Education | Whale Watching | Mammals
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Flippers, Fins, and Flukes, OH MY! | Kera 
About a year ago, I was out on the boat as usual and was super excited to see all of the animals in the area. At this time, the gray whales had pretty much finished up migrating through our waters. We’d still see a few stragglers here and there. This was also the time that humpbacks poked their heads into our waters. Around this time every year we get humpback whales that also pass through here. Their migration is a little different and the majority of the humpback whales we see are coming from Central America and Mexico. I’d recently seen my first two humpback whales, and couldn’t wait to hopefully find more. And boy was I in for a surprise! On May 1, 2008, I got a very nice showing. I saw flippers, fins, and flukes, oh my!
Animal Updates | Mammals | Education | Volunteering
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Animal Spotlight: Meet Tito the Prehensile-tailed Porcupine | Staci
Have you heard the news? A new resident has moved in to the Aquarium‘s Explorer‘s cove! He’s covered in stiff, sharp spines called quills. He has a big, round, fuzzy nose. He’s an expert climber with the aid of his prehensile tail. Welcome Tito the prehensile-tailed porcupine, the newest addition to the program animal family!
Education | Volunteering
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Volunteers share their love of the Aquarium and its animals with public | Josie
Whenever the Aquarium’s marketing department gets a request from an outside organization that would like to have someone come to speak about our operation to a group or present information at fiestas and other events, it is volunteers who take the ball and run with it, sharing our joys and the wonders of the Pacific Ocean with others.
Conservation | Education | Sharks
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Animal Encounter: Sharks! | Staci
Whew! It’s been a busy summer here at the Aquarium! Extraordinary whale watches, energetic day camps, packed Behind-the-scenes Tours, and hopping Summer Sundays. Our animal encounters have also been quite popular, and one of the encounters I’ve had the pleasure of leading recently focuses on the ocean’s most perfect predators: SHARKS! If you have ever wanted to have an up-close and personal, hands-on experience with these magnificent creatures, then this is the encounter for you.
Conservation | Education | Volunteering | Reptiles | Turtles
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Where Are the Sea Turtles? | Staci
That is one of those popular questions our guests ask several times a week, and I’m always happy to point them in the right direction! Two olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacae), Theo and Lou, reside in the Aquarium’s beautiful Tropical Pacific Gallery. Theo can often be seen cruising by our dive volunteers during the Tropical Reef Dive, while Lou can be frequently observed napping as you walk through the serene tropical tunnel. Helping out with the care of these magnificent creatures is one of the best parts of my aquarist volunteer days, so please read on to learn more about sea turtles!
Education | 10 Year Anniversary Stories
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
10 Year Anniversary Blog - Claudia Harden | Guest Blogger
Claudia Harden, currently a presenter at the Aquarium, shares her experiences of being a charter volunteer and touring the Aquarium before construction was completed.
Education
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The ABC’s of Filtration at the Aquarium | Staci
Whether you’re maintaining an exhibit that holds 200 gallons or 200,000 gallons, filtration is an integral part of any successful man-made marine habitat. Recently, I mentioned that the Aquarium filters approximately 1,000,000 gallons of salt water per hour to support over 12,000 marine residents. Why is filtration necessary? Fortunately, the Education Department provided me with a wealth of information on filtration practices in effect at the Aquarium of the Pacific that I would love to share with you!
Education | Volunteering | Fish | Mammals
Monday, May 26, 2008
It’s so nice to be appreciated! | Josie
Along with the national Volunteer Appreciation Week came lots of treats for those of us who give our time freely for no pay at the Aquarium of the Pacific. My, how it’s nice to be appreciated!
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.
