Between the 1970s and 2000, the western population of Steller sea lions experienced a population decline of over 75%, dropping by at least 170,000 animals according to NOAA’s stock assessments. This dramatic decline made it clear to scientists that there was an urgent need for long-term research and monitoring of this important marine mammal species.  […]

On Chiswell Island in the Gulf of Alaska, an endangered population of Steller sea lions returns year after year between May and July to breed and give birth. Since 1998, researchers at the Alaska SeaLife Center have utilized a remote-control live video monitoring system to study the behavior and population dynamics of these Steller sea […]

From Alaska to Washington D.C., America’s Aquariums Are Sounding the Alarm for Our Ocean Last month, Alaska SeaLife Center President and CEO Dr. Wei Ying Wong and Chief Human Resources Officer Neisha Jones traveled all the way from Alaska to Washington, D.C. to represent the Alaska SeaLife Center’s voice at Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW). […]

Spring is starting to appear all over Resurrection Bay, and here at the Alaska SeaLife Center, many seabirds in the aviary are entering the early stages of their breeding cycle. One of the most visible signs of this seasonal shift for the birds is molting—a natural process where birds shed old, worn feathers and grow […]

A young northern sea otter in Seward, Alaska has become the center of a rescue effort that highlights just how hard living in the wild can be. This otter, estimated to be just six to eight months old, was first spotted over a month ago in the small boat harbor, suffering from visible facial injuries and head swelling. How he was first injured will likely remain a mystery, but possibilities include a boat strike or attack from another animal.

First Sighting and Community Response In mid-July 2023, visitors to a remote campsite near Seldovia spotted a young harbor seal with visible wounds on her face and reached out to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s wildlife response team with concerns. Unfortunately, rescue wasn’t immediately possible due to the remote location and the tides. A few days […]

At the ASLC, our ringed and spotted seals are part of the PHOCAS “science squad.” They voluntarily contribute to research efforts that enhance our knowledge of their species. Tunu and Kunik have been especially impactful, contributing to more than 18 scientific studies focused on ice seals. Their next chapter will involve taking part in detailed studies of their sensory biology at Long Marine Lab in Santa Cruz, California.

Now that Uki has arrived safely to her long term home, we’re looking back at the in depth care that allowed her to regain her health and strength. come behind the scenes with us for an inside look at an overnight shift caring for Ukiaq the orphaned walrus calf! How does Ukiaq spend her day? […]

The bond between a mother and her offspring is known to be the longest and strongest among pinnipeds, with walrus calves relying on their mom for one to two years and some will stay with their mom for up to five years. So what happens if a calf is orphaned and needs help?  The ASLC […]

The Incredible Legacy of Cargo the Steller’s Eider At the ASLC, every animal we meet leaves a lasting impact. Cargo, one of our cherished Steller’s eider hens, was a beacon of hope in our conservation efforts. Most ASLC visitors and even our staff don’t get the opportunity to interact with our off-display animals like Cargo […]

Dr. Maniscalco shares new findings from the Chiswell Island Steller Sea Lion Project, which included optimistic improvements in Steller sea lion survival and reproductive rates in the three most recent years, as well as an interesting new discovery that could adversely impact the population for years to come. 

The 2023 CCE group poses with members of the U.S. Forest Service dusky Canada goose monitoring team after learning how to analyze and collect data about a dusky Canada goose nest island site in the Copper River Delta near Cordova. Cordova, June 2023. The Alaska SeaLife Center is a proud member of the CORaL Network […]

2023 Wildlife Response Season From the Eyes of Jordyn Collis, ASLC Summer Intern When I learned I would be coming to ASLC as a wildlife response Intern, I briefly worried, “What if it’s a slow season and we don’t get many patients?”  That fear was very quickly put to rest when I arrived in Seward, […]

For the first time in the history of the Alaska SeaLife Center, a pair of Steller’s eiders — Prince and Bowie — have been released into the aviary. While Steller’s eiders were previously kept in behind-the-scenes habitats due to their involvement in sensitive research, new developments have allowed aviculturists to share this rare species of […]

Now a staff and guest favorite, Asiqtuq “Tuq” the harbor seal was brought to the Alaska SeaLife Center through the Wildlife Response Program. The call came on May 27, 2021, through the ASLC’s 24-hour Stranded Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-SEAL [7325]) concerning an abandoned seal pup near Tonsina Point, about three miles south of the Alaska […]

Extreme climate events are being experienced worldwide, and Alaska ecosystems, unfortunately, have a front-row seat. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes, are having profound environmental impacts, and are expected to continue for decades to come. One of these extreme climate events, called the Pacific marine heatwave, occurred between 2014 and 2016. During this time, water temperatures […]

In the Summer of 2022, I moved 5,000 miles from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Seward, Alaska; I had no permanent housing, no friends, and little familiarity with the state’s rugged landscape – only a determined spirit that I trust has guided me on the right path. The decision to move was prompted by the desire […]

While most pinnipeds haul out on land to rest, give birth, and care for their young, Arctic dwelling seals rely instead on floating sea ice. Residing in harsh and remote territories, these seals have proven difficult to study in the wild, leaving many aspects of their behavior, physiology, and population status unknown. As the ice […]

The Wildlife Response Program patients include a young harbor seal and a sea otter pup The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) recently admitted two patients to the Wildlife Response Program, a young male harbor seal (the third admitted in 2022) and a male sea otter pup. The harbor seal pup was reported by the captain of […]

There is no denying that plastic waste is a problem. Whether it’s trash scattered around the parking lot or 620,000 square miles of garbage gathering in the Pacific Ocean, plastic waste is everywhere.  Between nearly fifty years of public service announcements and campaigns promoting the familiar “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” slogan, many Americans have acknowledged […]