An Extraordinary Rescue: Otter Pup Survives Orca Attack and is Admitted to ASLC Wildlife Response Program
September 18, 2023

The ASLC has admitted a second northern sea otter pup into the wildlife response program. The pup was orphaned following an orca attack incidentally witnessed by ASLC laboratory technician and wildlife response team member Natalie Hunter.
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ASLC Helps Host FREE Seward Marine Science Symposium Event
September 11, 2023

On September 17, 2023, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), Chugach Regional Resources Commission’s (CRRC) Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Seward Marine Center, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration will host the 2023 Seward Marine Science Symposium. This free event, 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. AKDT, will be held at the university’s K.M. Rae Marine Education Building, 125 Third Avenue, Seward, Alaska.
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ASLC Admits Sea Otter Pup Patient Found on the Side of the Road in Kenai
September 7, 2023

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a female northern sea otter pup to the Wildlife Response Program on September 4, 2023. This pup joins an extensive roster of 2023 patients cared for by the ASLC, including ten harbor seals, a fur seal, a walrus calf, and more.
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ASLC Mourns the Loss of Special Wildlife Response Patient
August 11, 2023

Since his arrival, the walrus calf had been struggling with a number of serious health concerns on top of nutrient malabsorption, which can make treatment difficult to stay ahead of. Dr. Carrie, ASLC Director of Animal Health, explains that the calf was struggling with multiple complications, including hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal problems, in the 24 hours leading up to his passing.
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Rare Pacific Walrus Calf Admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center Wildlife Response Program
August 3, 2023

The Alaska SeaLife Center is caring for a male Pacific walrus calf that arrived from the North Slope of Alaska on August 1, 2023. This is the Center’s first walrus patient in four years, and one of only ten admitted in the Center’s 25-year history, making this an exceptional case for the Wildlife Response Program and a rare opportunity for all involved.
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Neisha Jones Fills New Director of People and Culture Role at the ASLC
July 27, 2023

The Alaska SeaLife Center is proud to announce that Neisha Jones has been chosen to become the Center’s first Director of People and Culture. In this newly created executive leadership position, Jones will serve as the organizational lead for all human resources and diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) functions. Jones is a certified professional in human resources and a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) practitioner with over 10 years of experience practicing human resources in the public, non-profit, and education industries. Jones’ extensive work with national organizations is a major asset in ASLC’s DEAI efforts and advancement of organizational environmental initiatives within Alaska and beyond.
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Dr. John Fraser Fills New Director of Mission Impact Role at the Alaska SeaLife Center
July 20, 2023

The ASLC is excited to announce the appointment of John Fraser, Ph.D., AIA as the organization’s new Director of Mission Impact beginning on July 17, 2023. Dr. Fraser is a noted international conservation psychologist and architect, known in the zoo and aquarium community for leading research on the social value of zoos and aquariums. Fraser was a founder of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Research and Technology Committee and has continued service on that committee for the past 15 years.
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ASLC admits five more harbor seal pups in June
June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023 -  Over a nine-day period in early June, five harbor seal pups were admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s (ASLC) Wildlife Response Program. With these new patients joining four from late May, nine harbor seal pups are now under ASLC care.
 
Three newborns arrived in quick succession — a male from Pilot Point on June 2, a female from Homer on June 3, and a male from Kenai on June 4. The fourth and fifth pups — a male from Homer and a female from Nikiski — were admitted on June 8 and 10, respectively. All five seals were reported to the ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325).
 
Upon discovery, each of the five pups was dehydrated, underweight, and had umbilical cords still attached, pointing to abandonment or separation shortly after birth. Newborn seal pups cannot survive long without maternal care, and in each of the five cases, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved rescue after determining the seals were unlikely to survive without intervention. With help and coordination from members of the public, ASLC volunteers, and NOAA officials, all five pups arrived safely at the Alaska Sealife Center for care.
 
Stabilizing treatments are currently being administered by wildlife response and veterinary staff, and the pups will remain under close watch to further understand the severity of their conditions. More information will follow after further monitoring and examination.
 
The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, Partners 4 Wildlife, Matson, GCI, and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as Stanley J. Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.
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ASLC’s Wildlife Response Program admits their fourth patient of the season, a female harbor seal pup from Nikiski.
June 9, 2023

May 31, 2023 – The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted a harbor seal pup to the Wildlife Response Program on May 28, 2023. This is the fourth harbor seal pup admitted to the Wildlife Response Program in the past week.

The newborn female was observed on a crowded fishing beach for several hours, with no adult seals seen in the area. Concerned people fishing nearby called the ASLC 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325), and after receiving NOAA approval, the animal was transported to the Center.

Upon admit, the seal was estimated to be less than two days old. The main concerns found by the ASLC veterinary team during the admit exam were dehydration and its young age. The team is currently providing stabilizing treatments and monitoring her closely. The ASLC will continue to share updates on current patients on their social media pages and the Wildlife Response Rescue and Rehab Journal on the ASLC website.

The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, Partners 4 Wildlife, Matson, GCI,  and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as Stanley J Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.

Call first! Before approaching an injured or stranded marine animal in Alaska, call the  24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL(7325). 

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ASLC admits three harbor seal pups from the Copper River area in less than 72 hours.
June 9, 2023

May 26, 2023 – Over the last week, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted three harbor seal pups to the Wildlife Response Program from the Copper River area. A female harbor seal pup was admitted on Sunday, May 21, 2023, and a male and female were admitted two days later on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

All three pups were reported to the ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325) by separate callers. They were all spotted in different locations along the Copper River by different fishing boats, with no adult seals seen in the area. Newborn harbor seal pups cannot survive on their own so NOAA approved ASLC to respond to the three pups.

The Alaska State Wildlife Troopers were essential in transporting all three pups from the fishing boats to the Cordova Airport to be flown to Anchorage. Once the pups arrived in Anchorage, NOAA staff transported the pups to meet the ASLC Wildlife Response Team along the Seward Highway in Turnagain Pass. After transferring the patients to an ASLC response vehicle, they then completed their journey to the Alaska SeaLife Center for treatment.

The main concerns found by the ASLC veterinary team upon the initial admit exams for all three pups were malnourishment and dehydration. All three pups still had umbilical cords attached, signaling that all were less than a week old. The ASLC will continue to share updates on the patients’ status on their social media pages.

The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from corporate sponsors and individual donors. People are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of the Wildlife Response Program from supporters like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, PetZoo, Partners 4 Wildlife, Matson, GCI,  and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as Stanley J Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and the NC Giving Fund.

Call first! Before approaching an injured or stranded marine animal in Alaska, call the 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL(7325). 

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New Scientific Publication: Changes in Steller Seal Lion Winter Diets Following the Pacific Marine Heatwave
May 1, 2023

Dr. John Maniscalco, Ph. D. — a lead scientist at the ASLC — recently published a peer-reviewed article in Global Ecology and Conservation that looks at how the Pacific marine heatwave could have affected the winter diets of the Endangered population of Steller sea lions in Alaska.
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ASLC Wildlife Response Program Admits First Fur Seal Patient in Six Years
February 3, 2023

The Alaska SeaLife Center admitted a northern fur seal pup to the Wildlife Response Program on January 31, 2023. Fur seals are relatively uncommon wildlife response patients, and have not been cared for at the ASLC since 2017.

 

The female pup, estimated to be around six months old, was seen swimming erratically near the shore in Sitka, Alaska. Her abnormal behavior worried local residents, who reported the pup to the ASLC 24-hour stranding hotline (1-888-774-7325). Sitka is an unusual location to see northern fur seals this time of year, which raised concerns for her survival by ASLC staff. After receiving approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the animal was transported to the Center for treatment.

 

The main concerns found by the ASLC veterinary team upon the initial admit exam were dehydration, malnourishment, and signs of an unknown infection found in her bloodwork. Despite these concerns, she was observed to be active and alert when handled. The team found no evidence of severe physical trauma; however, noted that the pup seems smaller than average for her age. Staff are currently providing initial treatments and examining the patient further to understand more details about her condition. 

 

The Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program can only provide care for stranded and injured marine animals with help from federal grants, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. Those interested are encouraged to contribute to the care of rehabilitating marine animals here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate. The Center acknowledges the ongoing generous support of its Wildlife Response Program from companies like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Matson, PetZoo, GCI, and a number of individual donors, funds, and foundations such as The Stanley J. Williams Fund, Mesara Family Foundation, and The NC Giving Fund. 

 

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ASLC Mourns Unexpected Passing of Steller Sea Lion, Mist
January 30, 2023

The ASLC is saddened to share that Mist, a two-and-a-half-year-old Steller sea lion, unexpectedly passed away on January 23, 2023. The reason for her death is currently unclear. She appeared to experience seizure-like tremors and passed away within minutes of the episode. This is a heartbreaking loss for both the ASLC staff and the entire community.
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Alaska SeaLife Center Announces 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award Recipients
January 23, 2023

These awards are given annually to individuals and organizations
that have made significant contributions to the awareness and sustainability of the state’s marine resources.
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Alaska SeaLife Center Announces New Board Members, Officers
December 7, 2022

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is pleased to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors in 2022. Each of these members will serve a three-year term. The Board also elected new officers: Josie Hickel as Chair, Rachel Bunnell as Vice Chair, and Brian Pinkston as Treasurer, with Darryl Schafermeyer continuing as Secretary. Officers will serve in these positions for two years.
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Nominations Now Open for 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards
November 2, 2022

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) announces the opening of the nomination period for the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards. ASLC established the Awards to recognize those who have made significant contributions to ocean sciences, education, and resource management in Alaska. Nominations for the 2023 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards are open now through December 12, 2022.
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Otter Pup Patient "Qilak" Arrives to New Home at Shedd Aquarium
October 27, 2022

After nearly two months of rehabilitation at the Alaska SeaLife Center, male sea otter pup "Qilak" finds home in Chicago at Shedd Aquarium.
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ASLC Maintains Prestigious Accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
September 20, 2022

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) this week announced that the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) was granted continued accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission for meeting the highest standards in animal wellbeing, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety.
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ASLC Admits Two New Marine Mammal Patients
September 14, 2022

The Wildlife Response Program patients include a young harbor seal and a sea otter pup
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CORaL Network Brings Together Six Alaskan Conservation Organizations
June 24, 2022

CORaL Network Brings Together Six Alaskan Conservation Organizations, EVOSTC Funds Five-Year, $12.5 Million Education Project for Continued Scientific Support
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Alaska SeaLife Center Admits First Two Harbor Seal Pups of 2022 Season
June 13, 2022

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) admitted the first two harbor seal pup patients to the Wildlife Response Program on June 2, 2022.
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Updated Safety Procedures Now in Place Due to Avian Influenza
June 2, 2022

The Alaska SeaLife Center is taking extra measures to protect its resident birds against Avian Influenza.  As a precaution
to keep the birds within its Seabird Aviary safe, we have made the decision to close the aviary at this time. However, the birds are still viewable from the Rocky Coast Area as well as in Underwater Viewing.
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New Safety Procedures Now in Place Due to Avian Influenza
May 25, 2022

A strain of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is currently spreading throughout North America, including Alaska, in domestic poultry and wild birds. Due to this spread, the Alaska SeaLife Center is taking extra measures to mitigate the spread of the virus in its resident birds.
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ASLC Becomes the First Sensory Inclusive Certified Organization in Alaska
April 21, 2022

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) has partnered with KultureCity to be the first Sensory Inclusive Certified organization in the State of Alaska. With this new certification, ASLC is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible when visiting.

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Female Elephant Seal is Alaska SeaLife Center’s First Marine Mammal Patient of 2022
April 12, 2022

The Alaska SeaLife Center admitted the first marine mammal patient of the year to its Wildlife Response Program, a 1-year-old female elephant seal from Seward. Within a week, the care of this animal concluded with a successful release of the seal back to the ocean.
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