Conservation | Mammals
Monday, January 05, 2009
RESCUING AN ENTANGLED GRAY WHALE | Hugh 
In my over 20 years of being involved with marine mammals I’ve had some memorable moments. One of the most memorable was the day back in the early 1990s when a whale research crew that I was part of helped a Bay Watch Lifeguard rescue an entangled gray whale just offshore of the cliffs of Point Vicente. The following story is about that day.
10 Year Anniversary Stories | Volunteering | Mammals
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Shelby the Harbor Seal | Hugh
While Ellie, our eldest harbor seal who was born and raised in New York carries herself around with a reserved dignity that is reminiscent of the East Coast Socialite that she was named after, Shelby, our other female harbor seal is a definitely an outgoing California Girl.
Volunteering | Mammals
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Parker The Sea Lion Gets Airborne | Hugh
For an animal in the ocean, the ability to leap out the water for a short period can enhance its survival, navigation and foraging capabilities. Parker the sea lion is learning how to demonstrate this ability as he is being trained by our staff to porpoise out of the water.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, November 20, 2008
How To Pet A Porcupine | Hugh
The wonderful benefit about having various program animals around the Aquarium is how much you can learn from them. For instance, before I met one of our new program animals my perception of all porcupines was that of a slow awkward ground dwelling creature that was bristling with sharp needles pointed in all directions that was just waiting to impale your body. Needless to say that I was also sure that porcupines did not possess Positive Thigmotaxis like sea lions and did not like to be touched. Then I met Tito the porcupine.
Conservation | Volunteering | Turtles
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Endangered Sea Turtle Released Back Into The Wild | Hugh
It’s one of those feel good episodes that makes me proud that I volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. An injured endangered green sea turtle is nursed back to health by Aquarium staff and released back into the wild.
Conservation | Mammals
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH BOBCATS | Hugh
The watershed of Southern California through its rivers, creeks, and washes, feeds wetland areas that support biodiversity within our urban environment. These wetlands help maintain an environmental food chain that runs from the tiniest worm and plant to high end carnivores On a walk through one of these wetlands earlier this year, my wife Pam and I encountered one of these high end carnivores in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine, California.
Volunteering | Mammals
Thursday, October 09, 2008
GETTING “THIGGY” WITH MILO THE SEA LION | Hugh
Thigmotaxis is the scientific term to describe an animal’s need to be in physical contact with another animal. The mammalogist call positive thigmotaxis “Getting Thiggy”. Milo our young California sea lion definitely likes to get Thiggy with his trainers.
Conservation | Volunteering | Birds | Mammals | Turtles
Thursday, September 25, 2008
FROM SEA TO CEMENT-A Walk Along The San Gabriel River | Hugh
Wildlife seen on a walk from the mouth of the San Gabriel River between Alamitos Bay and Seal Beach, to where the river turns into a cement storm channel about 4 miles inland.
Conservation | Volunteering | Birds | Turtles
Thursday, September 11, 2008
NOTES FROM THE RIVER | Hugh
“Dude” the sea turtle, “White-Tip” the Coyote and other critters observed from the banks of the San Gabriel River.
Volunteering
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Random Notes From An Aquarium Volunteer | Hugh
This week’s blog is just some quick random notes and images from around the Aquarium.
