Animal Updates | Birds | Mammals | Penguins | Sharks | Turtles | Volunteering
Thursday, June 06, 2013
15 Years of Aquarium Memories | Hugh 
The first week of June marks my 15th year of volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Later this month the Aquarium celebrates the 15th Anniversary of its Grand Opening. So to commemorate both occasions, in no particular order, I’d like to share 15 of my favorite memories of the Aquarium of the Pacific over the years.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
IT’S A BOY! | Hugh
Shelby the Harbor Seal gives birth to a male pup.
Shelby, the most lovable and huggable seal in the Aquarium, has her own huggable seal to lavish love on. On May 1, 2013 she gave birth to a 14.8 kilogram male harbor seal.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Conservation | Education
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Farewell May Grays! | Julien
The first few weeks of May have given us the final glimpses of our Pacific gray whales and many cow/calf pairs! Since the first we have had nine sightings of gray whales, eight of which were females and young calves. Keep reading to find out more about our recent whale and dolphin sightings!
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Welcome Back Charlie! | Hugh
The critter that pushed the envelope in otter behavior is back in Long Beach.
Charlie the Sea Otter is famous amongst zoological institutions. He was the first sea otter trained to give a voluntary blood sample. For the past couple of years Charlie was up north in a famous research facility participating in an important research project on sea otter hearing. Now that that research is concluded he has returned to his home town of Long Beach.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Education | Whale Watching
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Cows, Calves and Breaching Whales! | Julien
These last few weeks of April have been filled with mother and baby gray whale moments. This is the peak time of the season where we see the most cow/calf pairs heading back to Alaska since they are the last groups to leave Baja. Since the 15th we have seen 14 pairs. Keep reading to find out more!
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Steller Sea Lion Getting “Thiggy” with California Sea Lions | Hugh
Parker is the Aquarium of the Pacific’s largest California Sea Lion. Standing next to him in the pinniped exhibit I am in awe how massive he’s become. This summer he should top out at about 700 pounds! And he’s still growing! Yet this favorite sea lion of mine is a mere Hobbit when compared to the largest of the Otariidae, the Steller Sea Lion.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Conservation | Whale Watching
Thursday, April 18, 2013
One Whale, Two Whale, Gray Whale, Blue Whale! Killer Whales and Humpbacks too! | Julien
Whales everywhere! So far, April has been a great month for seeing multiple species of whales and dolphins, and we have had some pretty exciting trips. The blues are still being sighted periodically and we have had five sightings already this month! Keep reading for all the latest and greatest whale sighting information.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Penguins | Volunteering
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Critter Portraits | Hugh
This week I’d like to share some critter portraits I’ve taken over the past few months.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Conservation | Whale Watching
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Orcas, Blues, Humpbacks and Baby Grays! | Julien
We have been having phenomenal whale watches the last few weeks of March! Orcas, humpbacks, minkes, fins, grays and more early blue whales have filled our recent trips with excitement. Read on to see details and great photos!
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Otter Wish List | Hugh
It was one of the cutest and most fun enrichment sessions I’ve had with the otters. A simple child-like teething toy that the Furball was greatly enjoying was bringing a big smile to my face. As she chewed and tugged on the durable plaything I thought to myself how neat it was that such a simple item could bring so much happiness to this otter. Now the public has a chance to help enrich the lives of our critters by way of the Animal Care Wish List.
