Join us for a special community watch party at the Alaska SeaLife Center as we livestream "An Evening with Bill Nye live from Anchorage's Alaska Center for the Performing Arts – part of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s CAS Community Lecture Series. This is a unique opportunity to gather with fellow community members and science enthusiasts for an evening of thought-provoking conversation! Those attending the LiveStream event will have the chance to ask Bill Nye questions via a custom QR code. The stream will take place in the Bear Mountain Conference Room and be displayed on a large screen for group viewing. Seating is limited, and registration is recommended. RSVP here: https://24092.blackbaudhosting.com/24092/tickets?tab=2... The Alaska SeaLife Center’s doors will open at 6:20 pm, August 21, 2025, for registered guests. All tickets not claimed by 6:35 pm will be released for general admission. The program will start at 6:45 pm. This event is cohosted by the Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward Education Advocates, Seward Prevention Council, Seward Arts Council, and Chugach Regional Resource Commission, in partnership with the Seward Community Library and Museum.  

Distance Learning Visit Alaska…  virtually! Our live, interactive videoconference programs expand your students' scientific experience with engaging multi-media presentations. Using inquiry-based learning, these 55-minute conferences incorporate live animals (whenever possible) and current research programs happening right here at the Alaska SeaLife Center! The materials for each program include a teacher's guide with specific background information and activity ideas, as well as supplies for the session's hands-on activities. Video Sample:  Marine Mammal Adaptations Registration To register for a Distance Learning program, Download the Distance Learning registration form and return it via e-mail. To accommodate shipping materials, reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance. See below for prices and time zone recommendations. Please email distancelearning@alaskasealife.org or call (907) 224-7900 for more information. Program Descriptions PROGRAM NAME GRADES DESCRIPTION Who Lives Where? Pre-K Meet Alaska’s wettest residents! Find out where Alaska’s marine animals live, what they eat, and how they move. Beaks, Bubbles, & Burrows K-3 Observe the diving seabirds in our avian habitat as we discuss the behaviors and adaptations of these intriguing animals. Marine Mammal Adaptations K-5 Discover how these mammals are able to thrive in Alaska's frigid waters by observing our own resident seals and sea lions. Terrific Alaskan Tidepool Travels 1-5 Take a walk through the Alaskan intertidal zone and meet our tough and mysterious local invertebrates. Eat or Be Eaten in Alaska 4-6 Discuss the complexity of food webs by exploring some of Alaska's most interesting animals and ecosystems. Living in the Ring of Fire 5-8 Verify plate tectonic theories by investigating geologic activities around the Pacific plate, specifically here in Alaska. Cephalopods: Squid Dissection 5-9 Get your hands into a "head-footed" animal as we learn more about cephalopods through dissection and discussion! (Please contact us about squid availability. Observation-only sessions are also an option.) Sea Lion Monitoring 6-12 Learn how scientists at the center study a wild population of endangered Steller sea lions hauled out on the Chiswell Islands. Practice remote video monitoring yourself! The Scoop on Poop 6-12 Roll up your sleeves and analyze sea lion scat as we learn more about the hands-on way some of our scientists study these animals' diets.   Prices Program costs include teacher guides, materials* for up to 30 students (additional students are $1 each) and postage. An additional $20.00 may be added to reservations made less than 30 days in advance.   PROGRAM NAME COST Beaks, Bubbles, & Burrows Marine Mammal Adaptations Terrific Alaskan Tidepool Travels Eat or Be Eaten in Alaska Living in the Ring of Fire Sea Lion Monitoring $190.00 The Scoop on Poop $220.00 Cephalopods: Squid Dissection (including squid) $240.00 (squid shipping within U.S. only; if you provide your own squid the program is $190.00)  * International programs: Shipping to countries outside the United States will require an additional fee.  Also, customs procedures may prevent the shipping of physical materials to countries outside of the U.S. - in these cases, we will send materials electronically. Time Zone Recommendations Our distance learning sessions are taught from the exhibits, which rely on natural light. As Alaska's sunrise/sunset times vary dramatically from season to season, the following table lists optimal time recommendations for booking your reservations. There can still be large fluctuations within a calendar month, so these times are only a guide. Additional times may be available - please contact us for more information.   NORTH AMERICAN TIME ZONES (includes daylight savings time) ALASKA PACIFIC MOUNTAIN CENTRAL EASTERN September 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM October 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM November 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM 1:00 PM - 8:30 PM December 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM January 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM February 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM 11:30 AM -8:00 PM 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM March 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM April 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM May 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM June 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM July 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM August 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Technical Requirements We use Zoom to connect.  Please contact us if you have questions about using other platforms. Customized Programs Do your students show exceptional enthusiasm for a particular lesson plan or subject?  With advance notice we can modify existing programs or create specialized programs to accommodate specific lesson goals, ages, or comprehension levels. Sessions are designed to be 55 minutes in length but can be adapted to fit your class period.    

  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    

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.

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. JO-ANN MELLISH Animal Physiologist at the Alaska SeaLife Center and Research Associate Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks WHAT SHE STUDIES: - Marine mammal energetics - Animal physiology - Thermoregulation EDUCATION: Ph.D. Animal Physiology B.S. Biology HOMETOWN: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada WHY IS TEAMWORK ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WHILE WORKING IN ANTARCTICA? "We're working together not just to get the science done but to keep each other safe. It's fieldwork that we do on a routine basis, but we're in the Antarctic and you really are taking your life in your hands every time you go out on the sea ice. We really care about each other. And we're there, number one, to look out for one another and then, number two, to get the science done." Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish describes what she loves about working as a scientist in Antarctica. (1:18) Video Transcript It's the kind of place where you can feel isolated and connected to everything around you at the same time. If you're out on the sea ice you don't hear any motorized vehicles, there's nobody else around you. All you hear is the wind and the cracking of the ice moving underneath you and the seals around you and sometimes if you're lucky a penguin and it's just, you have that moment of being in a space that so few other people get to experience that it, it's a spiritual moment. There's no other way for me to explain it but you just, time stops and you just want to be there in the moment and experience it. All the rest, everything else just kind of goes away. And to get to be a part of that as your career with people that you want to be with, you just can't beat that kind of experience, and it makes you want to go back!   WHO IS STUDYING SEALS?    

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?    

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 Moran Research Fisheries Biologist, NOAA/NMFS Auke Bay Laboratories John's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Pelagic Ecosystems Humpback Whale Program Co-Principal Investigator Important skills for his position: "You definitely need patience, you need to be very tolerant of weather, and just being able to endure things and not really give up." Challenges in his work: "Being on a small boat when it’s really rough, battling the weather, wind and rain, having your expensive camera getting salt spray on it... and then the whales just not cooperating." John's advice to young people interested in science: "I would take math and English. Those are two things that I didn’t really think I needed very much that are very important. Work hard, do things that people don’t want to do. You’re not going to go out and tag whales on your first day, but if you're entering data or doing some of the more tedious things, then you make yourself very useful. And it’s a good way to meet people, a good way to get your foot in the door."   John Moran describes some of the fun and frustrations of tracking humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska. (0:50) Video Transcript When things change, like this last winter we thought we knew where all the whales were going to be in Port Gravina, and we got out there and they weren’t there. And we were just so sure of ourselves, we’ll just get out there and get a bunch of IDs, it’ll be nice & protected, and we were completely wrong. So when things jump out as being unusual that’s when it gets interesting. You think you have things figured out and you really don’t know what you’re talking about. I really like driving the boat for some reason, I don’t know why maybe it’s the control issue, but for doing photo Id or biopsies especially or tagging, and I do disentanglement work in Southeast and just being the one that maneuvers the boat, gets the boat close to the whales while somebody else maybe does the other things, you feel like you’re the one literally in the driver’s seat.   Who is watching the Gulf?    

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 Sonia Batten Biological Oceanographer, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science Sonia's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Environmental Drivers Principal Investigator Important skills for her position: Basic science training, interest in small things, interest in seeing both "big pictures" and patterns Challenges in her work: "Anything to do with studying the ocean is challenging because you can’t sample enough of it to really understand what is going on. So trying to understand what’s going on across the horizontal region, down through the water column, and through time is really hard because they all change, all of the time." Sonia's advice to young people interested in science: "If you have a questioning mind and you like looking at the way the world works, then you are a scientist.  How you use that in a career could be anything from teaching, to talking with politicians to try and get policies that will help a community - there are so many different things. I would just say that it may not be the dry and dusty thing that you think it is. You can be a scientist and have a huge range of careers. If you are interested in things like that, keep your mind open for opportunities where you can use science." Sonia Batten discusses one of the coolest things about the ocean. (0:31) Video Transcript I think the coolest thing is that you can take a bucket of seawater, you can filter out the stuff and put it under a microscope and show people and they go, “Oh my god, I didn’t know I was swimming with that!” You can look at a crab larvae, a little tiny crab before it settles out under the microscope, and it’s got, some of them have spines that are three times the length of their body sticking out, and they look like alien things, and you have no idea that you’re swimming with that kind of thing, and yeah – I think that’s cool.   Who is watching the Gulf?    

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?           Meet... Dr. Lori Polasek   Marine Mammal Scientist and Assistant Research Professor for the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Dr. Polasek has studied many species of seals, sea lions, fur seals, walrus, whales and dolphins. She was an accounting major in college until she took a required biology class – then she changed her major to marine biology and never looked back! "I became interested in marine biology when I learned how to SCUBA dive when I was 12 years old. I wanted to learn more about how animals were capable of surviving in such extreme conditions without suffering the consequences humans experienced."     Hear Dr. Polasek describe her work at the Alaska SeaLife Center and how she got to this point in her career. (2.5 minutes)      

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 DR. BODIL BLUHM MARINE BIOLOGIST AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS WHAT SHE STUDIES: -Marine invertebrates -Sea ice & benthic ecology EDUCATION: B.A. Biology M.S. Zoology Ph.D. Marine Biology ONE COOL EXPERIENCE WHEN WORKING IN THE ARCTIC WAS... "We were trying to trawl for bottom fauna, at like 10,000 feet, in ice (in the Arctic deep sea). We deployed an ROV and deep sea cameras and we were sitting on the ship, and live-seeing what was on the sea floor, creeping around there." Dr. Bodil Bluhm describes what she likes best about Arctic marine research. (1:00) Video Transcript   I think the two things I like best are the interactions with people, and that's both with the fellow scientists from all over the place as well as with outreach activities, just talking to my five year old and her preschool group- the other day they had this ocean topic and I brought my dive gear, and they get all excited- so that's one part I really like, the interaction with people. Also on the international level, with the Arctic being the Arctic there's a lot of countries all around it, and we really have contacts to all of them. The other thing I really like is the study area itself. It has so many challenges, and it is under pressure from all these different activities- including climate change, and oil and gas and so on- but it just keeps being an interesting area to me to study. So those are the two things that really keep me excited about the work.   WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?  

  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 NATHAN BAWTINHIMER Aviculturist at the Alaska SeaLife Center WHAT HE DOES: - Eider husbandry - Eider mate pairing - Artificial incubation EDUCATION: B.S. in Biological Sciences with minor in Wildlife Science from North Carolina State University HOMETOWN: Ayden, North Carolina   "THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A TYPICAL DAY... During breeding season we'll candle all the eggs, enter all the data in the spreadsheet, and keep very detailed records of everything we see every day when we candle. The husbandry aspect is much less time-consuming in the winter time. In the winter, it's a lot of cleaning and routine maintenance. Like this past winter, we put up bird spikes to keep away ravens and magpies that like to sit on the walls." Nathan tells how and why he got his start working with Steller's eiders. (0:58) Video Transcript I’m the eider research aviculturist. I help with setting up pairs, setting up nest sites, promoting breeding behaviors and a lot of the incubation practices that we use. I have raised birds since I was a teenager with my father. My senior year of college I did an internship with Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. I worked with over 100 different species of waterfowl there but the Steller's are one of the few species I hadn’t worked with and I really wanted to get some experience with them, and this job presented itself and I was lucky enough to get it and I have been enjoying working with them ever since. They’re really not like any of the other eiders. The fact that they’re declining so rapidly is a motivating factor for me to jump on board with the eider team to try and help save them and reintroduce them to the wild.   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 Seth Danielson, Ph.D. Research Associate Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks Seth's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Environmental Drivers Co-Principal Investigator, Gulf of Alaska Mooring (GAK1) Important skills for his position: In my position it is important to be able to write clearly and to be proficient at computer programming. Programming skills allow one to perform customized analyses that will extract new information from a dataset, while writing skills are needed to communicate your results and demonstrate the importance of your work. Challenges in his work: "Sometimes the biggest challenge is in properly crafting a scientific hypothesis that is both tractable and cost-effective. There are often very expensive ways to find answers to a research problem but these may not be affordable. Half the fun of doing research is finding the right balance between costs, effort, and scientific results." Seth's advice to young people interested in science: "A solid background in mathematics, statistics and critical thinking provides a springboard that can direct you into any of the sciences that interest you. Set yourself up for success by learning how to both identify and solve problems." Seth Danielson describes his interest in oceanographic research. (1:16) Video Transcript My name is Seth Danielson; I’m a Research Associate Professor of Oceanography at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. As a research professor, I’m really interested in firstly understanding how the world works and going out and making new discoveries about how the ocean system responds to the atmosphere: how it provides an environment that the fish and the birds and the whales are living in in the marine system, and how the physics – the winds, the waves, the currents, the temperature of the ocean – how all those affect the ecosystem as they come together. Along the way I get to go to these beautiful places, remote places that very few people get to see on the ocean and along the coasts around the Arctic and around Alaska. I get to bring my stories back to schools and share those with the students, and that’s a lot of fun and very fulfilling. The ability for us to be able to learn new things about the world and communicate them is just incredibly satisfying – it makes a great career.   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() Meet Sonia Batten Biological Oceanographer, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science Sonia's role in Gulf Watch Alaska: Environmental Drivers Principal Investigator Important skills for her position: Basic science training, interest in small things, interest in seeing both "big pictures" and patterns Challenges in her work: "Anything to do with studying the ocean is challenging because you can’t sample enough of it to really understand what is going on. So trying to understand what’s going on across the horizontal region, down through the water column, and through time is really hard because they all change, all of the time." Sonia's advice to young people interested in science: "If you have a questioning mind and you like looking at the way the world works, then you are a scientist.  How you use that in a career could be anything from teaching, to talking with politicians to try and get policies that will help a community - there are so many different things. I would just say that it may not be the dry and dusty thing that you think it is. You can be a scientist and have a huge range of careers. If you are interested in things like that, keep your mind open for opportunities where you can use science." Sonia Batten discusses one of the coolest things about the ocean. (0:31) Video Transcript I think the coolest thing is that you can take a bucket of seawater, you can filter out the stuff and put it under a microscope and show people and they go, “Oh my god, I didn’t know I was swimming with that!” You can look at a crab larvae, a little tiny crab before it settles out under the microscope, and it’s got, some of them have spines that are three times the length of their body sticking out, and they look like alien things, and you have no idea that you’re swimming with that kind of thing, and yeah – I think that’s cool.   Who is watching the Blob?    

Seward, AK – September 11, 2014– The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) transferred a female sea otter pup to its I.Sea.U this week.  Visitors to the Center can watch the activities of the otter and its care-givers through viewing windows near the Discovery Touch Pool. The pup, now a healthy 10-pound, 2-month old female, was found stranded as a newborn in Port Moller, Alaska after being entangled in a fishing net.  The otter was brought to the Alaska SeaLife Center on July 12 where she immediately began receiving intensive, hands-on care. Sea otter pups must be fed every two hours and constantly groomed to keep their fur clean.  Due to the maternal care required by young otters, pups this age are deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  Sea otters eat approximately 25-30% of their weight in food daily. The pup’s current diet consists mainly of sea otter formula and a small amount of solid food, such as clams, squid, and capelin.  As she grows older, solids are being slowly increased to incorporate a larger variety including shrimp and crab. Halley Werner, Stranding Supervisor at the Center states, “The transition into I.Sea.U is the next step for this young otter to become more independent. This will allow her to care for herself, with continued around-the-clock support from our animal care team.”  The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only permanent marine rehabilitation center in Alaska, responding to wildlife such as sea otters and harbor seals. The Center’s Wildlife Response Program responds to sea otters with the authorization of USFWS. Once a sea otter is admitted to the Center, it is closely monitored by the veterinary and animal care staff at ASLC. Alaska SeaLife Center President and CEO Tara Riemer explained, “We have no federal or state funding to care for sea otters, and we rely on donations to keep this program going. We especially thank Shell Exploration and Production, ConocoPhillips Alaska, and BP Alaska for their generous contributions to the Center in support of wildlife rescue and oil spill response readiness.” The Alaska SeaLife Center is a private non-profit research institution and visitor attraction, which generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems.  The Alaska SeaLife Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For additional information, visit www.alaskasealife.org. 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

Seward, Alaska (December 11, 2014) - The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is excited to announce it is currently home to a male bearded seal.  Siku, named after the Inuit word for “sea ice,” is the first of his kind to reside at the Alaska SeaLife Center – in fact the first bearded seal to reside in a North American facility. Visitors to the Center can observe Siku during daylight hours from the viewing windows next to the Discovery Touch Pool now until the end of January 2015. Siku will then be transferred to the University of California, Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory to participate in a long-term study on the hearing sensitivity of arctic seals.                                     Researchers at Long Marine Lab are examining the cognitive and sensory systems of marine mammals above and below the water’s surface. Siku will join a project studying the hearing perception of three arctic seal species: spotted, ringed, and bearded seals.  Photo courtesy of Taylor Paul Little data exists about the auditory systems of these three species. In particular, there is currently no information on the hearing capabilities of bearded seals. The psychoacoustic study of these species will provide researchers basic information about their auditory system and how common industry noise from oil and gas exploration may affect their hearing.  “We are working cooperatively with spotted, ringed, and bearded seals to learn more about how these unique animals perceive the world around them,” UC Santa Cruz Associate Research Scientist Dr. Colleen Reichmuth said. “This project will teach us about the sensory biology of ice-living seals, and will inform best management practices for these species in areas increasingly influenced by human activity.”Approval for the project was granted by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Ice Seal Commission, which work together to co-manage Alaskan ice seal populations. “We are honored to partner with UC Santa Cruz in this important research project, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this particular species,” Alaska SeaLife Center President and CEO Dr. Tara Riemer said. “No facility in North America has ever been home to a bearded seal, and we are excited that Alaskans have this opportunity to see such a special animal.” About the ASLC Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium, with wildlife response and education programs. It generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org. About the UC Santa Cruz Long Marine Lab Long Marine Laboratory is world renowned for innovative research in marine mammal physiology and ecology, marine invertebrate ecology, and marine toxicology. Researchers and staff at the lab have developed specially designed tanks and equipment that are used for studying marine mammal diving physiology, bioacoustics, and cognition. Long Marine Lab and other facilities are located at the UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science Campus on a seaside bluff a short distance from the main campus. For more information about UC Santa Cruz, visit www.ucsc.edu.  

CONTACT: Alaska SeaLife Center Tara Riemer, President and CEO Phone: (907) 224-6349 E-mail: tarar@alaskasealife.org U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Andrea Medeiros, Public Affairs Specialist Phone: (907) 786-3695 E-mail: andrea_medeiros@fws.gov Team Works to Understand Cause of Increased Sea Otter Deaths Public Asked to Report Animals Found and Not Approach   Anchorage, Alaska (October 8, 2015)– More than 200 dead or sick sea otters have been reported on beaches in the Kachemak Bay region in 2015.  Similar cases in the past have been linked to streptococcus related illnesses. A team of experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services, and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center are working to understand what has caused the spike in sea otter deaths and potential significance to the population. Despite the ongoing investigation, including exams and tests on the carcasses, the cause of death for many of the sea otters remains unknown. Sea otters are aquatic animals and normally do not spend much time on land.  If a sea otter is found on the beach, it is likely to be sick or injured and should not be approached. The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine mammals or birds, and encourages people who have found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approaching the animal.  Call first!  1-888-774-SEAL Be prepared to provide: ·         Exact location ·         Date and time of encounter ·         Number and type of animals involved ·         A description of the condition of the animal(s) ·         Any available digital photographs of the animal(s) To learn more about the Alaska SeaLife Center, visit www.alaskasealife.org. Learn more about sea otters, visit: http://1.usa.gov/1RwjIg9

Joel Sartore, Guest Speaker for 2016 Alaska Marine Gala Seward, Alaska (January 22, 2016) -  Photographer, conservationist and National Geographic Fellow, Joel Sartore, is the guest speaker for the 2016 Alaska SeaLife Center’s annual fundraising event, the Alaska Marine Gala.   Sartore’s multimedia presentation will feature his work on endangered species and landscapes from around the world. Sartore is founder of Photo Ark, a multi-year documentary project to save species and habitats. Over 5,000 species have been photographed to date, including animals from the Alaska SeaLife Center.   The Alaska Marine Gala takes place Feb. 13 at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage. For event information and tickets, visit https://alaskasealife.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2016AlaskaMarineGala/tabid/721528/Default.aspx.   About the ASLC   Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates a private, non-profit research institution and public aquarium. ASLC's mission is to generate and share 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.   

Veterinarians at ASLC express concern heading into 2016 stranding season Seward, Alaska (March 14, 2016) - Veterinarians at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) say there is every indication that 2016 will be another record year for their Wildlife Response Program following admission of two sea otter pups in the past month.   Already this year the non-profit organization, which is the only permitted marine mammal wildlife rehabilitation entity in Alaska, has recorded 80 reports alone involving otters, and that is before the summer stranding season has even begun. That number compares with a total 300 otters reported to the Center in 2015, 116 of which became cases the Center was directly involved in, peaking last September at a rate 16 times higher than for the same period in 2014.   Otter EL1620 was received into the Center from Cordova on March 7, following on the heels of otter EL1616, a pup stranded in the Kachemak Bay area. While sea otter EL1620 was observed to be a healthy size and weight, its stranding location and other factors raised concerns for the ASLC Wildlife Response Team who ultimately determined to admit EL1620. Pup EL1616 was observed in waters off Homer, appearing malnourished with other signs of stranding and an imminent threat of killer whales surrounding the pup.   Sea otters under six months require 24-hour watch. Typically ASLC staff expect to be on 24/7 duty during the summer stranding season; however, over the past ten month period the ASLC Wildlife Response Team has been on the mandatory 24-hour watch continuously with the exception of 21 days.   According to ASLC veterinarian Carrie Goertz, there is a general increase across all causes of otter deaths and there are some indications that something new may be exacerbating the situation.   “It’s hard to say how much impact the uptick in algal blooms or the El Nino pattern is having,” says Goertz. “However, the feeling is that it must be having some impact which is distressing since both are expected to continue this year.”   Currently the ASLC has six sea otters in residence. With the beginning of the stranding season later this spring, staff fully anticipates the trend to continue.   The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only permanent marine rehabilitation center in Alaska, responding to wildlife such as seals, walrus and sea otters. The Center’s Wildlife Response Program responds to sea otters with the authorization of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Once a sea otter is admitted to the Center, it is closely monitored by the veterinary and animal care staff at ASLC.   Alaska SeaLife Center President and CEO Tara Riemer explained, “We have no federal or state funding to care for sea otters, and we rely on donations to keep this program going. We especially thank individual Alaskans all around the state as well as Shell Exploration and Production and ConocoPhillips Alaska for their generous contributions to the Center in support of wildlife rescue and oil spill response readiness.”   The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine mammals or birds, and encourages people who have found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approaching the animal. Call first! 1-888-774-SEAL.     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. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.   High resolution photos and full story available from media@alaskasealife.org; 907-224-6397.    

Seward, Alaska (August 5, 2016)– The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is proud to announce the release of a male Pacific harbor seal pup on Saturday, August 6. The timing of the pup’s release coincides with the Center’s 18th Annual Wildlife Rescue Run & Walk, a fundraiser benefitting its Wildlife Response Program. The public and media are invited to attend. What:Harbor seal pup release When:Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 2:45pm Where:Public beach area southwest of the Alaska SeaLife Center along Lowell Point Road, by the waterfall, in Seward, Alaska. The pup was admitted to ASLC on May 17. Citizens reported seeing him on a beach in Seward near a high-traffic area, which may have deterred the mother from returning. After observing the pup alone for more than two hours and seeing no sign of the mother in the vicinity, Wildlife Response Program staff brought him to the Center. The pup, estimated to be one day old, showed signs of mild dehydration. Staff immediately began providing him the appropriate support and monitoring his progress around the clock. In the following 11 weeks, Ipuk (meaning snail in the Sugpiaq language) was rehydrated and transitioned from a high fat, milk-based formula to eating and catching live fish. In hisfinal veterinary exam yesterday he met weight criteria and staff determined he was ready for release. “Ipuk’s successful rehabilitation could not be more in tune with the events of this weekend,” said Dr. Kathy Woodie, staff veterinarian. “His release is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our staff and a wonderful opportunity for Wildlife Rescue runners, walkers, and sponsors to witness first-hand the program they are supporting.” The ASLC is the only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation center in Alaska, responding to wildlife such as seals, sea otters, and also seabirds. The Program is authorized to respond to stranded harbor seals under an agreement with NOAA. “Our Wildlife Response Program relies on donations to operate, respond to, and care for marine mammals and seabirds that are found injured or stranded throughout the state,” said President and CEO Dr. Tara Riemer. “We thank our 2016 program sponsors, Shell Exploration and Production and ConocoPhillips, Alaska, for their generous program support of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and oil spill response readiness.” ASLC’s 2017 Wildlife Response Program funding is currently unsecured and will rely on additional corporate sponsors and individual donations. One lucky Wildlife Rescue participant will be selected to assist in Ipuk’s release. The race awards and door prize event will begin at 2:00pm in the Center’s atrium, following the race, which begins at 12:00pm. More information on the race can be found at this link: https://alaskasealife.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2016RescueRun/tabid/783524/Default.aspx 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. The ASLC is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To learn more, visit www.alaskasealife.org.   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

Seward, Alaska (September, 28 2017) – A male sea otter pup rescued from Kasilof Beach was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center on Thursday, September 7th. The lone pup was observed on the shore covered in sand. With the support of local residents, ASLC’s Wildlife Response Team responded. Upon approval from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the pup was transported to the Center where he was examined by ASLC veterinarians. “Thankfully this weakened pup appeared to be suffering from dehydration and malnutrition and not from a severe physical trauma,” said Dr. Kathy Woodie, staff veterinarian. Estimated at two months of age, the pup is progressing well under ASLC’s 24 hour care. According to Lisa Hartman, Husbandry Manager, “He’s improving, but his condition is guarded. We are cautiously optimistic with his improvement. The first weeks after admittance to the Center are always the most critical.” Taking care of a sea otter pup this young is labor intensive as in the wild they normally remain dependent on their mothers for care and knowledge until six to nine months. ASLC’s Wildlife Response Team steps into the role of mother to teach grooming skills and feed him every three hours. Savannah Costner, an Animal Care Specialist explains, “Grooming is an essential skill for sea otter survival. Here at ASLC, the grooming process from wet to dry takes about one and a half to two hours. We separate the thick fur with combs to find wet spots and use towels and hair dryers, set on cool, to dry him out.” While the pup is currently out of public view, he is expected to soon be moved to the I.Sea.U where he will be visible to visitors of the Center. ASLC President and CEO Tara Riemer explains, “We have no federal or state funding to care for sea otters, and we rely on donations to keep this program going. During Sea Otter Awareness Week, we especially thank individual Alaskans all around the state as well as our corporate partners - BP, ConocoPhillips, SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, and PetZoo Alaska - for their generous con­tributions to the Center in support of wildlife rescue.” The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only permitted marine mammal rehabilitation center in Alaska, responding to wildlife such as seals, walrus, and sea otters year round. The Center’s Wildlife Response Program responds to sea otters with the au­thorization of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Alaska SeaLife Center operates a 24-hour hotline for the public to report stranded marine animals, and encourages people who have found a stranded or sick marine animal to avoid touching or approach­ing the animal.Call first! 1-888-774-SEAL.

Seward, Alaska (October 31, 2016)– The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to create and sustain a nationwide network of animal care professionals to respond to oil spills and other disasters. “We are honored to lead this unprecedented effort to create a vital national resource for wildlife response in the event of oil spills and other disasters,” said Tara Riemer, ASLC President and CEO. “By sharing the expertise and knowledge of the Alaska SeaLife Center with animal care professionals at AZA accredited zoos and aquariums, we will significantly enhance disaster preparedness across the United States. We are very grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for recognizing this need and supporting this ground-breaking effort.” The Alaska SeaLife Center has nearly twenty years of experience in wildlife response. Under the three-year $455,119 grant, ASLC will work with the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center (WHC) of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, to develop and deliver training courses, a mutual aid framework, and searchable database to facilitate rapid identification and deployment of appropriately trained specialists from the AZA community. “Disasters do happen, and we have a responsibility to prepare as thoroughly as possible to support wildlife and the animals in our care,” said ASLC Operations Director Chip Arnold, the project director. “We look forward to collaborating with our AZA colleagues to ensure the nation’s most highly trained veterinary and wildlife care staff are prepared to respond to disasters where and when the need is greatest.” Obstacles faced by animal care professionals in previous disasters will also be addressed, including provision of federally required Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER, certification, and training on the nationally recognized Incident Command System that manages responses to oil spills and other disasters. Updates and refresher certification programs for those previously trained will also be provided, and a train-the-trainer program will be implemented to broaden the network’s reach and support its sustainability. In addition to supporting wildlife response, the trainings will support preservation of animal collections at zoos and aquariums in the event of natural disasters. “Disaster preparedness is a priority for zoo and aquarium collections and wildlife,” said Steve Olson, Federal Relations, Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “Bringing the cutting edge expertise of the Alaska SeaLife Center to the AZA community is vitally important to our mission and the public.”   About ASLC: Opened in 1998, the Alaska SeaLife Center operates as a 501(c)(3), non-profit 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.   About WHC: The mission of the WHC is to advance the health of wildlife in balance with people and the environment. Through our projects and programs, we focus on critical issues involving free-ranging and captive terrestrial and aquatic wild animals. As key components of the One Health Institute and the School of Veterinary Medicine, we provide broad-based service, training and research activities as they relate to wildlife health and conservation. To learn more, visit http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whc/. About IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov. About AZA: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA represents more than 230 institutions in the United States and overseas, which collectively draw more than 183 million visitors every year. These institutions meet the highest standards in animal care and provide a fun, safe, and educational family experience. In addition, they dedicate millions of dollars to support scientific research, conservation, and education programs. To learn more visit www.aza.org. 

Seward, Alaska (June 05, 2017)– Summer time fun is in full swing at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) with new exhibits and experiences for visitors! Expanded summer hours now through September 3 are: Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Friday – Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm Octopus, sea otters, puffins, and sea stars, oh my! By popular demand, there are four new experiences at ASLC offered starting this summer. Similar to the classic 60-minute Encounter Tours, the new 30-minute Experience Tours offer guests an approach to learn more about Alaska’s fascinating marine life. Experiences cost $24.95/adult and $19.95/child 2-12 years, plus the price of admission or membership. Pick one, or pick them all; the choice is yours! The Aquarist Experience is offered at 11:30 am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. During this experience, join a member of the aquarium team for a feeding and learn about the unique skill set it takes to care for the nearly 200 species of fish and invertebrates here at ASLC. This small group tour is limited to six guests and for ages six and up. Suckers, tentacles, and beaks – that’s what you get during the Octo Experience. This tour offers an octopus feeding while learning about these fascinating creatures. This tour is at 4:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This tour limited to 14 guests and all ages. Love birds? Then the Avian Experience is for you. Join an education bird and their trainer to learn how diving sea birds adapt to life below the waves. Learn all about the birds at ASLC with the birds! This experience is at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tour limited to 14 guests and for ages six and up. Sea Otters are more than just cute! On the Sea Otter Experience, learn about how these remarkable marine mammals survive in the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Join our animal care staff and observe a feeding or animal enrichment session. Tour limited to 14 guest and is open to all ages. Don’t miss the new interactive exhibits in our recently renovated underwater viewing area including the Octo Grotto, home to a giant Pacific octopus; the Seal Hop and the Alaska Jelly Jam. There is so much to see this summer, you may even work up an appetite or want to grab some coffee while you are visiting. Don’t worry – our café is open too! Grab a cup of coffee or a quick meal and snack to fuel the rest of your day in Seward. Our café opened on June 1 with new hours: Thursday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Friday – Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm Reservations are recommended for all encounters, experiences and tours, 1-888-378-2525. Prices listed do not include tax. All tours and encounters require purchase of general admission. All guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. 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 or find us on Facebook. 

Seward, Alaska (April 23, 2019) – A newborn female sea otter pup was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) on April 9. After observing the sea otter pup floating alone in Kachemak Bay, concerned fishermen contacted ASLC. Volunteers based in Homer transported the pup to the Center after receiving permission from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. When the pup arrived at ASLC, the staff were surprised to see a fleshy umbilical cord, indicating she could be around a day old. It is not unusual for the ASLC to treat very young sea otter pups, but one that could be a day old or less is rare. “About ten percent of the sea otters admitted to the Center are younger than a week old, but only a few are about a day old,” states Director of Animal Health, Dr. Carrie Goertz. This young 3-pound pup is now under 24-hour care. Since the pup is so young, ASLC animal care specialists used various methods to teach her how to suckle from a bottle. “Usually the young pups catch on pretty quick, but it can take them a few days,” states Jane Belovarac, Wildlife Response Curator. ASLC staff started with syringe feeding so they could control the amount of formula the sea otter received. Now the pup is taking formula from a bottle and is being fed every 2 hours.  The Alaska SeaLife Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and the only permitted marine mammal rehabilitation center in Alaska. Over 80% of the funding for ASLC’s Wildlife Response Program comes from charitable donations. The Center is thankful for organizations like SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, BP Alaska, ConocoPhillips Alaska, GCI and PetZoo whose generous support helps ASLC care for marine mammals like sea otters. Since the Alaska SeaLife Center responds to 33,904 miles of coastline, stranding partners and civilians are critical in assisting the Center with wildlife response calls. When an animal is in distress the first reaction is often to tend to it. This can be a mistake as it is sometimes difficult to distinguish distress from normal behavior. Sea otters leave their young in what they perceive to be a safe place while they forage for food. If people or pets are nearby when they return they are likely to abandon their young. Marine mammals have been safeguarded by the Marine Mammal Protection Act since 1972, so any disturbance to them is illegal without permission from the correct government authorities. If a sick or injured animal is encountered, ASLC staff urge people to call first, observe at a safe distance, respect the animal’s territory, and keep pets and children away. ASLC operates a 24-hour stranding hotline where trained professionals will walk people through the proper steps to assist the animal. Call 1-888-774-SEAL if you see a marine mammal in distress.

Seward, Alaska (June 19, 2019) – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) will be highlighting seabird research and education all weekend long at the inaugural Seward Seabird Festival. On June 21, 22, and 23, events throughout Seward will focus on the arrival of Alaska’s seabirds. The Center will have activities and programs throughout the day where guests can learn more about these magnificent creatures. The Seward Seabird Festival is co-sponsored by ASLC, Seward Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and National Park Service.   ASLC is excited to offer additional programming about Alaska’s seabirds throughout the weekend: ● At the Interpretative Bird Dive at 9:00 am on Friday, visitors can watch divers in action and learn more about their underwater work in the seabird habitat. ● Puffin Encounters are offered twice daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm where guests get the chance to participate in a feeding in the aviary with resident puffins. Reservations recommended; additional fee applies. ● Seabird Keeper Chats happen daily at 10:30 am. Avian staff will give visitors a glimpse into the animal care at the Center, and guests will hear about the gossip of the aviary. ● Learn more about Alaska’s seabirds by visiting with an educator at the daily Education Station at 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm. ● Outside on the ASLC plaza there will be food and art vendors, a kids’ tent with fun educational activities and crafts, a chance to earn your Junior Seabirder badge, and more! ● A Private Photography Session in the Aviary will take place Saturday morning before opening. Go behind the scenes into ASLC’s seabird exhibit for a personal, up-close opportunity to photograph the birds. Reservations required; additional fee applies. A keynote address, “The birds’ tale: Long-term seabird research on Middleton Island” by Scott Hatch, will take place across the street from ASLC at the K.M. Rae Building at 125 Third Avenue on Saturday at 4:00 pm. Hatch is a wildlife biologist whose research interests are population biology and feeding ecology of North Pacific seabirds.   Bird-watching competitions, talks by bird experts, seabird boat charters and cruises, and bird trivia night and more are happening at different locations in town. For a detailed schedule of events, please visit the ASLC website at www.alaskasealife.org/sewardseabird.   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.