Female Elephant Seal is Alaska SeaLife Center’s First Marine Mammal Patient of 2022 Elephant seals are a rare species for the Center’s Wildlife Response Program The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted the first marine mammal patient of the year to its Wildlife Response Program, a 1-year-old female elephant seal from Seward. Within a week, the care of this animal concluded with a successful release of the seal back to the ocean. Since opening in 1998, the ASLC has responded to only thirteen elephant seals. It is normal for elephant seals to spend the summer in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutians, but it is rare for them to travel into Resurrection Bay and haul out on the beach. The ASLC Wildlife Response Team first started monitoring this animal after a call to the ASLC Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-SEAL). The caller reported an elephant seal hauled out on the main boat ramp in the Seward Boat Harbor on March 19, 2022. The animal appeared bloated and lethargic, but was seen retreating to the water later that day during high tide. ASLC received two more reports of the elephant seal hauling out in other locations around the boat harbor. When the animal was observed for the third time, the Wildlife Response Team determined that intervention was necessary. After receiving approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the animal was transported to the Center with the help of the Coast Guard on March 21, 2022. Upon the initial admit exam, the main concerns of the veterinary team were the animal’s bloated appearance and unusual lethargy. It was also clear that the seal was going through its annual catastrophic molt. “Elephant seals will haul out on Alaska beaches during their annual catastrophic molt. Because of this molt, they can look and sound sickly compared to your typical harbor seal. Elephant seals will have superficial wounds over their body because they don’t just lose their hair, they shed the underlying layer of skin when they molt,” ASLC Wildlife Response Curator, Jane Belovarac notes. “When this particular elephant seal was first observed, our main concern was the bloating and labored breathing. We assumed that the superficial wounds were due to a molt, and our intake exam confirmed those suspicions." The bloating subsided quickly, and the blood and fecal analysis came back with no additional concerning results. The Veterinary and Wildlife Response Teams determined that the best course of action for the large seal would be to return her to the ocean as soon as possible, in hopes that she would not haul out in the busy Seward boat harbor again. On March 24, 2022, the ASLC Wildlife Response Team successfully released the elephant seal at Lowell Point, about two miles south of downtown Seward. Local volunteers assisted the team in lifting and walking the 320-pound seal, who was safely enclosed in a specially-designed large metal kennel, to the beach. She easily went into the water and headed toward the open ocean. Since then, we have not had any more sightings. Call 1-888-774-SEAL(7325) if you see any marine mammal in distress. Also, If you happen to see an elephant seal on a beach anywhere in Alaska, especially if it has a flipper tag, please call the ASLC hotline. It is good information the ASLC team can relay to the scientists who study them. The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can provide care for animals like this seal because of donations from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of this patient here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from companies like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, GCI, and a number of individual donors. About Elephant Seals The northern elephant seal is the largest of the “true” seals in the Northern Hemisphere, which are categorized by lacking any external ear features. Adult males use their large inflatable noses during the winter breeding season to resonate sound when vocally threatening each other. They have one of the longest migrations of any mammal, with some recorded traveling over 13,000 miles roundtrip. Although northern elephant seals are known to visit the Gulf of Alaska to feed, they rarely are found on the beaches of Alaska. About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and a 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.  

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()         In Antarctica, every day is a work day! If weather permits, the team is up early prepping their gear. Then it's out to the ice for a day of tagging or recapturing seals. When weather conditions are poor, the team spends their time catching up on lab work, downloading data, and maintaining equipment. Watch the video below to learn more about what daily life was like for one of the researchers on this project. VIDEO: A DAY IN THE LIFE John Skinner discusses his daily routine as part of the team working with Weddell seals in Antarctica. (4:21) Video Transcript My name is John Skinner, I’m a Research Associate here at the Alaska SeaLife Center, and I was a part of the team that went down there for this research. Mostly as a logistics coordinator, meaning that I was the one who coordinated all the stuff that we were using out in the field to make sure that it made it from McMurdo station out to the site safely, and that the equipment was being set up properly. A typical day for us was we would start somewhat close to mid-day, because that’s actually the optimal time to find animals hauled out on the ice. We’d get our gear together at the lab and then we would hand carry it out to what they call the Ski-Doo line, where all the snow machines are lined up. My job was to unbury them after the last storm, get them running, warmed up and ready to carry the group out to the field site. Part 1: The Capture When we get out to the site, we have all our equipment and we’ve identified an animal that we’re going to work with that day. One of the huge advantages of the Weddell seals is they just don’t have a response to predators, they don’t really understand that there’s anything dangerous about us. So often a capture event just consisted of walking up to the animal, taking a look to make sure it’s safe for us to approach, and safe for the animal for us to approach, and then taking a large hood, and then sliding it over their head. As soon as the hood goes over they just lay there, and it’s done. They don’t fight, there’s no struggle. We send the vet in and then sedate the animal to make sure that they would be safe to work with. Then my job would kick in, that’s when I would unload the hundred or so pounds of gear and set-up our tripod over the top of the animal and get the animal into a sling, a net the animal could be rolled into, and then hoist the animal into the air and get our weight, our mass. Once we got that mass we would bring out our big tent which was this very compact-when-stored system. We would fold it out, and then basically envelope the people and the animal inside of this tent. Once this was set up we’d work within there safely and actually it was pretty warm inside. First off we would get a blood sample and then we would go ahead and do some measurements of the animal. We need a length and a girth. Then we would start to prep the animal to put the instruments, the data loggers that we use, onto the animal. We had several heat-flux sensors along the animal’s body, at different locations where we’re trying to capture the distribution of heat that the animal is giving off. Then it was just about waking the animal up, making sure that they were happy and healthy before we were willing to let them go off on their own and enter the water again. Part 2: The Recapture When we leave the animal we have a plan for how long they need to stay out in the water for us to collect enough data. So we could sit there at our desks and track the animal’s progress and we had a schedule of when we planned to pick the animal up, but if we saw them moving out towards the open ice edge there was a good possibility we could lose the animal for good and never get those instruments back. So we would track them on a daily basis and see where they were going and then decide pretty much each day a schedule of who we needed to pickup and what a priority that animal would be. We’d start out with a GPS coordinate that we could get from this ARGOS, which is the on-board instrument's tracking system, to head out and we knew approximately where we needed to go. Once we got within a kilometer or two of the animal’s actual location (according to ARGOS) we would use signals from the VHF portion of that, we could track using a handheld antenna. Once we located the animal’s position we would go in and basically assess the situation from a distance, sneaking in and kind of cutting off its path to the water and then putting the hood on it and getting the instruments off and then, just sigh of relief. We don’t stop. Our research is every day, there are no weekends down on the ice. Once back at the station at the end of the day, there's more work to be done. Scientists examine their data, sort and store samples, and clean and repack their gear. Finally, it's time to head to the dining hall, then off to bed to rest up for another day. Scientists come to Antarctica ready to work hard - and the team will continue this daily routine for nearly two months! When the summer melt makes working conditions on the sea ice unsafe, it's time to pack up and return home. Once back in their labs, the science team can finally sit down and begin the process of interpreting their results.       WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?   RECAPTURE (v) - to capture an animal again   INTERPRET (v) - to find the meaning of something  

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? CONTINENTAL SHELF - the area of shallow ocean water around the edge of a continent before the seabed slopes down into the deep ocean HAUL OUT (v) - to leave the water and rest on land, rocks, or floating ice HAULOUT (n) - a place where marine mammals leave the water to rest STAMPEDE - a sudden rush of many individuals, usually in a panic DISTURBANCE - when an animal or group of animals changes its behavior as a result an event           In the cold northern ocean between Alaska and Russia, freezing weather is possible during any month of the year. Throughout the long winter, temperatures in the Arctic are so cold that the surface of the ocean freezes for millions of square miles! Remarkably, animals like the Pacific walrus are adapted to live in this chilly climate, and they use sea ice as part of their habitat. In recent summers, scientists and local residents have noticed less sea ice than normal in the Arctic. In September 2009, sea ice in the Chukchi Sea melted past the edge of the continental shelf. As a result, 3,500 walruses who usually rest in small groups on floating sea ice were forced to haul out together on land at Icy Cape. Something startled the walrus while they were resting there. When startled, walrus will leave their haulout and rush into the water. As the huge group of walrus at Icy Cape rushed to the water, younger and smaller animals were trampled. Alaska SeaLife Center scientists and veterinarians were on the team that was sent to Icy Cape after the stampede. They found more than 130 young walrus dead on the beach. This dramatic scene sparked their interest in studying walrus. Land-based haulouts in the Chukchi Sea were first seen in the United States less than ten years ago. A walrus's choice to haul out on land is directly linked to the availablity of sea ice. If ice is available within their range, they will haul out on it. If ice is not available, they will haul out on land. Scientists fear that, if we continue to have summers with less-than-normal sea ice, events like the stampede at Icy Cape will become more common. Scientists at the Alaska SeaLife Center want to understand how walrus use these new land haulouts. They also want to learn how walrus will respond to disturbances while they are on land. The challenge is that walrus live in isolated, wild areas spread across a huge region. To study walrus, scientists must find a way to observe them closely without causing any disturbance events themselves. How will the scientists do it? Join our team as they come up with a plan. To get started, let's learn more about the Icy Cape stampede by checking out the videos and news release below. You'll be amazed how crowded the walrus haulouts can get! VIDEO: Icy Cape Stampede 2009 When large numbers of walrus haul out together on land, a disturbance event can mean disaster. This video, including images from the 2009 Icy Cape stampede, examines what can happen when walrus haul out on land in large groups. (1 minute) Video Transcript Over the past few decades, sea ice in the Arctic has been shrinking at increasing rates. When the ice recedes past the continental shelf, walrus females and calves are forced to leave the ice and haul out on shore to stay near their feeding grounds. As you can see in this video taken near Point Lay in 2011, conditions on shore can get very crowded. If the walruses are disturbed, they may rush to the water in a massive stampede. In September 2009 scientists observed thousands of walruses hauling out together on land near Icy Cape on the shore of the Chukchi Sea. When researchers surveyed the area a few days later, they found over 130 walruses dead on the beach. Veterinarians and scientists from the Alaska SeaLife Center and other organizations investigated the event and determined that most of the fatalities were young animals that had died as a result of a stampede. Though the cause of this disturbance at Icy Cape is unknown, the number of fatalities can be attributed to the crowded conditions at the haul out.   Click here for more information on walrus haulout events in Alaska's North Slope Borough, including the 2009 Icy Cape event.   Now that we've observed the same event that sparked the interest of our Alaska SeaLife Center marine mammal research team, let's learn more about Pacific walrus and what they need to survive.      

Extreme climate events are being experienced worldwide, and Alaska ecosystems, unfortunately, have a front-row seat. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes, are having profound environmental impacts, and are expected to continue for decades to come.One of these extreme climate events, called the Pacific marine heatwave, occurred between 2014 and 2016. During this time, water temperatures rose far above normal conditions and had expansive ecological impacts throughout the Gulf of Alaska and northeast Pacific Ocean. Luckily, the Chiswell Steller Sea Lion Remote Video Monitoring team (the ASLC Chiswell team) has been monitoring the Endangered population of Steller sea lions for nearly 25 years — long before the Pacific marine heatwave occurred. This western population of Steller sea lions was  listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1997 following a major population decline. The ASLC Chiswell team has monitored this population since 1998 and has seen a general increase in the population over the years until 2016. The ASLC Chiswell team conducts multiple population surveys each year in the area around Resurrection Bay and monitors the Steller sea lion rookery called Chiswell Island through remote video cameras controlled at the Center.  The population data collected through the Pacific marine heatwave showed a continued increase in the population through 2015.  The peak impact of the heatwave occurred during the winter of 2015 and into 2016, and the Chiswell team began to see significant declines in pups and adults in the summer of 2016. Changes in food availability likely played some role in the decline. Dr. John Maniscalco, Ph. D. — a lead scientist at the ASLC — recently published a peer-reviewed article in Global Ecology and Conservation that looks at how the Pacific marine heatwave could have affected the winter diets of the Endangered population of Steller sea lions in Alaska over this time frame.  Winter is considered a critical time for Steller sea lions as it is likely the most energetically challenging time of the year. In addition to regulating their body temperatures in freezing Alaskan waters, adult female sea lions can be both lactating and pregnant with new pups, which they will birth in the coming summer. Limited food availability during the winter months could have dire outcomes for adult females, leading them to abort growing fetuses, wean their pups too early, or put their own survival at risk. Winter is also a high-risk season for scientists, as harsh and unpredictable weather at sea makes regular surveys logistically challenging, if not impossible. So how do scientists find out what sea lions are eating during this critical time period? The answer lies not in the sea lions, but in what they leave behind: scat samples.   Continue reading the full update on the ASLC blog: https://stories.alaskasealife.org/2023/05/01/changes-in-ssl-winter-diets/

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.           

  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()         Designing a research project takes a lot of careful thought. Before scientists can be awarded funds to begin their project, they must design a detailed proposal explaining what they hope to learn with their study. This process begins with a scientific question and expands to include what the scientists expect to find, also known as a hypothesis. VIDEO: RESEARCH QUESTIONS Dr. Katrin Iken outlines the team's research questions for the sea ice project. (1:45) Video Transcript "My name is Katrin Iken, and I am a faculty member here in the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and my specialty as a faculty member is in Marine Biology. "A big question in this project is- what is the significance of the sea ice for the (eco)system, and what would it mean if sea ice were to go away if climate becomes warmer, so we need to understand what happens, how organisms react to this. My specific role was to look at loss of sea ice in terms of how important is that sea ice for the food web. "What I like about the benthic environment in a way is that it stays where it is. They don't move a whole lot. The conditions around it might change, but the organisms themselves actually stay in place. If you are a worm sitting in the mud, then you are sitting in that mud, you're not moving around a whole lot. Even if they move they often move over very small areas. That's very different than water column organisms that get just swept away with currents. "So if I am interested in how do conditions in a certain region change over time, again we are investigating quite a bit of climate change related scenarios, then having something that stays in place and is exposed to changing conditions, you can actually look at how changes are reflected in those organisms." Scientists hypothesize that the algae that grows on sea ice is an important food source for primary consumers living in the pelagic and benthic zones. They are concerned that, as ice conditions change as result of changing climate, it will affect the species that rely on this ice algae. The problem is, little data had been collected in the past, so not much was known about how much ice algae grows in the Bering Sea in spring or which species of animals were eating it. During the spring of 2008, 2009 and 2010, Dr. Gradinger and his colleagues completed field work in the eastern Bering Sea in an effort to answer these questions with financial support from the National Science Foundation (award 0732767). In order to test their hypotheses, Dr. Iken and the other scientists had to develop a plan. How would they get to the Bering Sea?  What tools would they use to sample and study the ice and the ice algae?  How would they discover which species were dependent on sea ice and how the food web fit together?  All of these challenges had to be carefully considered before the team even traveled to the field. After all, once you’re out in the middle of the Bering Sea, there’s no going back for something you forgot!         WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?   PROPOSAL (n)- a plan put forward for consideration; in this case, a science project   HYPOTHESIS (n)- a proposed explanation to a question that must be tested   FOOD WEB (n)- all the interconnected food chains in an ecosystem   DATA (n)- factual information    

Seward, Alaska (September 9, 2021) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is launching their virtual Small Fry School again this fall.  This free weekly program, geared towards preschoolers, will be live-streamed from the ASLC YouTube channel. Each 30-minute program will begin at 11AM Alaska time every Tuesday starting September 14, 2021 until May 10, 2022. “As a father of preschoolers myself, I am happy we can offer home education options during these difficult times. Until the under-five crowd can get vaccinated, I know how hard it can be to find interactive learning options for our children. Virtual Small Fry School is a fun and informative way for young learners to discover the wonders of our natural world,” states Senior Education Manager, Jeff Dillon.  A new ocean-themed topic will be introduced during each class and will include a story and activities for preschoolers and their parents. No additional materials will need to be purchased to participate, but some common household items will help with various activities. Suggested items will be announced on the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Facebook event page before each class. The public is encouraged to subscribe to the Alaska SeaLife Center on YouTube so they can easily tune in to the program: www.youtube.com/user/AKSeaLifeCenter. Small Fry School is made possible by the generous support of Alaska 529. ASLC launched an in-person Small Fry School in 2018, but could not continue the program due to the pandemic. In 2020, Alaska 529 graciously donated $20,000 so the Center could resume the program virtually. “We’re delighted to support Small Fry School and its educational mission. This wonderful series allows youth from anywhere in the world to learn about Alaska’s unique marine life at the Alaska SeaLife Center,” said Alaska 529 Executive Director, Lael Oldmixon.  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: Alaska 529 has been making it easy to save for education in Alaska anywhere for twenty years. 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 Alaska529plan.com.

    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() WELCOME, TEACHERS! The Alaska SeaLife Center and Gulf Watch Alaska are excited to present this virtual field trip (VFT)! Join the Gulf Watch Alaska team of scientists as they discover the mechanisms behind a mystery unfolding in the Gulf of Alaska. Learn about the work of a collaborative team of scientists from many different ocean science disciplines, and follow along with the narrator as she explores the scientists’ process of initially observing unusual phenomena in the Gulf of Alaska and seek to discover the causes and connections. You can use this VFT in conjunction with the “Gulf Watch Alaska: Long-term monitoring” VFT, or as a stand-alone piece. GRADE LEVEL: 6-8th TIME NEEDED: Between one and four 1-hour class periods (teachers may choose to use all or only some of the supplementary lessons). NUTSHELL: Students will learn about the mystery of the seabird die-off that occurred in the Gulf of Alaska, during the winter of 2015 – 2016. They will explore various aspects of the investigation and how, collectively, the scientists were able to begin uncovering the mechanisms behind the extreme die-off event.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completing this virtual field trip, students will be able to: • Understand the process of scientific thinking and the use of the Scientific Method as a tool to develop questions and search for answers. • Understand the collaborative nature of science and how researchers from various disciplines working together can provide a ‘big picture’ view of a dynamic marine ecosystem. • Explain how an ecosystem is composed of many different components, including physical and chemical processes that drive the ecosystem and determine the conditions for survival of marine life. • Use evidence to make a claim about the cause or causes of a change in a population. BACKGROUND: In this virtual field trip, students will meet various scientists and researchers working for the Gulf Watch Alaska long-term ecosystem monitoring program, a project of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, investigating the marine ecosystems since the 1989 oil spill. This program focusses on a recent mystery that has unfolded in the Gulf of Alaska, beginning with the observation of an extreme seabird die-off event. Organized into three main pages, this VFT follows researchers along on an investigation to uncover what caused this mortality event. This VFT can be used in a number of ways. Individuals may navigate through the pages on their own and meet the scientists through the links provided on the right-hand bar. Self-guided exploration can be completed in a couple of hours. Alternatively, teachers may facilitate a structured experience, working through each page of the VFT together in class. Lesson plans (links included on the right-hand column of this page) are available to supplement online content. TO USE THIS VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP YOU WILL NEED: • Internet access, video streaming capabilities • Projection system (with audio) to display content or a computer lab (with headphones) • Corresponding lesson plans (linked as PDFs in the right hand column of this page) UNABLE TO RUN THE STREAMING VERSION? REQUEST A FREE COPY OF ALL MATERIALS ON CD BY EMAILING education@alaskasealife.org. 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 all the classes and programs we offer, including our inquiry-based Distance Learning programs, visit our website at www.alaskasealife.org.         CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENTS Use the .pdf links below to access classroom activities for each section of the Gulf Watch Alaska virtual field trip experience. Lesson 1: Observation Observation Poster Template Lesson 2: Investigation Lesson 3: Discovery          

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? HYPOTHESIS (n) - a scientific explanation to a problem. Scientists form hypotheses to explain something that they observed. Scientists then test the hypothesis to determine how true it is.               Questions   Dr. Lori Polasek is a marine mammal scientist. When she has a scientific question, she designs a research project to help her find answers. She wants to learn how walrus use land haulouts. Dr. Polasek works together with her team to decide which specific questions they hope to answer. With this project, the team wants to learn: How many walruses are using a haulout? How long are they at the haulout? How often do the walruses use a haulout site? They already know that walruses are easily startled by things like airplanes or predators in the area, so they also want to learn more about how walrus react to disturbances while hauled out on land. Watch the videos below to learn more about the questions and hypotheses Dr. Polasek plans to look at with her study. VIDEO: DR. POLASEK'S RESEARCH Questions Learn what questions Dr. Polasek had about walrus that made her want to study them. (1 minute) Video Transcript Why did you want to study walruses? I think walruses as a whole are a very interesting species, they’re very tactile and gregarious. Why I specifically wanted to look at this particular study with walruses is because we had the mortality event that you guys heard about in 2009, where with ice loss moms and calves moved onto a land haulout, and we don’t really understand how the population will interact with humans and other species while they’re hauled out. What questions did you have? The question that I wanted to specifically look at was: what causes walruses to abandon a haulout – what disturbs them – and then how long does it take for them to come back?   VIDEO: DR. POLASEK'S Hypotheses Dr. Polasek explains four hypotheses that she will be testing in this investigation. (1 minute) Video Transcript What are your hypotheses? For this project we have four primary hypotheses specifically looking at disturbance: 1. The first hypothesis is that the new emerging haulouts will have a different reaction than the established haulouts. 2. That ice extent will impact how the two different haulouts will respond to disturbance events. 3. That mother and calves using the new haulouts will have a different reaction to disturbance events than males that are using the pre-established haulouts. 4. And lastly, that the time for recovery from a disturbance event will be different with the females and calves on the new haulouts versus the established haulouts with males. To answer these research questions, Dr. Polasek and her team needed to come up with a way to consistently observe walrus on their haulouts. Join the researchers as they develop a plan for watching walrus.        

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) opened phase one of the Rocky Coast Discovery Pools on May 29, 2021.  Development of the new touch pool exhibit began with design work in 2017. Installation required a complete demolition of the former touch pool originally built in 1998. The new 1,100-gallon exhibit, equipped with six pools, was inspired by similar exhibits at various Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities in the United States.  The Center is appreciative of generous supporters that made the exhibit possible including ConocoPhillips Alaska, First National Bank Alaska, Matson, Shoreside Petroleum, Petro Marine Services, and the Lindsey Family. Acquiring materials to build the ambitious design was a herculean effort during a pandemic, and Matson donated a significant portion of tank transportation. “As a leading carrier of goods to Alaska, Matson feels a sense of obligation to help make Alaska a better place to live. Supporting the construction of a new touch pool is one way we can help increase Alaskans’ access to education while supporting the health of Alaska’s marine environment. We look forward to seeing the new touch pool in action and the future marine scientists it inspires,” said Matson Senior Vice President Alaska, Bal Dreyfus. The Center was very appreciative to see contributions to the exhibit from long term supporters like ConocoPhillips Alaska. “ConocoPhillips Alaska has been investing in the Alaska SeaLife Center for more than 20 years, supporting important educational programs and critical projects, including the unique, interactive touch pools, and the ‘Save the Alaska SeaLife Center’ community campaign. The Center is entrusted to be a steward of this unique marine ecosystem, and ConocoPhillips Alaska and our many dedicated employees are proud to support this important work,” states ConocoPhillips Alaska President, Erec Isaacson. The Lindsey Family has not only contributed to this new exhibit, but also helped shape the concept of the Center before it opened. “We, as a family, are especially happy to be participants in the creation of this fantastic new exhibit at the Alaska SeaLife Center. My late husband, Dale, and I were personally involved in the original founding of the Center, and our family has continued with ongoing support since that long-ago opening day event, May 2, 1998. We are excited to see the fruition of the dream of a new and wonderful touch pool,” recounts Carol Ann Lindsey. Kurt R. Lindsey, President and CEO of Shoreside Petroleum and Petro Marine Services, is an equally strong supporter of the Center. “The Alaska SeaLife Center is a treasure that Alaskans and visitors alike can take pride in. The facility reflects the beauty of our State, the amazing creatures that God has created, and the need to be responsible stewards of our environment. All of us at Shoreside Petroleum and Petro Marine are grateful for the opportunity to partner with others to help make this exhibit possible,” states Lindsey. The ASLC team wanted to ensure empathy and accessibility was highlighted in the touch pool design to create an educational and engaging experience for all. This goal was reflected in the project contributors, especially First National Bank Alaska. “First National Bank Alaska’s commitment to the education of Alaska’s youth is a key component of our mission to support the communities we serve,” said Betsy Lawer, First National Board Chair and CEO. “What better way to honor that commitment than this donation to Alaska SeaLife Center’s new touch pools. They are an integral part in this world-class research and education facility’s efforts to help Alaskans experience the wonders of our amazing marine environment." The touch pools are available to explore during normal operating hours. The Alaska SeaLife Center is operating with controlled capacity to ensure a safe and enjoyable visitor experience. All guests, including members, are encouraged to reserve timed tickets in advance to secure their desired entry time: www.alaskasealife.org/tickets.  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.

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) announces the opening of the nomination period for the 2022 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. ASLC established the Awards to recognize those who have made significant contributions to ocean sciences, education, and resource management in Alaska. Nominations for the 2022 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards are open now through December 10, 2021.      The award categories are as follows: Walter J. & Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to an individual or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 or more years. $1,000 cash prize. Sponsored by the late Governor Walter J. and the late Ermalee Hickel. Stewardship & Sustainability Award: Awarded to an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Sponsored by Jason Brune. Marine Research Award: Awarded to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution or a career spanning achievement in any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Dr. Clarence Pautzke and Dr. Maureen McCrea. Marine Science Outreach Award: Awarded to a person, team, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media, or other communications about Alaska’s marine ecosystems. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Alaska Ocean Observing System. Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award: Awarded to an individual or team of Alaskan youth ages 12-19 who has displayed dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Dale Hoffman. To make a nomination for any of these awards, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center website https://www.alaskasealife.org/alaska_ocean_leadership_awards or email oceanawards@alaskasealife.org. About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.

Seward, AK – March 29, 2017– The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has admitted its first stranded marine mammal of 2017, a yearling ringed seal from Dutch Harbor. Following on the heels of a record breaking year in 2016 for the Center’s wildlife response team, ASLC President and CEO, Tara Riemer says wildlife response is shifting from a primarily summer activity to a steady year-round concern. “Over the past two years we have experienced a significant increase in total calls to our wildlife response hotline and in cases requiring action from our team. Based on what we have seen thus far in 2017, we expect this increased activity level to continue,” said Riemer. “The other trend we are seeing is that wildlife response is no longer primarily a summer activity. This has required a significant increase in staffing and allocation of our resources to ensure the high level of response and veterinary care to which the Alaska SeaLife Center is committed.” The recently admitted ringed seal first came to the attention of responders on February 26 following a call from a concerned citizen in Dutch Harbor. Community responders continued to observe the animal for several days at differing locations during which no physical abnormalities or injuries were observed. However, the ringed seal was approximately 250 miles out of its normal range, increasingly lethargic and appearing to avoid the water. With authorization for the rescue from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Alaska SeaLife Center, the seal was transported to Anchorage courtesy of PenAir where it was met by ASLC’s wildlife responders. When the ringed seal arrived at the Alaska SeaLife Center on March 3, she weighed 13.2 kilograms (29 pounds). Upon admission the seal’s coat was in good condition but she was underweight and severely dehydrated. The seal quickly transitioned to eating fish on her own. Further examination revealed that the seal was not maintaining body temperature and was severely parasitized. She is currently in “good but guarded” condition.   The Alaska SeaLife Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is the only permitted marine mammal rehabilitation center in Alaska, responding with authorization from NOAA and the USFWS to wildlife across the state such as seals, walrus and sea otters. Staff at the Center work with community partners to assess animals and when appropriate transport them to the Center for care. For most seals admitted to the Center, treatment and rehabilitation is a three month process. NOAA has determined that ringed seals rehabilitated outside of their usual range are not releasable; therefore, the seal will be cared for at ASLC until a long-term placement facility is identified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            *Veterinarians at the Alaska SeaLife Center give a comprehensive health exam to a stranded ringed seal that was admitted on March 3, 2017 through the Center’s wildlife response program. The Center says it is seeing a significant increase in total annual cases as well as a shift from a primarily summer activity to a steady year-round concern. (Photo: ASLC)  “With these trends it is increasingly important for the Alaska SeaLife Center to maintain ongoing dialogue with coastal communities to keep each other informed regarding potential issues that may be impacting wildlife,” said Riemer. “Alaskans everywhere have a strong bond with marine wildlife from traditional culture and subsistence to tourism and local pride.”  Over 80% of the funding for the ASLC’s wildlife response program comes from charitable donations. “We especially thank individual Alaskans all across the state, our visitors, and corporate partners at BP Alaska, ConocoPhillips Alaska, GCI and PetZoo for their generous contributions to the Center in support of wildlife rescue,” said Riemer.  The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine mammals or birds,and encourages people whohave found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approaching the animal.  Call first!  1-888-774-SEAL. High resolution photos available from media@alaskasealife.org; 907-422-7075. About the Alaska SeaLife Center: 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.     

  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()         A research vessel is a busy place! On a ship the size of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, several groups of scientists will be working on the boat at once, each with their own research project. Watch the video below to learn about what daily life was like as the research team collected samples for their sea ice project. VIDEO: A DAY IN THE LIFE Martin Schuster describes daily life working as a research technician on the sea ice project. (2:45) Video Transcript "My name is Martin. I've been a grad students at UAF (University of Alaska Fairbanks) in the Masters program in Marine Biology for about four years now. "In the sea ice project working with Rolf my role was as technician, so I was basically organizing our gear before we would go out, and making sure all our sleds were loaded up with all the various paraphernalia that you need to go out and dirll holes in the sea ice and sample water. Our project was to get off the ice breaker on either a little ladder that they would lower down to the ice, or with a helicopter, which was the preferred way to do it. My job was basically to pack all the gear before we got out. To double, triple check and make sure that we had everything, because once you're twenty miles away from the ice breaker, if you forget something it's not a good thing. And then once we got onto the ice we would unpack everything. We would take some ice cores and then we would section the ice cores so that we could look at each individual strata in the sea ice later on and determine what kind of biota is living inside there. We'd also cut a larger hole in the sea ice so we could lower a device called a ctd. This thing would basically give us various water temperature and clorofil readings as it goes down into the water and then we'd pull it back up by hand. Most of the work was definitely getting things together and then cleaning up afterword. You have a pretty limited time on the ice and you want to get as much work done as you can. And then as soon as you're done it's time to go back to the ship because of polar bears." Text on screen "Wait a second.... POLAR BEARS" Martin: "It was a worry, I mean whenever we were on the ice directly from the ship we had what's called a bear guard. It was a Coast Guard person, fully dressed up in their survival suit with a rifle. And they would stand and watch us the whole time, just to make sure there were no bears around. So it was expected that we would see some bears, but sadly we did not. "We were just out during the day which was really neat because we got to see every sunrise and sunset, which on the sea ice is just spectacular. It was really, really cool. Just go, go go all the time. Whenever there's a chance to work, we were working. You get into sort of a motion after the first couple days, and time just starts to fly by. You really lose all sense of what day it is in the week, because it doesn't really matter. You have your work cut out for you that day, you know what you're going to do. You set all your stuff out, and you just do it. One day just begins to blend into the next. And it's actually better to be busy on a ship like that than it is to be idle, because you can get bored pretty easily. At the end of the busy day there's still work to be done. Back on the ship, the scientists have to download data to their computers and store samples for later analysis. Finally, they repack the gear for another day on the ice. On the USCGC Healy, every day is a work day. The team will continue this routine each day for several weeks! The team is excited to begin piecing together the food web, but analysis will have to wait until later, back in the lab in Fairbanks.       WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?   BIOTA (n)- the animal or plant life in an area   CHLOROPHYLL (n)- a green pigment found in plants and algae    

Outreach Programs NOTICE:  We are operating at a very limited capacity, but we are happy to receive outreach program requests.  Please give as much advance notice as possible so we have the best chance of accommodating your reservation.   Invite us to your classroom! Let a dynamic staff member from the Alaska SeaLife Center come to your classroom and present fun, hands-on programs designed to get kids interested in the ocean world around them.  We offer a variety of unique learning experiences for youth in grades K-12, all of which are sure to keep kids excited about science!   Outreach Programs are available year-round and must be booked at least 30 days in advance. Registration To register for an Outreach Program, download the Outreach registration form and return it via e-mail or fax. Cost    1st session = $300.00      Additional sessions = $200.00 each (same location, same day)   We can accommodate up to 35 students per session. TRAVEL FEES: In addition to the program cost, mileage costs are added for travel outside of Seward. Please contact us for details. Travel fees become more cost effective when multiple sessions are booked together. Outreach Program Descriptions Program Name Grade Levels Program Description Seashore Survivors K-2 Become an intertidal creature and learn what it takes to live in this challenging habitat. Students review these amazing creatures’ adaptations thru a multimedia presentation, hands-on sticker activity, and fun role-playing dress up! Beaks, Bubbles, & Burrows K-4 Discover the many unique adaptations that allow Alaska's beautiful diving seabirds to master both sea and sky. Students review these adaptations by building their very own tufted puffin with clay. Marine Mammal Adaptations K-5 How are marine mammals able to live in Alaska's cold waters? Understand these animals better with our hands-on activities! Students review the adaptations of these amazing mammals by building their own clay harbor seal. Ocean Animal Perceptions 1-5 How do marine animals sense the world around them? How can you ‘smell’ underwater? How can you ‘see’ without using your eyes? Students will discover these other ways of knowing by participating in ‘senses-on’  activities that illustrate these amazing adaptations. Bioluminescence 3-8 What mysterious animals inhabit the ocean's depths? Investigate the bizarre adaptations of light-producers in the midnight zone and create actual bioluminescence! NOTE: This program requires a room that can be completely darkened, ideally with no windows at all. Cephalopods: The Jet Set 4-12 Get your hands into a "head-footed" animal as we learn more about cephalopods through a squid dissection and discussion! Watching Walrus 6-12 Get on the front lines of Global Climate Change as we learn how habitat changes are affecting Alaska’s walrus population today. Students will employ the scientific method to develop their own research strategies then follow Alaska SeaLife Center researchers to find out what method really works in the field to watch walrus. Hands- & feet-on activities get students up and moving and working in groups! Scientists in Action: Veterinarian 6-12 How do vets care for stranded or injured marine animals? Get an insider's view of the Alaska SeaLife Center's Wildlife Response and Rehabilitation program. Students will work in groups to ‘care for’ patients in this inter-disciplinary, hands-on program. The Scoop on Poop 6-12 Why are the Steller sea lions disappearing? Analyze the scat of these endangered animals to search for clues regarding their dramatic decline. Students will employ the scientific method to develop their own research strategies. Additional Information If you have questions about our Outreach Programs, please e-mail us at outreach@alaskasealife.org or call (907) 224-6306.

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.    

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. 

Join us for this week-long virtual fundraising event!    Sitting at the doorstep of the glacier-carved Kenai Fjords National Park and surrounded by a network of science-based partners, the Alaska SeaLife Center is uniquely positioned to study the region’s seabirds. Our avian team pairs field surveys with controlled studies of resident flocks to reveal how seabirds shape – and are shaped by – a changing environment, while providing hands-on opportunities for students and citizen scientists in our community. With a small gift, you can join this network and support research that guides conservation, informs husbandry, and inspires a new generation of seabird stewards and scientists.     Our "Roundup" event is held each fall on the Alaska SeaLife Center’s social media pages, and this year, we're focusing on our seabird research efforts at the ASLC.    Fans and followers from around the world can learn more about the critical seabird research being done at the ASLC with daily social media posts on Facebook and Instagram.  We hope these stories inspire donations that will benefit a mission-critical program at the Center. This week only (September 15 - 21, 2025) Become a Seabird Steward by donating $25 or more and receive a limited-edition seabird research supporter sticker! Join our flock of seabird stewards and help protect these incredible birds: Donate today!    This year's sticker, created by one of our talented in-house graphic designers:  A preview of the stories:  Photostory: Puffin Poop with a Puspose Blog: Kittlitz's Murrelet and the Kenai Fjords   Video: Voluntary Research with ASLC Common Murres Video: Part 1: Resurrection Bay Seabird Surveys | On the Water with ASLC Seabird Researchers! Video: Part 2: Resurrection Bay Seabird Surveys | The Importance of Long-term Data Collection

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()         Next year the eider team will still be hard at work. Each year presents a new opportunity to learn about Steller’s eiders and to grow from past successes and failures. Researchers are expecting another breeding season with hundreds of eggs. They are hoping that they have determined a good setup for the eiders at the Alaska SeaLife Center so more hens will be able to go through the complete incubation process, as Scarlet and Eek did in the summer of 2014. Dr. Tuula Hollmen is hoping to breed “tundra-ready” ducklings that would be able to survive on the tundra, should reintroduction become a reality. If wildlife managers decide that reintroduction is necessary to help these birds recover, the scientists at the Alaska SeaLife Center now have the tools of captive breeding necessary to help make this possible. Reintroduction would present a whole new set of questions for the team. How will they get their rearing techniques to work in the field? In a release facility, they would have to try to repeat what goes on at the Alaska SeaLife Center in the remote setting of the Y-K Delta. Since they would be on the tundra, there would be less manipulation of the habitat, but there wouldn’t be a lab nearby for immediate analysis. Also, Steller’s eiders are migratory birds, so they will travel from the place they are released. How will researchers help released ducklings establish winter and molting grounds? How will they get the eiders to return to the Y-K Delta for the next breeding season? Text goes here! Reintroduction of other bird species has been done successfully, but each species has its own specific needs. As this project continues its trek forward, Steller’s eiders will keep scientists questioning. There is a Facebook page for the Steller’s Eider Y-K Delta Reintroduction Program so you can stay up-to-date by clicking here.   Text goes here!         CLICK BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT SEADUCK SCIENTISTS!   REINTRODUCTION (n) - the relase of members of a species into an area where that species once lived but where there is no current population.                                

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) announces the opening of the nomination period for the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. ASLC established the Awards to recognize those who have made significant contributions to ocean sciences, education, and resource management in Alaska. Nominations for the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards are open now through December 12, 2022.    The award categories are as follows:   Walter J. & Ermalee Hickel Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to an individual or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to management of Alaska’s coastal and ocean resources over a period of 20 or more years. $1,000 cash prize. Sponsored by the late Governor Walter J. and the late Ermalee Hickel.   Stewardship & Sustainability Award: Awarded to an industry initiative that demonstrates the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources. Sponsored by Jason Brune.   Marine Research Award: Awarded to a scientist, team of scientists, or an institution that is acknowledged by peers to have made an original breakthrough contribution or a career spanning achievement in any field of scientific knowledge about Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Dr. Clarence Pautzke and Dr. Maureen McCrea.   Marine Science Outreach Award: Awarded to a person, team, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to ocean literacy via formal or informal education, media, or other communications about Alaska’s marine ecosystems. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Alaska Ocean Observing System.   Ocean Youth Award: Awarded to an individual or team of Alaskan youth up to 19 years old who has displayed dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. $500 cash prize. Sponsored by Brian Pinkston.   To make a nomination for any of these awards, visit our website https://www.alaskasealife.org/alaska_ocean_leadership_awards or email oceanawards@alaskasealife.org.        

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.           

          During their two seasons on the ice, Dr. Mellish and her team successfully collected data from forty Weddell seals. Back in their labs in Alaska, Colorado, and Oregon, the researchers began processing their data. The first step was to make sense of it all! Knowledge of computer programming helped Dr. Hindle sort through the data. She began by looking at the relationships between variables. She used those relationships to build mathematical models that answered the team's research questions. At the same time, Dr. Mellish was working to analyze the team's collection of thermal images. Upon close analysis, patterns began to appear. Dr. Mellish determined that while all the seals sampled lost heat from the same areas of their body, the leaner seals (the juveniles and adult females who'd recently weaned pups) tended to lose more heat than the fatter seals. This finding supports the team's hypothesis that leaner seals may be less able to adapt to changing conditons than seals with more stored blubber. While complete models will take years to build, initial modeling results show that Weddell seals live in a careful balance with their polar environment. The data indicates that if ice conditions continue to change, this balance could be thrown off. While scientists are still uncertain what the effects of climate change will be on the polar regions, they are increasingly certain that there will be effects. Research projects like this one are important because they increase scientists' ability to predict how animals and ecosystems may respond to such changes.         WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?   DATA (n) - values of something measured   PROCESS (v) - to sort and analyze recorded data   VARIABLE (n) - an element of a system that can change   MODEL (n) - in science, a representation of data that makes something easier to quantify, predict or understand   ANALYZE (v) - to carefully examine something    

  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()         Many factors needed to be considered as Dr. Gradinger and his team planned their research. In addition to having the necessary sampling equipment, it was important that they time the research trips so they would be collecting samples during the spring sea ice melt season.  If they traveled too early, their measurements might underestimate the importance of ice algae. If they traveled too late, the ice would all have melted and there would be no ice algae for them to measure.  The team chose research sites in the eastern Bering Sea because it is a very productive region of water. Picking the research area was only the beginning. Next, they had to select the right tools to help them answer their research questions. Navigate through the images below to learn how each tool helped the team answer their research questions: With many samples to collect at every study site, a researcher's job is never dull. Can you imagine what daily life would be like on a 400-foot long ship floating in the middle of the Bering Sea?       WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?   MELT SEASON (n)- the time of the year when melting occurs   PRODUCTIVE (adj)- being rich in resources; in this case, with valuable resources like fish   PROPEL (v)- to push or move in a particular direction   WATER COLUMN (n)- the area of water between the surface and the sea floor   ALGAL GROWTH (n)- the process of algae growing   ROV (n)- a remotely-operated vehicle  

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()         MEET DR. TUULA HOLLMEN Science Director at the Alaska SeaLife Center and Research Associate Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks WHAT SHE STUDIES: - Breeding ecology - Toxicology - Avian physiology EDUCATION: D.V.M. and Ph.D. in Physiological Ecology from the University of Helsinki, Finland HOMETOWN: Helsinki, Finland   "YOU GET TO A POINT... where you can say it is over 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years...well it’s over a quarter century now. I have been working with marine birds for over a quarter century." "I THINK THE WORLD... will be a different place if we lose this unique species that isn’t necessarily similar to any other species." Dr. Tuula Hollmen explains her interest in science and in Steller's eiders. (1:00) Video Transcript I think as long as I remember I have always been interested in the natural environment and that just developed into an interest in science. I was the kid who was collecting mussels and counting things from as long as I remember and I don’t remember a time when I haven’t been interested in science. I think it was just the career that was always there for me. If you see a Steller’s eider in a picture or in the wild even better they’re really beautiful, they’re really a beautiful bird and it really is a cool duck. It is oftentimes just a big challenge to work with because it is so unique. We’re learning new things and we’re learning that things that apply to some other waterfowl species don’t necessarily apply to Steller’s eiders because they have their own ways of doing things, their own biology, ecology and I would say to some degree physiology as well. So they are really a unique species and sometimes they cause some head scratching and probably caused a few of my gray hairs just thinking about how to deal with some of these challenges but it also makes them really interesting to study. I think that everything that I am learning about the species just makes me more convinced that they are a unique species.   CLICK BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT SEADUCK SCIENTISTS!  

  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() Meet Dr. Kathy Kuletz Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Kathy's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Pelagic Ecosystems Co-Principal Investigator, Prince William Sound Marine Bird Population Trends Important skills for her position: "Biometric and GIS skills are of course important for working in science, but writing and communication skills are more important for me now, at this stage in my career. And of course, getting outdoors when possible, to recharge interest and enthusiasm, even get new ideas." Challenges in her work: "Obtaining the support needed for a scientific project, especially something long-term, takes an enormous amount of time and effort - and is usually not why one goes into science. But it has to be done... these aren't the fun aspects of science, but they also help you to refine your goals, objectives, and approach." Kathy's advice to young people interested in science: "Get some field experience, and even work on several types of studies to see what really stokes your interest in learning more. Often, biologists start out as volunteers (I did) and move to seasonal field work, or help with data and reports. When you're on a project, do some background searching and reading on the subject or your specific project (so easy to do these days), and find out what questions the project leader is focused on. If you do a good job, work well in difficult conditions, and stay in contact, chances are you'll be called back." Dr. Kathy Kuletz describes her career as a seabird biologist. (3:14) Video Transcript I’ve always been interested in the working with wildlife. I grew up in the desert, so the ocean was exotic to me. Anything that had to do with the ocean was very exotic, and that’s probably what attracted me to that aspect. I wanted to see Alaska, so I came up for a summer job like most people here. I worked in fisheries to begin with because that’s where a lot of the jobs were – there’s not a lot of funding to study birds. I was doing fisheries work, but then I wound up getting a summer job on Naked Island in Prince William Sound, and that was my first job with seabirds. My one year there turned into four, which turned into my Master’s degree studying pigeon guillemots there. Of course that was before the oil spill – I started back there in 1978. After the oil spill, it turned out that was one of the few places where we had some baseline data on seabirds – how they raised their chicks, what they fed on, and how many birds there actually were in these colonies. I went back after the oil spill, again as a seasonal employee of Fish & Wildlife Service, and eventually it became a term appointment. I stayed on in prince William Sound studying marbled murrelets. I became interested in what was going on at sea. Back in the 70s and 80s there was a large ecosystem study going on because they were looking at oil lease sales in the Bering Sea and the Gulf. They had what they called the OCSEAP program – the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment program. Then there was a huge gap where not much was done out at sea, and of course seabirds spend most of their lives out at sea, but mostly people study what goes on at a colony. I was interested in that other aspect of their lives and what happened the other three quarters of their lives out at sea. For the most part, this was before we had little tiny satellite tags and GPS dataloggers, but we didn’t know what they really did. We didn’t have a good idea of where birds went, and a large part of what we found out was by counting birds at sea – going out on big ships, research vessels that were doing fisheries work or oceanographic work, and doing surveys in conjunction with those. That’s what we’ve continued to do, of course we have more technology now and we can log location of every sighting very accurately and tie that data into what the oceanographers found on the same cruise, or the plankton people, the fish people, the marine mammal folks. So we’re trying to identify the hot spots, trying to found out where birds go in the non-breeding season as well as during the breeding season offshore. That’s what’s attracted me – the idea of being able to put together all this information and understand the big mystery of what seabirds do out at sea, that’s what draws me into it.   Who is watching the Blob?