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?    

  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    

    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          

Contact Alaska SeaLife Center 301 Railway Avenue P.O. Box 1329 Seward, AK 99664 Toll Free: (800) 224-2525 Visitor Information and Reservations Hotline Phone: (907) 224-7908 Toll Free: (888) 378-2525 Fax: (907) 224-6320 Email: visit@alaskasealife.org Education Program Registration Phone: (907) 224-6306 Phone Toll Free: (800) 224-2525 ext. 6306 Email: education@alaskasealife.org Employment Phone: (907) 224-6325 Email: hr@alaskasealife.org Volunteers & Summer Internships Phone: (907) 224-6327 Email: volunteercoordinator@alaskasealife.org Membership Phone: (907) 224-6374 Email: membership@alaskasealife.org Stranding Hotline Phone: (907) 224-6395 Toll Free: (888) 774-7325 Email: wildliferesponse@alaskasealife.org Media Relations Phone: (907) 224-6338 Email: media@alaskasealife.org Donation Requests Please fill out the Donation Request Form Phone: (907) 224-6337 Email: donationrequest@alaskasealife.org DIRECTIONS, PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY >>

Spring 2026 Availability  March 15 - May 31: 1:45 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays Summer 2026 Availability  June 1 - August 3: 1:45 pm Daily August 4 - September 30: 1:45 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays   Duration: Approximately 30-minute tour Maximum of 5 people per tour - ages 10+* Come behind the scenes for a unique experience with one of our marine mammal ambassadors! This tour will allow visitors to get an up-close view of the exceptional day-to-day care our seals or sea lions receive while learning about how these amazing species are specially adapted for Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. Each encounter will be unique (and special!).   No photography allowed on this tour. One Group Per Tour Group Size of 1-2 Guests: $289.95 Group Size of 3 Guests: $339.95 Group Size of 4 Guests: $389.95 Group Size of 5 Guests: $439.95 Members get a 20% discount, buy your membership today and use the benefits immediately. (does not include admission) *Guests aged 10-16 must be accompanied by a paying adult Tickets only valid for date selected. Online tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance.     

Porthole Cafe  Welcome to The Porthole Cafe, your go-to cafe spot inside the Alaska SeaLife Center! Enjoy craft coffee, espresso, refreshing Lotus Energy and boba drinks along with a selection of grab-and-go food, bagels, baked goods, and delicious sandwiches. Whether you're fueling up before your adventure or winding down afterward, we’ve you covered.  Learn more on the Porthole Cafe website.  The Porthole Cafe is open year-round with limited hours.  General admission is not required to visit the Porthole Cafe.    Discovery Gift Shop Take a part of the Alaska SeaLife Center with you! We have all of your favorite SeaLife plush animals, logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, green-conscious goodies, and gifts handmade by Alaskan artists. Discovery Gift Shop is open year-round. General admission is not required for entry to Discovery Gift Shop.   Phone: (907) 224-6300 ext. 6204 Toll Free: (800) 224-2525 ext. 6204 Email: linda.summerst@eventnetwork.com 

Local Information Seward is located at Mile 0 of the Seward Highway, 125 miles south of Anchorage. Located at the head of Resurrection Bay, Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, with Chugach National Forest and Caines Head State Recreation Area nearby. The city offers many recreational activities, including day wildlife viewing cruises, kayaking, fishing, and hiking.    Seward is accessible year-round by road or by train and cruise ship during the summer season. Local Links Seward Chamber of Commerce   City of Seward    City Campgrounds & Parks    Visit Anchorage

Seward, Alaska (April 7, 2020) – Nat Geo WILD’s new series, “Alaska Animal Rescue,” is airing April 11 at 5 p.m. Alaska time. This new show highlights three renowned animal conservation centers, the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and the Alaska Raptor Center.   The series will give viewers a unique behind the scenes look at wildlife response in action as animal care teams experience both the rewards and challenges of rescuing wildlife in various regions of Alaska. From Nat Geo WILD: “Whether caring for a stranded sea lion, an orphaned lynx or an injured eagle, these are the people on the front lines, willing to do whatever it takes to rescue and preserve Alaska’s wildlife.”   The facilities featured in “Alaska Animal Rescue” anticipate this series will help inspire people to care about wildlife and conservation. “We hope viewers of the show see how valuable all three of our facilities are not just to wildlife in the state of Alaska, but in supporting conservation work on a global scale,” said Tara Riemer, Alaska SeaLife Center President and CEO.    “We are very excited for the premiere of Alaska Animal Rescue. We hope viewers will become stewards for Alaska’s wildlife and learn how everyone around the world can help participate in wildlife conservation efforts,”  said Di Whitney, Executive Director, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.   Jennifer Cross, Executive Director, Alaska Raptor Center states, “All of us at the Alaska Raptor Center are thrilled about the show’s premiere this Saturday! Although filming was challenging at times, we are thankful for this opportunity to showcase the important work non-profits do on behalf of Alaska’s wild animals.”     The show will air on Nat Geo WILD channel April 11, at 9/8c (5 p.m. Alaska time)  Learn more about the facilities highlighted in the series here: https://alaskaanimalrescue.org/    About the Alaska SeaLife Center (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.   About the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) Founded in 1993, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals and provides them with enclosures at a 200-acre facility in Portage, Alaska. Most of the animals that arrive at AWCC become permanent residents. To learn more, visit www.alaskawildlife.org.    About the Alaska Raptor Center (ARC) Established in 1980, the Alaska Raptor Center’s mission is to promote and enhance wild populations of raptors and other avian species through rehabilitation, education, and research. ARC provides medical treatment to about 200 injured birds each year, striving to rehabilitate and release its avian patients. Some birds who are too injured to survive in the wild find sanctuary at the facility in Sitka, Alaska, providing educational opportunities to visitors. To learn more, visit www.alaskaraptor.org.      

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.

  Support the Center by Donating Items From out Amazon Wishlist!  There are many meaningful ways to support the Alaska SeaLife Center, and one simple way to make a direct impact is through our Amazon Wishlist! Each item purchased helps care for the animals and programs that make our mission possible. From enrichment toys for our resident animals, tools needed by our ops team for maintenence, to formula for patients in our Wildlife Response Program, all donations go directly to the teams and make an immediate impact.    Select what item you'd like to donate on the ASLC Amazon Wishlist!    After making your purchase, please fill out our quick Amazon Wishlist Donation Form so our team can thank you and keep track of your generous support! We do not get information on who sent what item through Amazon, and we'd love to thank you!    Thank you for being part of the ASLC community and helping us care for Alaska’s marine life!  Questions? Feel free to reach out to development@alaskasealife.org.         

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.

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.  

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/     

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.           

In an unusually dramatic wildlife response case, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has admitted a newborn female northern sea otter pup from Homer, AK. The pup was orphaned following an orca attack incidentally witnessed by ASLC laboratory technician and wildlife response team member Natalie Hunter. While calls to the ASLC’s Wildlife Response Program concerning lost or abandoned sea otter pups are not uncommon, the background of these patients — including how the pup ended up alone — is often a matter of speculation, making this case particularly unique.   The nerve-wracking incident occurred September 9, 2023, while Hunter and friends were on a recreational fishing trip in Homer, AK. They were excited to spot two wild orcas, and the boat captain shut the motor off to observe from a distance. The group on the boat did not know this was a pod of transient orcas known to predate on mammals, so Hunter and friends did not immediately connect that an otter floating nearby could be a target. It wasn't until a commotion under the otter happened that they realized what they were witnessing. The otter did not attempt to dive away from the whales, and the group realized the otter was carrying a pup when they heard the characteristic young otter calls. Multiple attacks from the orcas ensued. They saw both the mother otter and pup burst out of the water after an impressive tail slap from one of the orcas. Mom and pup were separated, and the orcas focused their attention on the mother. Eventually, the mother otter did not resurface, and the orca began leaving the area. Persistent cries from the water indicated that the pup had survived the attack. After waiting to ensure the orcas were not returning for the pup and the mother did not resurface, the group called the ASLC Wildlife Response Hotline (1-888-774-7325) to report the incident and wait for further instruction.   Natalie Hunter, ASLC Lab Technician, frequently works on the ASLC wildlife response team and is usually one of the people taking the calls on the hotline. “It was weird to be on the other side of the wildlife response hotline. It wasn’t someone calling me to report an animal in need. It was the other way around,” said Hunter. “My brain was in wildlife response mode during the entire incident, thinking we, unfortunately, may have an otter pup rescue on our hands. It wasn’t until the entire event ended, the wild orcas had left the area, and the pup started crying out for its mother that I knew we had to think about the next move.” To make the situation even more extraordinary, Hunter was on board with friends who have wildlife response experience. Ally Kintner was formerly a USFWS volunteer stranding coordinator in Homer.  Another friend, Adriana Ferello, was also a former USFWS volunteer stranding coordinator, former ASLC intern, and current veterinary technician at the Georgia Aquarium. From the group’s extensive experience rescuing sea otter pups, they knew this pup did not have much time left and knew how to act accordingly. Once the ASLC got permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to respond to the pup, the group carefully got the newborn otter out of the water and onto the boat.  “Her cries were gurgly, and when we got her out of the water, she was soaked,” Hunter recollects. “Her coat wasn’t repelling water and keeping her buoyant like it should have been.” Despite the pup’s trying circumstances, she was now in experienced and caring hands. The group made their way back to the shore, attending carefully to the young otter for the duration of the boat trip. They met the ASLC Wildlife Response team halfway between Seward and Homer, about a two-hour drive, and the ASLC team immediately transported the pup back to the Center. Staff conducted an admit exam and found that the pup was fatigued and hungry, but otherwise seemed to be in good health. A fresh umbilical cord confirmed the patient was only a day — possibly even hours old.  “Very rarely do we know how a wildlife response patient got to the location and the condition it was found in. For most reported cases of an abandoned seal or otter pup, we have the reporter watch for a length of time to see if the mother returns. In this rare case, we know exactly what happened to this newborn pup,” said Jane Belovarac, ASLC Wildlife Response Curator.  This is the second orphaned otter pup admitted to the ASLC in less than a week. Because northern sea otter pups receive constant care and attention from their mothers until around six months of age, both patients are under 24/7 care from our team during this sensitive time.  The ASLC will continue to post updates on current wildlife response patients on the ASLC social media pages.      The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips 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 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.    

Endowment Fund Make a donation today that keeps giving year after year The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has partnered with the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) to create the Alaska SeaLife Center Endowment Fund, which will support the ASLC in achieving its mission of generating and sharing scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems for the years to come. Endowment funds generate a predictable stream of income, leaving a majority of the assets to grow in perpetuity. An endowment offers the flexibility to meet ASLC’s immediate needs while ensuring assets are always preserved for our long-term mission. The ACF protects the fund’s assets from being spent for any other purpose. For example, your gift today will be invested by the ACF and will earn returns every year from the moment you make it. That means a gift of $1,000 today is a gift of $50 every year permanently to the Alaska SeaLife Center. The Alaska SeaLife Center Endowment Fund welcomes gifts of all kinds including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets. Gifts can be made online directly with the ACF or by calling (907) 334-6700. Online donations can also be made here through the Alaska SeaLife Center which will transfer Endowment Fund donations to the ACF on a monthly basis.  

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 JOHN SKINNER Research Associate at the Alaska SeaLife Center WHAT HE STUDIES: - Marine mammal energetics - Animal physiology - Thermoregulation EDUCATION: M.S. Wildlife Ecology B.S. Wildlife Biology HOMETOWN: Petaluma, California MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOING RESEARCH IN ANTARCTICA IS... "The challenge! The work we do with seals is only a small part of what we plan for each day. For example, we also think about how to travel across shifting ice, operate our equipment in the extreme cold, stay warm, and keep ourselves safe." MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN SCIENCE IS... "Ask questions - Share your thoughts but be open minded! The best scientists love their work because they challenge themselves as well as others, by asking questions about the world. They serve as a positive influence in the scientific community by equally sharing and listening to others in order to solve life's most challenging questions." John Skinner talks about why he enjoys being a biologist. (0:36) Video Transcript The reason I am a biologist is because you get to see animals in their environment, in this case really extreme conditions that are so unsuitable for us. It's amazing to feel, when you're working with these animals, so inferior. You know, I couldn't last out there a day without the support that we have doing the work that we do. Whereas these animals, they lie out there like they're on a sunny beach somewhere and I think that's the most incredible part of it for me is seeing the animals where they excel and where they are happiest.   WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?    

        The implications of the research described in Southern Exposure stretch beyond the Antarctic. The data Dr. Mellish and her team have collected by studying Weddell seals can be used to make predictions about how other ice-dependent species, such as Arctic species like ringed seals and walrus, may react to changing conditions in their own local environments. Concerned about how climate change will impact our planet? Educate yourself about how humans are impacting climate in the Arctic and around the globe. Do your part to help lessen our impact: Learn about your carbon footprint and which earth-friendly actions you can take in your everyday life.         WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?

Alaskan bird enthusiasts flock to Seward this month for the annual Seward Seabird Festival! Join community partners to celebrate the rich seabird diversity of the Kenai fjords through family-friendly activities, local art, sightseeing opportunities, and chances to network with seabird researchers and professionals. From the budding birder to the seasoned seabird expert, this city-wide event has something for everyone! CLICK TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE EVENT SCHEDULE  

  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()         MEET MARTIN SCHUSTER UAF GRADUATE WITH AN MS DEGREE IN MARINE BIOLOGY AND PAST RESEARCH TECHNICIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS WHAT HE STUDIES: -Kelp forest ecology -Scientific diving EDUCATION: B.S. Biological Sciences M.S. Marine Biology   THE BEST WAY TO GET STARTED IN THE SCIENCE FIELD IS... "to volunteer. You have to make your interests known to people... The people who ask questions, that's what highlights you as someone who (gets into grad school)." Martin talks about how he got involved with marine research and scientific diving at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (01:15) Video Transcript   I was just sort of taking biology classes until I stumbled upon this poster that said ‘Scientific Diving here at UAF’ and I thought, ‘well, why the heck not’ and it looked pretty cool.  I was looking for a change, so I took that class with Dr. Conar and it really changed my life in a lot of ways.  After I put on that dry suit and got under the water, I really realized the amazing diversity of life we have here in these super cold waters.  It was hard for me to imagine before because I’d never stuck my face into the water before.  Just seeing a kelp forest for the first time and all the amazing plant and invertebrate life in there really made me realize that this was a thing that I could do.  So after that I took the class again, and then I took it again, and then I ended up joining Brenda’s lab, and becoming a scientific diver for her.  Then eventually became a grad student, which has led me to a lot of other cool fieldwork that’s not diving related as well, including this icebreaker expedition that I went on with Rolf.      WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?  

Starting July 23 Summer 2020 Availability - Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays: 3:30 pm  Duration: Approximately 30-minute tour Maximum of 5 people per tour - minimum age 13* Meet Mara, our resident Steller sea lion mom and her pup, born June 26 on this once-in-a-lifetime exclusive tour.   Have a chance to feed Mara and watch her interact with her new pup. Learn from our marine mammal staff what it takes to be a good Steller sea lion mom and what it was like welcoming the pup into the world. Don't miss this first time offered interaction that will be available for a very limited time. For the safety and well-being of our animal residents there is no photography allowed on this tour. Flat-Rate Price: $399.95 per group of 1-5 people - members get a 20% discount, buy your membership today and use the benefits immediately *Guests under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult Tickets only valid for date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one hour in advance. All guests must wear a face covering on this tour. If you cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition, please email onlinesales@alaskasealife.org to arrange an accommodation before booking the tour.

Seward, Alaska (March 18, 2015) - The Alaska SeaLife Center got a special delivery last week! Mara, an 11-year-old female, is the latest addition to ASLC's Steller sea lion family. Mara arrived on February 12 from the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. She was originally part of a research study at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Aquarium. Here at the Center, Mara will join our Steller sea lion breeding program. The study focuses on the maternal care of females, as part of the Center’s research to better understand this endangered species. ASLC Marine Mammal Scientist Dr. Lori Polasek and her team are looking at the energetic cost of raising a pup from conception to weaning through hormone levels, pregnancy detection, and pup care. So far, Mara has been exploring her new home and loves to play with her enrichment toys. Our animal care team will slowly introduce her to other resident sea lions before putting her on habitat. Dr. Polasek and her team are hoping for a successful encounter this summer with male Steller sea lion Pilot.