Aquarium News

Sea Otter Observation Leads to Seal Rescue Operation

February 16, 2023

Date: Saturday, January 7 Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA state Weather: high winds, heavy rain What began as a sea otter observation excursion turned into a seal rescue operation after Brittany Blades, OCAq’s Curator of Marine Mammals, heard distressed cries nearby. Blades peered through the fog and pelting rain, trying to find the source of the […]

Tides Turn for Two Stranded Sea Turtles

November 4, 2022

Newport, Oregon — Two sea turtles are on the road to recovery and release after receiving care at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq). Thanks to the collaborative efforts of OCAq, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Turtles Fly Too, and SeaWorld San Diego, two Olive Ridley […]

Grounded Marbled Murrelet Chick Takes Flight

October 17, 2022

Newport, Oregon — A grounded marbled murrelet chick has taken wing thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq), Oregon State University’s Oregon Marbled Murrelet Project (OMMP), and the Wildlife Center of the North Coast (WCNC). The marbled murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus, has faced rapid population declines due to habitat loss and pollution, and […]

Oregon Coast Aquarium Contributes To Broadnose Sevengill Shark Research Efforts

August 25, 2022

Newport, Oregon — The gulls’ raucous cries echo across the water of Willapa Bay. Sunlight coats the shoreline, the slick black rocks glistening in the dawn. “This one looks pretty sharky.” The words ring out loud and clear, and the entire crew feels a familiar spike of adrenaline. The air is charged with anticipation. All eyes […]

Guadalupe Fur Seal Receives Care At Oregon Coast Aquarium

July 25, 2022

Newport, Oregon — An injured Guadalupe fur seal is on the road to recovery thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq), the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN), and SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research (SR³). The seal, a male yearling, was found stranded on Salishan Beach and reported by a private citizen to Jim Rice, Stranding Program […]

Seabird Safety

April 28, 2022

OCAq takes preventative measures against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza The Oregon Coast Aquarium is taking measures to protect its resident birds against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI is an avian disease that is transmitted between birds through their saliva, mucous, and feces. The global spread of HPAI is driven in part by migratory waterfowl, […]

Rare Nazca Booby Receives Care at Oregon Coast Aquarium

January 19, 2022

Newport, Oregon — After receiving care at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq), a Nazca Booby (Sula granti) caught a flight to International Bird Rescue in Los Angeles, California for continued rehabilitation and eventual release. The bird was initially found hunkered down on the docks of Newport’s historic bayfront, over 3,000 miles away from its native […]

Injured Sea Otter Receives Care at Oregon Coast Aquarium

December 1, 2021

Notice: this story was edited on December 06, 2021. Please scroll down to see the most up-to-date information. Newport, Oregon — An injured sea otter that hauled ashore on Cobble Beach at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is now under assessment and care at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq). The sea otter was observed hauled ashore by Chief […]

Oregon Coast Aquarium is Otterly Delighted to Welcome New Pup

July 29, 2021

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is honored to announce a new addition to its sea otter raft: Earle the southern sea otter pup. Earle was found stranded at Asilomar State Marine Reserve in Pacific Grove, California in May of 2021. Earle was cold and lethargic, and his mother could not be located. The cause of Earle’s […]

Geriatric Care at Oregon Coast Aquarium

February 6, 2020

Newport, Oregon – Geriatric care is a little talked about but essential part of care for our pinnipeds. Most people don’t consider their late twenties as ‘old age’, but for sea lions and seals, they’ve already begun to receive over the hill cards. And just like humans, their geriatric years require special care and evaluation. Animal […]