Aquarium News
Sea Otter Observation Leads to Seal Rescue Operation
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 […]
READ MOREJuvenile Brown Pelican Found Snared by Fishing Hook and Line
Newport, Oregon—The Oregon Coast Aquarium admitted a juvenile brown pelican Thursday night that was found snared in a fishing hook and line. Civilians transferred the large bird to the Aquarium after finding it severely entangled and in distress at Devil’s Punchbowl State Park. Upon receiving the pelican, Aquarium Bird Staff immediately began triage to assess […]
READ MOREActive Recovery Efforts and Beach Restrictions Help Endangered Snowy Plovers
Newport, Oregon – On Thursday, May 2, the Oregon Coast Aquarium treated an injured female Western snowy plover found at a plover nesting site in Oregon Dunes Overlook. Researchers with the Oregon Biodiversity Information Center (ORBIC) at Portland State University identified and captured the endangered bird on Thursday while conducting nest surveys in the sand […]
READ MOREBoth Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Pass Despite Aquarium Efforts
Newport, Oregon – It is with great sadness that we report of the death of the two olive ridley sea turtles despite strong Aquarium staff efforts toward their recovery. The first sea turtle, named Donatello, stranded on Horsefall Beach in Coos Bay on Wednesday. The female olive ridley suffered from multiple breaks in her shell, blood-loss […]
READ MOREStranded Sea Turtle Rescued by Dedicated Samaritan in Coos Bay
Newport, Oregon – The Oregon Coast Aquarium admitted a severely injured and hypothermic olive ridley sea turtle this morning for care. Civilians found the turtle yesterday afternoon while walking near Horsefall Beach in North Bend, Coos Bay. Pictures and a video of the sea turtle were posted in a Facebook group, “What’s Happening Coos Bay.” […]
READ MORESea Otter Holding Facility Fully Funded—Thanks to YOU!
Newport, Oregon – On Giving Tuesday, the Oregon Coast Aquarium announced a campaign to build a new sea otter holding facility. The facility would allow the Aquarium to take in an additional rescued sea otter and facilitate new Behind-the-Scenes guest experiences. Thanks to generous donations from Aquarium supporters, the sea otter holding facility has been […]
READ MOREWatch for Stranded Sea Turtles This Winter
Key Message: If you find a sea turtle on the beach this winter, immediately note its location, remain nearby to observe it if possible, and contact the Oregon State Police Tipline at 800-452-7888 or the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN) in Oregon, Washington, and California at 1-866-767-6114. Newport, Oregon – If you’re out walking the […]
READ MORECommon Murre Chicks Flood West Coast Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
Newport, Oregon— The Oregon Coast Aquarium is treating an unusually high number of common murre (Uria aalge) chicks this season. The chicks, which are often mistaken for baby penguins, are being found all along the West Coast abandoned, deceased or in very poor health. Just this week, the Aquarium received 3 chicks in addition to […]
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