Conservation | Whale Watching | Mammals
Thursday, July 31, 2008
BLUE WHALE FLUKE PRINTS AND POOP PRINTS | Hugh 
An adult blue whale can eat over 4 tons of krill per day and just like you and I after gorging ourselves on our favorite foods, a lot of what enters our body via the mouth, usually exits the body a bit further down.
10 Year Anniversary Stories | Volunteering | Mammals
Thursday, July 03, 2008
TOPAZ: THE CAT THAT THE AQUARIUM WAS BUILT AROUND | Hugh
Which animal at the Aquarium of the Pacific has been there the longest? Is it one of the sea otters? Perhaps it’s one of the seals? Maybe even one of the sharks? Actually the animal with the longest tenure at the Aquarium is Topaz the cat. Now… I know what you’re thinking: What is a cat doing at an aquarium? Well, truth be told, Topaz was here at the site way before the first fish ever swam here. This is his story.
Conservation | 10 Year Anniversary Stories | Volunteering | Amphibians | Birds | Fish | Mammals | Sharks | Turtles
Thursday, June 05, 2008
HUGH’S TOP TEN AQUARIUM MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES | Hugh
This June 20th is the tenth anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Aquarium of the Pacific back in 1998. However, this June 6th is my ten year anniversary of the day that I started volunteering at the Aquarium. To commemorate my anniversary day, this week’s blog is about my top ten Aquarium memories and experiences.
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?
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.
Volunteering | Mammals
Thursday, April 10, 2008
How to Train a Sea Lion (and a Rabbit) | Hugh
Just because you don’t have a handy sea lion around doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun training animals. Any critter can be trained as long as you know what makes it happy!
Conservation | Volunteering | Fish | Invertebrates | Mammals
Thursday, March 27, 2008
ODE TO A BOX OF SQUID | Hugh
“Calamari in my hand—-
Fancy name bestowed by man.
Kids will eat it with a bib—-
To a seal it’s just a squid.”
The story of Loligo opalescens—-aka Calamari or Market Squid
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Harpo & Milo Have Arrived in the Seal & Sea Lion Habitat! | Staci
It’s been about a month since my last update on Harpo and Milo, our two youngest California sea lions. It’s my pleasure to report that this past Thursday, March 20, these two frisky pinnipeds joined the rest of our flippered family in the 211,000 gallon Seal and Sea Lion Habitat and now you can come and welcome them, too!
Conservation | Birds | Mammals | Reptiles
Monday, March 17, 2008
Up Close and Personal-The Program Animals | Hugh
Lola is a cockatoo. How do I know this? Because Lola told me that he was. When program keeper Melissa had the bird on her arm and asked Lola “What are you?” Lola replied “COCKTOO!” Lola is one of the many program animals that our staff takes around the aquarium to interact with guests.
