Conservation | Volunteering | Birds
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Make Way For Ducklings | Hugh 
The staff at the Aquarium not only talks the talk when it comes to protecting Nature—-they also walk the walk and for a family of ducks, they were their Guardian Angels. This is the story of how three husbandry staffers helped a female Mallard and her eight ducklings make it through the urban jungle of Long Beach and safely to the water in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s version of MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS.
Education | Mammals
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Leading an Animal Encounter: Sea Otters | Staci
In addition to continuing to blog about some of the goings-on in the Marine Mammal Department, I thought it would be nice to share some stories from other parts of the Aquarium as well! I’ve recently started as an Aquarist Volunteer in our Tropical Gallery, and I continue to be part of the paid staff in the Education Department. Each job brings new and exciting duties, and this past week was the first time I was able to lead one of our Animal Encounters focusing on one of my favorite animals: the sea otter. Ever wondered how we prepare for our Sea Otter Encounter and what happens during the two-hour tour?
Education | Volunteering
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Teamwork between agencies makes port area safer | Josie
Thanks to our inter-departmental Emergency Operations Center-which works to ensure that we can handle emergencies to safeguard the well-being of our guests, staff, and animals-and the cooperation of area emergency response agencies, I feel quite safe here, at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Fish | Sharks
Friday, May 09, 2008
Everybody, lets welcome Ginger Bling! | David
Shark Lagoon welcomed a new resident late last year—a sandbar shark! Her name is Ginger Bling and, let me tell you, she is one gorgeous fishy!
Volunteering | Mammals
Thursday, May 08, 2008
The Seal that Rescued a Rescuer | Hugh
I’ve been asked by visitors to the Aquarium what my favorite pinniped is. Most of them expect my answer to be either the California sea lion (like Miller) or the Harbor seal (like Ellie) because of how much I work and play with these critters. They are surprised when I tell them that the Elephant seal is actually my favorite. This is the story of how a young elephant seal once saved this volunteer from a mauling by a pack of wild animals.
Education | Volunteering | Reptiles | Turtles
Monday, April 28, 2008
Chickens aren’t the only ones | Josie
I spent another day with the kindergarteners at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, with which the Aquarium of the Pacific has a partnership, helping Emily teach this month’s science lesson on eggs. We showed the children that chickens aren’t the only animals that lay eggs, and they were totally amazed when they saw how large a leatherback turtle grows, after being born from an egg that is roughly the size of a ping-pong ball.
Education | Volunteering
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Water Works: Where Our Water Comes From | Staci
Roughly 12,500 Pacific Ocean animals representing almost 500 species reside here at the Aquarium. No matter what their differences in appearance or habitat, all of them rely on one very important ingredient in their daily lives: seawater.
Volunteering | Fish
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
SKIPPY THE MUDSKIPPER | Hugh
In an odd paradox; when one visits the home of Skippy the Mudskipper one has to look underwater for snakes and above water for fish. Skippy and his mudskipper buddies are quite entertaining to watch so this week’s blog also includes a video of Skippy who acts more like a dog than a fish.
Fish | Sharks
Friday, April 18, 2008
Egg identification | David
Everyday, the sharks at Shark Lagoon lay lots of eggs. This time, I am going to give y’all a break down of all the different kinds of eggs you can expect to see at Shark Lagoon.
Birds
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Lorikeets are loads of colorful fun! | Josie
Lorikeet Forest was closed for a few weeks, so as soon I could, I made sure to get right back in there to see our colorful little friends and admire an exhibit upgrade that includes some new landscaping, a little remodeling of the shaded area enclosure, and new fencing. It looks pretty spiffy! Watching the birds cavort around, as they interacted with our guests, brought me back to a few amusing moments that I’ve spent in this habitat.
