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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
Animal Updates | Penguins | Volunteering
Thursday, March 14, 2013
iPad-Playing Penguins | Hugh
Penguins chase a virtual mouse
Take an old obsolete iPad. Load up a cat game app. Place in front of a couple of young curious penguins and you have the recipe for a fun time for these aquatic birds and a pretty neat video.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Furball Through The Years | Hugh
Watching a Sea Otter Grow Up
I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to watch the Gidget the Sea Otter as she grew from a shy orphan pup to a good natured young adult. This week I’d like to share some images of the Furball through the years.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Conservation | Volunteering
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Adventures in Otter Space | Hugh
Epilogue
As my adventures with Gidget the orphan Sea Otter draws to a close I’d like to share the full story of my relationship with her during her time in Long Beach.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering | Whale Watching
Monday, January 07, 2013
Hiding From Killer Whales | Hugh
Grays Whale use Kelp Forest to hide from Orcas
On New Years Day 2013, four killer whales from the pod known as CA-51 swam past Point Vicente where I was helping out the Gray Whale Census Project spot cetaceans. As I went down to the cliff side to get a better angle on the orcas my wife Pam yelled at me to look down. When I did I was surprised to see two gray whales apparently hiding out in the kelp below the cliff.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Video | Volunteering
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Happy Holidays From The Otters | Hugh
As a holiday treat for our otter fans I’d like to share a video of the sea otters enjoying their snowman and treats during this month’s Holiday Treats for the Animals festivities.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, December 06, 2012
A Snowman for the Otters | Hugh
An Annual Tradition Continued
During the annual Holiday Treats for the Animals festival it has become a tradition for me to build the first snowman of the season for the sea otters in their exhibit. I will be sharing some images and annecdotes on this year’s creation.
