digesting food, staying warm (thermoregulation), contraction of their muscles so that they can swim, all those types of things. “I’m really interested in taking our data and trying to get as many numbers as I can for all of those biological, physiological processes, and then putting it together so that we can make some estimates and predictions about how these animals will live if the environment changes.” Understanding how changes in sea ice cover will impact polar seals hinges on a broader understanding of how different conditions change a seal's ability to thermoregulate. People have known for a long time that water and air have very different physical properties. One difference is in the way that water and air conduct heat. Scientists have calculated that water pulls heat away from a seal's body as much as 4.5 times faster than air. Brrrr! Knowing this, Dr. Hindle and the team believe that polar seals' ability to thermoregulate will be negatively affected if changing sea ice conditions alter the way these species budget the time they spend on ice and and in water. Further, the team hypothesizes that changes in sea ice will affect some animals more than others. They expect that larger animals with more blubber will have a greater buffer against environmental change, while smaller, leaner animals may face more challenges. VIDEO: RESEARCH METHODS Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish describes why McMurdo Sound's Weddell seals were the perfect population to study to test the team's hypotheses. (1:33) Video Transcript Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish: “Weddell seals were perfect for this project because we have an enormous size range to work with. We’ve got weaned pups all the way up to adult females. Not only do we have this body mass range, but during the breeding season we can also get animals that are in really good condition, so one size and really, really fat and those are our weaned pups. “We can get the same size animal that’s really, really lean and that’s our first year or second year juveniles, who are about the same size but they’ve just had their first year of foraging by themselves and they’re not quite as chunky. “Then we’ve got adult females who are enormous. Some of these females are back just to breed, they don’t have a pup that year so they are in ridiculously good health, they have more blubber than you can shake a stick at! Then you’ve got these other females that are the same frame size, but they just finished supporting a pup for the last four to six weeks. So there can be a 100 kilogram (220 pounds) difference in two animals of the same age and the same frame size. So we’ve got big and small, and lean and fat. We've got these four groups of animals that we can look at differences in how they forage, differences in how much energy they burn in a day, and differences in what kind of buffer they might have to adapt to a changing environment.“ In order to test their hypotheses, the team needed to develop a plan. Among the questions they needed to answer were: How would they determine which seals to study and what tools would they use to study the seals once they'd chosen them? These challenges had to be carefully considered before the team traveled to the ice. After all, once you board the plane for Antarctica, there’s no going back for something you forgot!       WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?   PHYSIOLOGIST (n) - a biologist who studies the processes that help living things function   COLLABORATION (n) - the action of working with others to do or create something   ENGINEER (v) - to design or build something   MODEL (n) - in science, a representation of data that makes something easier to quantify, predict, or understand   THERMOREGULATION (n) - the ability to maintain a constant body temperature under changing conditions   DATA (n) - values for something measured   HYPOTHESIZE (v) - to propose an anwer to a scientific question   BLUBBER (n) - an insulating fat possessed by many marine mammals    

  animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('B', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         Thousands of individual animals died as a result the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Some died soon after contact with the oil. Others died more slowly as a result of the toxins. It is difficult to measure how animal populations continue to be affected by contact with oil after the cleanup. The long-term harm from chronic exposure to the chemicals in oil remains a problem in some areas, especially where oil can still be found under rocks. Since 1990, scientists have been gathering data about locations where oil continues to linger, as well as the movement of toxic chemicals throughout the Prince William Sound ecosystem. The Lingering Oil project is studying the recovery of harlequin duck and northern sea otter populations in Prince William Sound because there are long-term health concerns for both of these populations. The Gulf Watch Alaska team is collecting data by taking samples in both oiled and non-oiled sites in Prince William Sound. Click on the images below to learn more about these two species. Scientists use a variety of skills to capture ducks and otters in order to collect tissue samples. These methods are designed to safely capture the animals and then release them unharmed. According to Dr. Esler, “It might not be the greatest day for the animals, [but] their long-term survival is not compromised.” To capture harlequin ducks, the team uses a floating mist net. This net sits above the water like an invisible wall. As the ducks come in for a landing, they are trapped in the net. Researchers can then safely remove the ducks and take them to the veterinarian for sampling. Capturing sea otters is a bit more challenging. These cute and fuzzy creatures are, in fact, the largest member of the weasel family (the Mustelids). This is a group of animals who are not known for their sweet and cuddly personalities. Think of a sea otter as a floating badger or wolverine! Watch the video below to see divers use a Wilson Trap to safely capture and handle sea otters for sampling. VIDEO: Capturing Sea Otters United States Geological Survey (USGS) video showing how divers use Wilson traps to capture sea otters in the wild. (3:53) Video Transcript (This video contains music and some ambient sounds but no dialogue.) Watch the video below to learn more about the scientists' field work as they monitor the effects of lingering oil in Prince William Sound. VIDEO: Lingering Oil Dan Esler describes how scientists are studying the effects of lingering oil on harlequin ducks and sea otters. (1:48) Video Transcript The lingering oil studies occur in western Prince William Sound, which is where the oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill landed, and actually there’s still some oil out there today – small pockets of oil that’s buried in sediments on beaches, throughout western Prince William Sound. So that’s where the lingering oil issues are still important to track. From the USGS perspective, we’re looking at effects of that lingering oil on wildlife. So considering effects of exposure to that lingering oil, and also to understand what that might mean to individuals and populations of the wildlife that live out there. The main species that we’re thinking about in terms of lingering oil are harlequin ducks and sea otters, and that’s because there’s a long history of understanding that lingering oil’s been an important constraint on population recovery of those two species, and so we’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand the timeline and the mechanisms by which those species are recovering from the oil spill. We’ve measured exposure in a number of different ways. For example, with harlequin ducks we’ve used an enzyme called cytochrome P450 1A. It’s a long word basically for an enzyme that gets induced when any vertebrate’s exposed to hydrocarbons. So if you and I were exposed to oil, we would have an induction of that enzyme that would be measurable and then could tell us whether one has been exposed to that. The enzyme itself is part of a cascade of physiological processes that any vertebrate goes through once they’ve been exposed to oil. And it could be indicative of physiological harm, or it could be indicative of just exposure without physiological harm. So we’re not inferring harm from induction of the enzyme, what we’re inferring is that they’re still exposed to oil with the potential for harm.         Who is watching the Gulf?   Concentration (n): the amount of something in a specific place or given volume   Recovery (n): a return to a normal state of health   Tissue sampling (n): various procedures to obtain bodily fluids, muscle, skin, fur or feathers for testing  

animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENTS Use the .pdf links below to access classroom activities for each section of the Watching Walrus virtual field trip. Teachers Guide.pdf Introduction_Activities.pdf Background_Activities.pdf Questions_Activities.pdf Plan_Activities.pdf Action_Activities.pdf Results_Activities.pdf Glossary.pdf               Welcome Teachers!   Educators and scientists at the Alaska SeaLife Center have teamed up to bring you a new and unique teaching tool. "Watching Walrus" is a virtual field trip (VFT) designed to introduce students to the process of designing a scientific research plan.  Throughout this exploration, students watch videos, examine images, and read fact sheets as they follow real-life scientists into the wilds of Alaska to study Pacific walrus populations.  This VFT can be used in a number of ways.  Individuals may choose to navigate through the slides independently, learning about Pacific walrus and why changes in Arctic climate have scientists concerned about these animals.  Self-guided exploration can be completed in under an hour.  Alternately, teachers may wish to facilitate a structured experience using the curriculum supplements.  Overview for Teachers Grade Level: 5th-8th Time needed:  6-8 one-hour class periods Nutshell: Students will gain experience designing a scientific research plan while learning about an actual research project that studies Pacific walrus in Alaska. Objectives: After completing this virtual field trip, students will be able to: - Describe how the research plan they develop meets the objectives set out by Alaska SeaLife Center scientists - Explain how Arctic animals, like Pacific walrus, may be impacted by decreased availability of sea ice - Locate geographic features of the Arctic and subarctic oceans using a world map Background: Pacific walrus are a marine mammal species native to the Bering and Chukchi Sea area between Alaska and Russia. A member of the pinniped (fin-footed) family, walrus are ocean bottom feeders that can weigh up to one and a half tons. Walrus live along the continental shelf where water is shallow and food resources are plentiful. Floating sea ice provides females and calves with access to varied food resources, protection from predators, and isolation from disease. Though walrus are a social, gregarious species (males are known to haul-out together in large numbers), females with calves usually stay separate from the herd, depending on sea ice for their haulouts. As a consequence of warming Arctic climate, scientists have observed that sea ice in the Arctic Region is shrinking. This means decreased habitat for Pacific walrus, particularly for vulnerable segments of the population like females with calves. As a result of these changes in habitat, walrus have been observed hauling out on land in numbers rarely seen before. Not only does this make populations more susceptible to disease, predation, and depletion of food resources, it also means moms and calves are living in large herds rather than in small groups or pairs. Walrus are known to abandon a haulout upon disturbance (e.g., by the presence of boats, people, predators). In such cases, walrus move quickly from land into water when they are on ice. As walrus are observed gathering in large groups (as many as 14,000 walrus have been observed hauling out together) scientists are concerned about the increased consequences of such disturbances. Instances of stampede have been recorded, including that at Icy Cape (described in Watching Walrus), leaving hundreds of animals dead. Such events led scientists at the Alaska SeaLife Center to begin research observing Pacific walrus. Their intention is to increase the understanding of what causes these animals to abandon a haulout.  They are particularly interested in how the patterns in walrus response differ between established land haulout outs and newly emergent ones. The research of lead Marine Mammal Scientist Dr. Lori Polasek, Marine Mammal Research Associate Jill Prewitt, and Research Coordinator Terril Efird inspired this virtual field trip. Join us as we explore some of Alaska’s most remote coastline and work to learn more about how sea ice loss is impacting Pacific walrus. Throughout their exploration of Watching Walrus, students will engage in discussions, make observations, complete a research ma,p and design their own research plan for observing walrus as they use land haulouts.  To use this virtual field trip you will need: - Internet access, video-streaming capabilities - Access to Watching Walrus the virtual field trip - Projection system (with audio) to display VFT content or a computer lab - Teacher guide and corresponding curriculum supplements (arranged as PDFs in the right hand column of this page) Specials Notes to Teachers: Guide to State & National Standards addressed in this field trip (Click to download .pdf) Using the Virtual Field Trip Teachers may choose to have the class navigate through Watching Walrus as one large group, using a projection system to display content, or have students work independently in a computer lab setting.  All activities included in the curriculum supplements work best in a classroom setting with tables arranged into small groups. Using Curriculum Supplements We encourage teachers to read through the Teacher’s Guide and all Curriculum Supplements before beginning Watching Walrus with your students.  Some projects, like the Research Map, will be completed over the course of this exploration.  Videos and PDFs Many sections of Watching Walrus include embedded videos and .pdf documents.  Teachers may elect to print class sets of the .pdfs or use them digitally.  All .pdf files are 1-2 pages long.  Most videos are less than 3 minutes long (exact durations can be found in the description of each video).  Video transcripts can be accessed by clicking the video transcript button below each clip.  Vocabulary Important vocabulary terms are included in the VOCABULARY box in the lower right-hand corner of each section.  A complete glossary of terms is included as a .pdf in the FOR TEACHERS section.  Age appropriateness This virtual field trip is designed to meet Alaska state and National science content for students in grades 5-8.  We understand that students in grades 5-8 may display a variety of skill sets and reading levels; therefore, this grade distinction is designed only as a guideline.  The scientific process discussed in this virtual field trip is appropriate for and may be enjoyed by older students, as well.  Older students may progress through this virtual field trip at a faster rate than that outlined above.  Additional Resources: Web Resources: Walrus Natural History Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G): Walrus Profile Walrus Information from SeaWorld/Busch Gardens National Geographic Kids Creature Features: Walrus NOVA: How to Speak Walrus USFWS Species Info: Walrus ADF&G Walrus Island, State Game Sanctuary Sea Ice National Snow and Ice Data Center NASA Earth Observatory: Sea Ice Print Resources: For an overview of Pacific walrus facts, and information on other Alaskan marine mammals: Wynne, Kate. Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska. Fairbanks, AK: University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska Sea Grant College Program, 2007. For more information on Alaska marine invertebrates, including those predated by Pacific walrus: Field, Carmen M., and Conrad J. Field. Alaska's Seashore Creatures: a Guide to Selected Marine Invertebrates. Anchorage: Alaska Northwest, 1999. For more information about the Bering Sea region: Johnson, Terry Lee. The Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands: Region of Wonders. Fairbanks, AK: University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska Sea Grant College Program, 2003.   Contact Us: If you have any questions about this virtual field trip, please contact the Alaska SeaLife Center Education Department at education@alaskasealife.org or 907-224-6306. For more information on classes we offer, including our inquiry-based 50-minute Distance Learning programs, visit our website at www.alaskasealife.org.          

  animatedcollapse.addDiv('1', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('2', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         Before setting out to explore what's living within the Bering Sea's annual sea ice, scientists need to understand the sea ice itself. The first important step is to understand how sea ice forms. When we think of the world’s oceans, we usually imagine large bodies of blue-green salt water. However, in the polar regions of our planet, conditions can be so cold that the surface of the ocean freezes. This happens when cool air temperatures and wind combine to chill the top layer of seawater to less than 28.8°F (-1.8°C). Take a look at the videos below to learn more about how sea ice forms and how it fits into the Bering Sea ecosystem: VIDEO: THE SCIENCE OF SEA ICE This video explains how sea ice differs from ice formed on fresh water lakes and describes why sea ice is an important part of the Bering Sea ecosystem. (1:55) Video Transcript Salt water and fresh water have very different physical properties.  You may have noticed one example of this already- seawater freezes at a cooler temperature.    This is because of the dissolved salt that makes sea water salty. When ocean water freezes, only the fresh water forms ice crystals leaving the salts behind in concertrated liquid droplets called brine. As the water continues to freeze, the brine droplets grow and accumulate to form tiny passageways called brine channels. So instead of being solid like an ice cube, sea ice is laced with these little brine channels that are filled with extremely salty water.  Because sea water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water, sea ice can only exist in very cold locations.  The National Snow and Ice Data Center estimates that only about “15% of the world’s oceans are covered by sea ice during part of the year”.  Most of this sea ice is in the Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.  Some areas of the ocean are covered with sea ice all year, while in other areas sea ice is only present during the coldest months of the winter. The Bering Sea is an example of a region that only has sea ice during part of the year.  Arctic sea ice begins to grow in September, extending South into the Bering Sea as the winter continues.  The maximum sea ice extent is in March, and in the spring ice begins to melt away.  Plants, wildlife and humans all rely on the timing of the Spring sea ice melt. For plants, melting ice means access to light for photosynthesis.  For animals and humans it means access to the food resources they depend on.  Scientists expect that changes in the timing and extent of sea ice cover in the Bering Sea may impact the whole ecosystem. Brine channels inside the sea ice provide a unique habitat for ice algae. When sea ice melts in the spring, this algae is released into the water below. In areas like the Bering Sea, where sea ice is not always present, the spring sea ice melt is an important annual event for the ecosystem. VIDEO: SEA ICE ALGAE THROUGH THE SEASONS This animation illustrates how sea ice algae in the Bering Sea varies through the seasons. (0:55) To help them describe different parts of the ocean from the top down, scientists divide it into zones based on types of habitats. In the Bering Sea, three habitat zones exist: the sympagic, the pelagic and the benthic. Dr. Gradinger and his team believe that, in the spring, plants and animals in the sympagic, pelagic and benthic zones are all impacted by sea ice.  What they want to better understand is exactly how these species are impacted, by learning how they fit together in the food web. Understanding what life is like in different areas of the Bering Sea ecosystem during the springtime helps Dr. Gradinger and his team begin to predict how the ecosystem might respond if Arctic sea ice coverage continues to recede.  The research team's curiosity with this previously understudied ecosystem led to the development of specific research questions and a project proposal that took them out on the ice!       WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?   POLAR (adj)- Describing the area of the Earth's surface around the North and South poles.   BRINE (n)- very salty water   PELAGIC (adj)- in the open ocean environment   BENTHIC (adj)- in the sea floor environment   SYMPAGIC (adj)- in the ice environment   PRIMARY CONSUMER (n)- an animal that feeds on plants; an herbivore   LARVAL STAGE (n)- a juvenile stage many animals go through before they grow into adults  

animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() animatedcollapse.addDiv('B', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init()         At the Alaska SeaLife Center, Dr. Hollmen's team provides all the necessary care for the Steller's eiders in their virtual habitat. The eider team monitors the birds’ behaviors and health on a daily basis and makes sure the birds have the proper space and food. The enclosures for the birds aren’t exactly like the habitats they typically live in, so it is up to the husbandry team to figure out what the Steller’s eiders need to succeed. Dr. Tuula Hollmen and her crew work hard to create a habitat that suits the eiders. Remember, Steller’s eiders are migratory birds, so the habitat at the Alaska SeaLife Center has to change season to season, especially during breeding season! VIDEO: Creating a Virtual Habitat Tasha DiMarzio explains how the Steller's eider enclosures at the Alaska SeaLife Center can be altered to create a virtual tundra habitat. (2:19) Video Transcript The area we are sitting in now we call our breeding units. There’s ten individual units or one large unit, and we can create smaller flocks or individual breeding units or one big pen for if we want to winter everybody in this unit, we can do that. Starting in January through March, we’ll really start watching the birds and seeing who is courting with who and who’s pairing off, and then we’ll move them from what we call the non-breeding or wintering unit and they migrate over to our breeding units (which is just across the walkway). In the winter time we switch them all to salt water because that is where they would be in the wild, out in the ocean, and in the summertime they come to these freshwater tundra ponds. When we were in full breeding season we had covers over one of the pools and it was tundra and then pond on the other side. But now since we are in duck rearing mode we have two ponds and they’re both fresh water. Getting birds to breed in captivity is always a big challenge. Luckily we are in a state where these birds are actually from, and so we can go out and see what they are using as nest materials and what sites they prefer, if its grass or lichen, and then we try and replicate that the best we can. We don’t have these big vast tundra fields, so we try and create areas that they can feel secluded and have privacy, but then have it look a little bit like what maybe they would see in the wild. We go to the beach and we collect a lot of driftwood to create visual barriers and blinds and areas that they can be private. Because each female is picky about where she likes, we try and provide each pair with at least three different nesting options. So a nesting option can be a manmade wooden structure that looks like nothing that you would see in the wild, and then another open tundra-like moss nest, and then a combination of the two: maybe driftwood around a plexiglass-covered structure. And then the biggest key is just keeping it dry so that the down in the nests stay dry. Because the areas that they are nesting, even though it is Arctic tundra, it’s actually a desert and so there is very little water and rainfall but here we’re in a very rainy climate and so that’s a big challenge we have, is keeping their nests dry while they’re going through the egg laying process, so we come up with different things to try and tackle that challenge. By altering the virtual habitat, the husbandry staff can try to match the eiders’ needs for the breeding season. Each year, the husbandry team continues to offer the eiders a variety of space and nesting configurations in the habitat, in an attempt to promote successful breeding. If something doesn’t work, they try something different the next year! After years of trial and error, favorable conditions have been created, allowing some of the eiders to feel comfortable enough to nest! As a result, the team is faced with hundreds of eggs. Some of the Steller’s eider hens incubate their own eggs, but many eggs end up in the care of the husbandry staff when hens don't prepare an appropriate nest. See how scientists can try to play the role of a hen incubating her eggs. VIDEO: ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION Nathan Bawtinhimer describes the process involved when humans incubate eider eggs. (1:32) Video Transcript It's a fun challenge trying to get the artificial incubators to accurately mimic the hen incubating which is very tricky. So we’ve been messing around with a lot of different humidity settings and different methods of turning to more accurately imitate the hen and promote better development within the egg during the incubation process and successful hatching. It’s important that we candle the eggs regularly so we can keep track of the development inside the egg. By candling them with a bright LED flashlight we can actually see inside the egg and just by looking we can tell how long it’s been incubating for, if it’s on the right track developmentally, and what the estimated hatch should be. When we are candling the eggs it is actually an important cool down time for the eggs, because we’ll have the top off the incubator which simulates the hen getting off the nest and foraging. And we also weigh the eggs everyday because during the course of incubation there is a certain range that the egg is supposed to lose to hatch successfully, usually between 12 and 16% of its weight. So we watch their weight loss and we adjust the humidity accordingly. The amount of weight they lose is critical for successful hatching. We’ll record and enter all the data in the spreadsheet so we can track the weight loss and the development of the eggs. And we keep very detailed records of everything we see every day when we candle. While scientists are learning about the Steller's eiders at the Alaska SeaLife Center, they also need to learn more about the natural habitat of these birds. If researchers are hoping to increase the nesting population of Steller's eiders in Alaska, there has to be suitable nesting habitat available in the wild. To determine what is available for these birds in the wild, the scientists head out into the field...       CLICK BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT SEADUCK SCIENTISTS!   COURTSHIP (n)- the behavior of male birds and other animals aimed at attracting a mate.   HABITAT (n)- the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.   HUSBANDRY (n)- the care, cultivation, and breeding of crops or animals.   INCUBATE (v)- to keep an egg or organism at an appropriate temperature for it to develop.   MIMIC (v)- to imitate something.   MONITOR (v)- to keep surveillance over something.    

  animatedcollapse.addDiv('A', 'fade=1') animatedcollapse.ontoggle=function($, divobj, state){ //fires each time a DIV is expanded/contracted //$: Access to jQuery //divobj: DOM reference to DIV being expanded/ collapsed. Use "divobj.id" to get its ID //state: "block" or "none", depending on state } animatedcollapse.init() As Yosty mentioned, during the years of 2014 and 2015 scientists with Gulf Watch Alaska began to notice multiple strange occurrences happening in the Gulf, and they wondered how these could be connected. The area of water monitored by the team of scientists at Gulf Watch Alaska is crucial for the survival of animals in and surrounding the Gulf, as well as the populations of people situated on the coast. Using the power and capabilities of the Gulf Watch Alaska team, scientists have begun to piece together the mystery of these strange events. But before figuring out how these events are connected, the scientists needed to fully understand the scope of what was happening in 2014 and 2015. Starting in the winter of 2014, residents of communities surrounding the Gulf of Alaska were witness to a very concerning phenomenon happening to one of the area’s most familiar seabirds, the common murre. Striking numbers of common murres were washing up dead along the coast, and thousands were traveling unusually far inland and away from their feeding grounds in the Gulf of Alaska. It is considered normal for common murre populations to intermittently experience large-scale die-offs, known as wrecks, but the series of die-offs beginning in the winter of 2014 and extending through 2016 were unparalleled in the historic record, both in terms of geographic area and length of time. As the initial reports of these unusual common murre deaths and migratory patterns began making their way to the scientists of Gulf Watch Alaska, there was a lot of speculation about what could be causing this event. Travel with Yosty to meet Gulf Watch Alaska Scientist Kathy Kuletz to hear her account of the common murre die-off event and how her research seeks to understand what was causing the die-off. Click the video below to hear Kathy’s experience with the common murres. VIDEO: Kathy Kuletz and the Common Murres Kathy Kuletz talks about common murre die-offs and their potential causes, and some of the challenges scientists face when trying to study these events. (3:45) Video Transcript Narrator:The first person Yosty sat down with was Kathy Kuletz, a scientist who studies birds for Gulf Watch. Yosty: Hi Kathy, you’ve been a wildlife biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife service since 1978? Kathy: Yes. Yosty: Can you tell me about what went on in 2014-2015 that was so unusual in the Gulf of Alaska? Kathy: Everyone knows, it’s been really warm, that was the main thing. And associated with that we started having reproductive failure by seabirds and large die-off events - mainly with common murres but some other species were involved as well. But the main event, which has been really noteworthy, has been the die-off of common murres. It has been unprecedented in its geographic scope, extending from southeast Alaska all the way up into the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea but mainly in the Gulf, the northern Gulf of Alaska. And it’s been unprecedented in the length of time that this has continued, we started having hints of it in 2014, it really hit heavy in the winter of 2015 and 2016 and just continued in episodes, die-offs happening throughout 2016. Yosty: So what do you think is killing the birds? Kathy: When we find them, we have looked at some carcasses on the beach and taken some back to the labs. USGS has been working with us and many other groups - COASST and Fish & Game - and they have, the birds have been empty, their stomachs have been empty and they have lost muscle mass, they have all the evidence of sort of consuming from the inside because they are starved. I know there is a lot of concern about domoic acid and saxatoxin, which is found with paralytic shellfish poisoning, and that certainly could be there, but so far we’ve only found some of the birds have trace amounts of saxatoxin. So the problem with determining if that has played a part is that they don’t keep food in their gut for very long, and because they are empty we haven’t been able to test the food that they have eaten. We do know that those kinds of toxins can change behavior of seabirds, and so it might have affected their ability to forage and find food, but it is also just as likely that there is not enough food or the food is of low quality in the areas where they normally feed. Now when it is really warm, some of these fish will go very deep in the water column, so birds like black legged kittiwakes who just feed on the surface, they can’t access the fish. Murres can dive quite deep, 100 meters, so they should be able to access fish if they go deep but the fish might also have moved far offshore if it is very warm, they are looking for colder water sometimes or more food. So it is quite likely that their food wasn’t available, or it wasn’t nutritious. Often when it is very warm the zooplankton tend to be smaller and less energy dense and up the food chain the fish will be smaller and have less energy for weight, so that affects seabirds and marine mammals that feed on them. We are continuing to collect carcasses when we find them, or people will ship them in and we’ll help get them sent to the lab. USGS now is putting together their own lab so we can do testing here in Anchorage, so that will expedite things a lot and maybe that’ll help us get better access to fresh samples that we can more accurately test for saxatoxin and other toxins. Yosty: Thank you.       Who is watching the Blob?   Carcass (n): the full skeletal and organ remains of a dead organism   Crucial (adj): very important to the success or failure of something   Data (n): values of something measured   Domoic acid (n): an acid produced by algae that accumulates in the shellfish that consume the algae, affecting the brain and nervous system of the animals that eat the shellfish   Food chain (n): the organization of organisms in an ecosystem, describing which organisms eat which   Intermittently (adv): happening in an irregular pattern   Phenomenon (n): a situation that is observed for which the cause is unknown or questioned   Saxatoxin (n): a toxin produced by algae that accumulates in the shellfish that consume the algae, causing illness in the animals that eat the shellfish   Speculation (n): a theory or idea without evidence to support it   Unparalleled (adj): having no equal or match, something that is unique   Unprecedented (adj): never seen or experienced before   Wrecks (n): large die-offs of common murres that have happened periodically throughout history    

Accredited zoos and aquariums are saving more than 30 endangered species and the Alaska SeaLife Center Plays a Leading Role. Seward, Alaska (November 17, 2014) – As American families prepare for the annual ritual of giving thanks, they can add to their list of things to be thankful for a rare victory in the battle against global climate change – more than 30 endangered species brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to America’s accredited zoos and aquariums.  With climate change, population growth and deforestation, and poaching threatening species around the world, we are facing what scientists call the “Sixth Extinction.”  But the 229 accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have built a unique infrastructure to save endangered species – breeding programs that coordinate across many institutions to ensure genetic diversity, systems so that animals can be safely moved between institutions, and partnerships with local, national, and international conservation organizations working on re-introducing these animals to their native ranges.  Because of that infrastructure, there is good news in the face of the extinction crisis:  from the Florida manatee to the California condor, the Hawaiian crow to the Puerto Rican crested toad, the Chinese alligator to the American bison, zoos and aquariums have saved more than 30 species, and are working today on dozens more. Over the next several months, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will be celebrating these successes, and inviting the public to support efforts to save even more species.  In November, in honor of Thanksgiving, AZA is spotlighting endangered birds, including: ·         All four species of eider sea ducks saw a decline in population from the 1970s to the 1990s, and two of the species are currently listed as threatened in the U.S.: thespectacled eider and the Alaska-breeding population of Steller’s eider.  For over thirteen years, the Eider Research Program at the Alaska SeaLife Center has conducted field, laboratory, and captive studies on Steller’s and spectacled eiders in Alaska.  Currently, the Alaska SeaLife Center houses captive breeding flocks of both spectacled and Steller’s eiders, making the organization the only facility in the world to house these species for research and conservation purposes.  The Steller’s eiders at the Alaska SeaLife Center serve as a unique reservoir flock of the threatened Steller’s eiders in Alaska, and the Center works in close partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop methods to recover the threatened eiders in Alaska. ·         Bali mynah have striking white plumage with black wing tips and bright blue coloration around the eyes. The species can approach 10 inches in height.  Bali mynahs are nearly extinct in the wild because poachers collect them for the illegal pet trade, where they are valued for their striking plumage and beautiful songs. Because of this poaching, Bali mynahs are found almost exclusively in zoos.   But much has been done to help the Bali mynah's wild population recover, including protection of their native breeding grounds.  In 1987, 40 Bali mynahs from US zoos were sent to the Surbaja Zoo in Indonesia to form a breeding group, with resulting offspring released into the wild. In 2009, Bali mynahs raised in managed care were introduced to a neighboring island, Nusa Penida, and seem to be doing well so far. ·         The largest bird in North America, the California condor once dominated the western skies, able to soar to 15,000 feet and travel up to 150 miles a day in pursuit of food.  With its keen vision, the condor hunts for carcasses of dead animals, and then swoops in to feast, serving as nature’s clean-up crew.  But destruction of habitat and poaching decimated the species, and by 1982, only 22 birds remained in the wild.  The San Diego Zoo Global, the Los Angeles Zoo and 16 other AZA institutions took the lead at captive propagation, working with a network of government and non-profit partners.  Beginning in the early 1990s, zoo-bred condors began being reintroduced into the wild.  From a low of 22, there are now more than 435 condors in the world, with almost 250 free-flying in the West. ·         Prior to the 1960s, there were probably around 10,000 Guam rails living on Guam, a South Pacific island. Sometime between 1944 and 1952, brown tree snakes arrived on Guam, most likely on cargo ships. The snakes’ population rapidly increased, because there was plentiful prey (such as the Guam rails) and no natural predators. The tree snakes wiped out the native animal populations, and by the 1970s, 9 of the 11 native bird species, including the Guam rail, had disappeared.  Trying to save the species, the last few birds were removed from the island in the 1980s. In 1989, reintroduction of these birds began on the island of Rota, near Guam, as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for the species. ·         The palila Hawaiian songbird is one of the endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper species and efforts to expand the palila population back to its historic range at Pu`u Mali have included experimental releases of captive-bred birds, as well as relocation of wild birds to protected areas. The palila was the first animal to have a federal circuit court case named after it, in a precedent setting case that increased protection for endangered species.  While several zoos are working to preserve the palila, they are not currently on exhibit to the public. ·         Known in Hawaii as Alala, the Hawaiian crow is the most endangered corvid in the world and is the only crow species found in Hawaii. The birds are extinct in the wild, and the remaining population is managed at zoos, where the chicks are fed and cared for by animal care staff they never see to ensure they do not imprint on humans.  The last `alalā were recorded in their natural habitat in 2002. Planning is underway to restore the `alalā to the Big Island of Hawaii beginning this year.  ·         The Waldrapp ibis, also known as the hermit ibis or the northern bald ibis, may not be viewed by some as the most attractive bird, but their strong character and bizarre appearance give them unique appeal. They look almost comical with their bald heads, long red beaks and crazy crest feathers going every which way. Their black feathers take on brilliant sheens of purple, green and orange when viewed in bright sunlight. With only about 420 wild Waldrapp ibis remaining, this is one of the world's most critically endangered avian species.  But thanks to a very successful breeding and release program, there are over 1,100 Waldrapp ibis in captivity, and offspring from zoos are being released back to the wild.  For a list of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums where you can see some of these incredible birds in person, please visit the AZA website: http://www.aza.org/SpeciesBeingSaved. About AZA Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and six other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org. About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium, with wildlife response and education departments. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems.  The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

The Alaska SeaLife Center is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources. The Alaska SeaLife Center appreciates the support provided by the award sponsors and thanks the awards committee members (Jason Brune, Ginny Eckert, Dale Hoffman, Molly McCammon, Lynn Palensky, Robert Suydam) for their assistance in selecting the award recipients. These awards will be presented at a virtual event on March 31.           Dr. Robert Suydam, Ph.D., will receive the prestigious Walter J. and Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Governor Walter J. Hickel and the late Ermalee Hickel endowed this award for 10 years to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources for more than 20 years. Senior Wildlife Biologist Dr. Robert Suydam’s three decades of research on bowhead and beluga whales as well as his deep involvement with co-management and Alaska Native organizations represents a truly exceptional contribution to the management and science of Alaska’s marine mammal resources. Robert has published well over 200 peer-reviewed papers and technical reports throughout his tenure at the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management on a wide range of species and topics. In addition, he has served on multiple advisory panels and boards that have greatly advanced understanding of the Arctic and Sub-Arctic marine environment, including Science Advisor to the US Marine Mammal Commission, member of the National Research Council, Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North American, member of the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee, advisor to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, and member of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. Moreover, Robert has worked closely with the oil and gas industry in Alaska to ensure that the implementation of sound science-driven policies related to offshore exploration and development facilitated the protections of the arctic environment and fauna potentially impacted by development. One of Robert’s more important and unique achievements has been his long and consistent involvement advancing the use of traditional knowledge in scientific research and management. Robert has been a strong and articulate advocate for Alaskan Native subsistence rights to harvest marine mammals and feed their communities with traditional foods and for high-quality arctic marine science and has worked with North Slope Borough, Alaskan Native, state, federal, and international organizations to ensure that sound science is used to develop marine policy.   Jim Pfeiffenberger will receive the Marine Science Outreach Award. This award is given to a person, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media, or other communications. It is sponsored by the Alaska Ocean Observing System. National Park Service Education Coordinator Jim Pfeiffenberger has done an extraordinary job connecting students and adults of all ages to the wonders, mysteries, challenges, science, and stewardship of Alaska’s marine and coastal ecosystems. From teaching in classrooms located in remote or rural Alaska communities, in-person programs along coastlines or from ships, to virtual and online platforms when the need arose, Jim has embraced every opportunity to connect students to the marine environment, the science that helps to inform its stewardship, management and protection, as well as doing the hard work of cleaning it up. Jim has designed innovative and engaging media that has connected people to Alaska’s eleven coastal parks and their diverse and critically important resources. He has thrived working as the Education Coordinator for the Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center, co-located at Kenai Fjords National Park. Jim has made marine science, ecosystems, and stewardship relevant, meaningful and inspiring for students from K – 12 and beyond, including mentoring college students completing media development internships focused on the work, management, and stewardship of Alaska’s coastal parks and partners. Jim’s professional delivery of education in the field of marine science and outreach has been transformational—shifting the first impressions of students, teachers, and visitors into knowledge and ultimately, into care.   Dr. Tuula Hollmén, D.V.M., Ph.D., will receive the Marine Research Award. This award is sponsored by Drs. Clarence Pautzke and Maureen McCrea. This honor is given to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution to any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. Dr. Hollmén’s career reflects three decades of work on seabird ecology and epidemiology, including twenty years of focus on the threatened Steller’s eider. She applies her veterinary and biology training to a broad portfolio of fieldwork, laboratory analysis, modeling, and teaching. She currently holds positions as a Senior Research Scientist at the Alaska SeaLife Center and as a Research Associate Professor at the College of Fisheries and Ocean Science and the Center for One Health Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She served as the Science Director at the Alaska SeaLife Center (2010-2015) as well as the Eider Program Manager (2002-2020). She is a member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Spectacled and Steller's eider recovery teams, and was the chair for the Steller’s Eider reintroduction committee. She also found time to sit on the North Pacific Research Board Science Panel from 2011 to 2019, serving as Vice Chair from 2014 to 2019. Dr. Hollmén and her team successfully established a captive breeding flock of endangered Steller's eiders at the ASLC to serve as one of the main routes for potential re-introduction of to the wild. Prior to Dr. Hollmén's research at ASLC, Steller’s eiders had never successfully bred in captivity in North America. Most recently, her research has provided groundbreaking insights to the impacts of climate change on Arctic lagoons with real-time implications for marine species conservation efforts.   Ward Cove Dock Group and Norwegian Cruise Line will jointly receivethe Stewardship and Sustainability Award. This award is sponsored by Jason Brune, and honors an industry leader that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. The Mill at Ward Cove is a partnership between Ward Cove Dock Group, LLC and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. that has built a two-berth, floating cruise ship dock and corresponding Welcome Center and Passenger Transit Facility in Ward Cove, near Ketchikan. When the Ketchikan Pulp Mill closed, Ward Cove was found to be contaminated with fuels, paints, and heavy metals as well as large quantities of sunken longs which affected the health of all local marine life. Ward Cove was then declared a Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and was remediated with institutional controls under the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Under the leadership of John Binkley and Dave Spokely, a plan was created to responsibly repurpose this area, which resulted in an innovative design and construction of the largest cruise ship dock in Alaska. This project has transitioned a decaying brownfield site into a place the community takes pride in once again. The advanced design of the dock required fewer pilings to be drilled into the ocean floor, reducing impact on the sand cap. Additionally, the unique construction techniques preserved the sensitive marine environment. Today, with ongoing monitoring, the marine life is thriving in Ward Cove, and Ward Cove Dock Group is committed to preserving this sensitive environment into the future.   Elin Antaya will receive the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award. The Ocean Youth Award is awarded to an individual or team of Alaskan youth up to 19 years old who has displayed a dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. Juneau Douglas High School Senior Elin Antaya cares about our planet and ocean. Elin is currently working in a University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) laboratory in Juneau helping to support research on harmful algal blooms and ocean acidification monitoring. Elin is a 4.0 student and has participated in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl all four years of high school. Last summer she held a Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program Internship funded by the American Fisheries Society where she worked closely with graduate students and faculty from the UAF conducting field and laboratory research. Elin collects old buoys and repurposes them with Alaskan ocean themed art, with the motivation to share Alaska’s diverse marine habitats and honor the diverse fishers and vessels who navigate and enjoy the bounty of our oceans. Elin not only expands on her own scientific knowledge, but also has a vested interest in public scientific education and shows understanding and ability to disseminate complex ecological processes. She has co-published opinion articles in the Juneau Empire and Pacific Fishing explaining the roles that sea otters play in marine ecosystems. Whether she is leading squid dissections with elementary students, saving halibut heads for otolith removal, or picking up workdays at the local oyster farm, Elin continues to share the intrigue of marine organisms with the next generation of researchers. She has applied for and been accepted to many outstanding universities including UAF, Colorado College, UC San Diego, Hawaii Pacific, Quest and Cal Poly Humboldt to study ocean and marine science to continue her desire to be find solutions for the future health of our marine environments. Elin is also an elite dancer, president of the Nordic Club, member of the National Honor Society, and an employee of Salty Lady Seafood Co.     Richard Hocking is this year’s recipient of the Ocean Ambassador Award. The Ocean Ambassador Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in promoting public awareness and appreciation of Alaska’s oceans, coasts, and marine ecosystems. Richard’s passion for the ocean defined his work and his life. He spent 45 years working in the marine science field, beginning with the Seattle Aquarium, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and the Alaska SeaLife Center. Richard served as the Center’s Aquarium Curator from 1998 until his passing in November 2021. Richard was known as one of the most hands-on curators in the building, including designing exhibits, checking water quality, managing permits, and diving for collection trips, all while leading the Aquarium Division for twenty-three years. Richard became widely known as ASLC’s resident nutritionist, and he understood the intricate diets of animals ranging from the smallest sea star to the largest Steller sea lions. His knowledge of marine animal biology and husbandry was unmatched. He co-authored papers ranging trophically from monogenean fish parasites to centuries-old elasmobranchs, and is a widely acknowledged contributor to dozens of research publications and projects. Richard sought out and promoted opportunities for ASLC staff to take part in professional growth opportunities, ensuring that ASLC’s animal care teams remained highly skilled. One of the many activities Richard led was the monitoring for marine aquatic invasive species in Resurrection Bay. Since 2009, Richard has guided ASLC staff and interns in evaluating the health of the bay by surveying the habitat year-round for European green crab, tunicates, and other invasive species and sharing these findings with the Invasive Species Program at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Richard lent his expertise to marine-oriented organizations and activities in the Seward area, including the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery and the Seward Chamber of Commerce Seward Silver Salmon Derby, where he served as the expert fish authority, placing his verification stamp on the winning salmon each year. He strived to educate and motivate the next generation of ocean stewards by assisting in the Center’s after-school Ocean Sciences Club, as a judge during the Alaska National Ocean Sciences Bowl, as a graduate committee member for Alaska Pacific University graduate students, and as an unofficial advisor for every scientist that worked at ASLC. Richard manifested a lifelong stewardship for the ocean and its inhabitants that he expressed through a lifetime of daily acts of service. Richard leaves a legacy of a life led by example, motivated by an enduring belief that ocean life could be used to convey the extraordinary richness of biological diversity, and further, that knowledge of the oceans could be used to spark wonder and inspire others to action.   Congratulations to this year's winners!   

EVOSTC (Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council) has funded a five-year, $12.5 million dollar project focused on education and outreach that will create and maintain a framework that builds the capacity of existing resources within the Exxon Valdez oil spill impacted region. The project ensures that current scientific information, skills, and activities are publicly accessible and serve community needs. It will also incorporate local and traditional knowledge into future research. “We are thrilled to receive EVOSTC support for this innovative multi-year proposal. There is immense potential for an active, collaborative, cross-sector network to positively impact ecosystems and communities that continue to be affected by the 1989 oil spill,” said Wei Ying Wong, Ph.D., Chief Science and Education Officer of the Alaska SeaLife Center. The CORaL (Community Organized Restoration and Learning) Network is a collaboration between six organizations: Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Sea Grant, Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Chugach Regional Resources Commission, and Prince William Sound Science Center. “The Prince William Sound Science Center is excited to collaborate with our CORaL Network partners. This community-centered network will foster new connections between scientists, educators, and people throughout the spill-affected region and will lead to scientific outreach that is co-created and culturally responsive,” said Katrina Hoffman, President and CEO of Prince William Sound Science Center. The six organizations are located throughout the impacted regions from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill ranging from Prince William Sound, Homer, and Kodiak Island. "The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies in Homer, AK is ecstatic to be part of the CORaL collaborative project. We are honored to help facilitate conversations between traditional ecological knowledge holders and EVOSTC-funded scientists and co-create relevant and rewarding outreach and internship programs that benefit local communities,” said Beth Trowbridge, Executive Director of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. The CORaL Network will create multiple pathways for participation including a network website, community sharing, cultural and communication competency learning opportunities, community science and outreach resources, and an intern institute. “Internships are a key part of this five-year project. As a Native organization, we are especially looking forward to the opportunity to mentor young people in heritage preservation. Students will have valuable opportunities to work beside our professional staff and to learn about archaeology, collections care, and public outreach. This work will build cultural competence and pride in students of all heritages.” said April Laktonen Counceller, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Alutiiq Museum. (Photo right: Hunter Simeonoff, a CORaL summer intern at the Alutiiq Museum, participates in excavations at the Nunalleq site, Kodiak Island, June 2022.  Photo Courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum) The project aims to coordinate science outreach between organizations, engage regional youth in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) with the help of scientists, and sustain capacity-building activities such as learning opportunities and internships. “Alaska Sea Grant is excited to join the network and bring our experience working in partnerships to provide outreach and education to coastal communities. In addition to promoting youth, scientific, and community engagement, one of our first efforts will be a data visualization app to collect real-time community observations and turn them around in a useful, accessible format,” said Leigh Lubin, Education Specialist of Alaska Sea Grant. “Chugach Regional Resources Commission is honored to be a part of the CORaL Network project. In direct response to our tribal member's concerns, the network will coordinate regular meetings between local elders, community members, scientists, educators, and outreach specialists where tribes most impacted by the spill will be given the opportunity to collaborate to ensure science and communities are mutually informed by co-created knowledge,” said Willow Hetrick, Executive Director of Chugach Regional Resources Commission.     Organizations in the CORaL Network: ●  Alaska SeaLife Center https://www.alaskasealife.org/ ●  Alaska Sea Grant https://alaskaseagrant.org/ ●  Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository https://alutiiqmuseum.org/ ●  Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies https://www.akcoastalstudies.org/ ●  Chugach Regional Resources Commission https://www.crrcalaska.org/website/ ●  Prince William Sound Science Center https://pwssc.org/     

Seward, Alaska (March 25, 2024) – 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. She is a visionary leader who brings an array of skills and experience, from her deep roots in interdisciplinary and multicultural conservation and education to her extraordinary leadership in advancing equity in zoo and aquarium communities nationally and abroad. Dr. Wong will become President and CEO on March 31.   “I am thrilled that Dr. Wong will be leading the Alaska SeaLife Center,” said ASLC Board Chair Josie Hickel. “Dr. Wong will continue to be a champion of science and research as part of ASLC’s renewed emphasis on delivering its mission in the face of impacts to Alaska’s marine ecosystems from climate change and other environmental factors.” Dr. Wong was chosen after an extensive search that attracted a diverse field of highly qualified candidates. In making its selection, the Board cited Dr. Wong’s passion for ASLC’s mission, her strong organizational leadership experience fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture, and her depth of experience cultivating strategic partnerships that amplify mission impact. “Leading the Center in fulfilling its mission is dear to my heart,” said Dr. Wong. “I was originally attracted to the ASLC because of its reputation for groundbreaking research and the potential in the mission. Over time, my commitment to the organization has deepened as I grew to know the staff and community. The ASLC has the capacity to serve as a formidable science enterprise at the scale it promised at its founding. I truly believe we can become a new driving force for positive global change.” Dr. Wong joined ASLC and the community of Seward in December 2021 when she stepped into her role as ASLC’s Chief Science and Education Officer (CSEO). As CSEO, Dr. Wong reenergized and expanded the science and education programs, working closely with the CEO, Board, and staff to develop and implement a visionary science agenda. Dr. Wong’s efforts to amplify scientific and organizational impact through collaborative grants and fundraising, including successfully launching the Community Organized Restoration and Learning (CORaL) Network, has yielded substantial benefits for ASLC and the community.  Dr. Wong’s experience includes serving in executive roles at the Washington Sea Grant, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Philadelphia Zoo. As an industry leader, Dr. Wong has a strong record of talks, publications, and service. She has received numerous awards and fellowships and is a 2019 graduate of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium Executive Leadership Development Program. “The Board is grateful for the leadership of Dr. Tara Riemer who has served the Center for 20 years, the last 12 years as President and CEO,” Hickel said. “Under her leadership, the Center has grown and developed into a world-class organization providing education, research, and programs that have improved our knowledge of Alaska’s unique marine environment. We are confident that Dr. Wong is the right leader to continue growing ASLC’s leadership in stewarding Alaska’s marine health.” About ASLC  Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a 501(c)(3), non-profit research institution and public aquarium in Seward, Alaska. The Center generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org. 

A statewide rescue effort led by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program brings in five more harbor seal pups from across Alaska The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has admitted five more harbor seal pups to the Wildlife Response Program in the span of twelve days from across the state of Alaska. Of the new patients, two pups remain in poor health, two are in critical condition, and one sadly succumbed to an infection despite intensive care efforts. These cases follow the recent admissions of an orphaned northern sea otter pup and four previously admitted harbor seal patients, all of whom required intensive rehabilitation and veterinary care.    On June 6, a female harbor seal pup was found alone on a beach near Nikiski, Alaska. Photos sent to the ASLC Wildlife Stranding Hotline confirmed that the pup was malnourished and dehydrated, likely from maternal separation. After receiving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approval, the female pup was transported by ASLC volunteers in Kenai all the way to Seward for care. Now identified as patient PV2507, the pup is under the care of ASLC’s veterinary and wildlife response teams. While she remains in a guarded state, she has been stable for the past few days and continues to show slow signs of improvement. On June 10, a male harbor seal pup was admitted from the remote community of Pilot Point, Alaska.  Following a two-flight journey to Anchorage, the pup arrived in increasingly fragile condition. In a critical window where every minute mattered, the owner of Kenai Aviation graciously volunteered to fly the pup directly to Seward on a third and final flight, ensuring he could receive immediate veterinary care. Bloodwork confirmed the pup was battling a severe internal infection, and when his fever spiked above 105 degrees Fahrenheit the morning after his admit, the ASLC veterinary and wildlife response teams moved into critical care mode. Despite hours of intensive treatment, the pup unfortunately succumbed to his condition. The Alaska SeaLife Center extends its sincere gratitude to the Kenai Aviation pilot whose rapid response gave this vulnerable pup the best possible chance. Their support was vital in delivering urgent care when it mattered most, and it didn’t stop there.  The very next morning, on June 11, the Kenai Aviation team once again stepped in to help, transporting another harbor seal pup from Anchorage to Seward. This patient had traveled all the way from Sitka, Alaska, highlighting the statewide reach and rapid coordination of the ASLC Wildlife Response Program. Now identified as PV2509, the female harbor seal pup was found extremely malnourished and dehydrated. She remains in critical condition under close observation and intensive care.  The stream of patients being admitted wasn’t over yet. While the team worked to stabilize patient PV2509, the ASLC was monitoring a pup in a popular fishing area in Homer. At the beginning, an adult seal was observed briefly returning to the pup, but as the pup remained in a high-traffic area, more interactions between the pup and people were documented. Her condition deteriorated, and concerns grew. With no further sign of the mother and the pup’s health declining, authorization was granted. She was transported to the ASLC late on the night of June 12. She is now known as patient PV2511.  A few days later, on June 17, a seal pup near Egegik was reported alone. Photos sent showed a pup in lanugo with an umbilicus, indicating this was a premature seal. The next day, he was still in the area and there had been reports of people interacting with him.  Due to his condition and location, this animal was also authorized for recovery and rehabilitation. Thanks to the generous help of Coastal Air LLC, he was flown to King Salmon on short notice so he could make his flight to Anchorage. Harbor seal PV2512 is currently under critical care due to his delicate condition. Unfortunately, these most recent patient admits highlight the serious impacts human presence can have on harbor seal pups during pupping season. One of the most significant threats to these pups is disturbance from people and pets. If a mother seal is interrupted or feels unsafe, especially in high-traffic areas, she may abandon her pup. Once abandoned, a pup’s chances of survival drop sharply, particularly during the early days when it relies entirely on its mother’s milk for nutrition, immune support, and growth. It is critical to give seals space and share coastal areas responsibly. Never approach, touch, or attempt to move a seal pup. Keep children and pets well away from haul-out sites and known pupping areas. Approaching or disturbing a marine mammal can cause lasting harm, pose safety risks to people, and may violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Responsible viewing helps ensure that young animals have the best possible chance to grow and survive in the wild. If you do see a seal pup in distress, the Alaska SeaLife Center remains ready to respond to reports of stranded and injured marine mammals statewide. Call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL (7325). We encourage all Alaskans and visitors to save this number in their phone contacts—and remember, always call first before approaching any stranded or injured wildlife.             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 Alaska, 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, M.E. Webber Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.        

Orphaned Otter Pup and Two Seal Pups Join Growing Patient List at Alaska’s Only Permanent Marine Mammal Rehab Facility The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has admitted three new patients in just four days, including an orphaned male sea otter pup from Homer on June 23. In addition, two orphaned harbor seal pups were admitted — a harbor seal pup from Nikiski on June 20, followed by another harbor seal pup from Juneau on June 23. The pup from Nikiski is currently receiving veterinary treatment, and the pup from Juneau, the smallest and most underweight patient admitted so far this season, did not make it despite intensive care efforts. Including the most recent admits, there are now 12 animals in rehabilitative care at the ASLC, with many still in critical condition and receiving life-saving veterinary care.  “We’ve had busy seasons before, but this is a notable number of admits early on in the season,” said Jane Belovarac, ASLC Wildlife Response Curator and Licensed Veterinary Technician. “With harbor seal pupping season continuing through mid-July, we’re staying prepared. We don’t yet know what the coming weeks will bring.” As Alaska’s only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility, the ASLC plays a vital role in responding to orphaned and injured marine animals from across the state’s vast and remote coastlines. Every case requires coordination, expertise, and long-term commitment from the ASLC’s small but dedicated team. One of the most recent examples of that commitment came just days ago, when a young sea otter pup was found stranded near Homer, Alaska. A community member spotted the pup alone on a beach in Homer and called ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline. The pup was found unusually far from the water during low tide, and his mother was nowhere in sight. After hours alone, birds began to approach the vulnerable pup, and the team knew they needed to act. With authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the ASLC Wildlife Response Team coordinated the pup’s safe transport to Seward for immediate care. In their earliest weeks of life, sea otter pups are entirely dependent on their mothers for survival. Mothers provide near-constant care, including feeding, grooming, and maintaining the pup’s coat to ensure it stays clean and waterproof, which is critical for staying warm and buoyant. When a pup is orphaned, these responsibilities fall to the ASLC’s Wildlife Response Team, which is currently providing round-the-clock care to give the recently admitted pup the strongest chance at survival. “We believe this pup is about two weeks old, and is now under 24/7 care and showing encouraging signs,” said Jane Belovarac, Wildlife Response Curator at ASLC. “He’s alert, taking the bottle well, and has already started practicing holding his breath while in the water, which is a great early milestone. His temperature and glucose levels are stable.  As his body adjusts to drinking formula, we are watching him closely for signs of constipation, which is always a challenge for pups transitioning to new food.” This pup joins another female sea otter pup rescued from Homer earlier this month, who continues to make steady progress. The female pup has now been given the name Un’a, which means “that out in the open water” in the language of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people. It’s a fitting name, they say, for a special pup who has shown strong resilience in her recovery.    Un’a remains under close observation for a front limb injury that is slow to heal. While obvious on radiographs, it does not appear to bother her, and she is using the limb normally. Her energy levels are improving, and she frequently engages with enrichment toys, dives deep in her pool, and eats solid foods — all positive signs that she’s meeting milestones in her development. For updates on all 12 of the patients currently admitted, follow the Alaska SeaLife Center on Instagram and Facebook at @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter. Our team is busy providing top-notch care to patients, but we’ll share updates as often as we can.  Call First! If you encounter a stranded or injured marine animal in Alaska, contact ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL(7325). Do not approach or attempt to move the animal. 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. Supporters can help provide vital care for marine animals in need by donating at www.alaskasealife.org/donate.      The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips Alaska, 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, M. E. Webber Foundation, The Theresa Bannister Fund, and the NC Giving Fund.