Blog

We’re at a turning point in the climate change discussion: The ocean is now fully recognized for the critical role that it can and will play in solving the crisis.

It’s with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved and elderly sea otter matriarch, Lootas. Early on the morning of November 15, she let her caregivers know that she had reached the end of her time and was provided with a humane passing. At over 23 years old, Lootas was quite advanced in age—a testament to the exceptional care she received throughout her lifetime.

We’re excited to announce the launch of Sea Color, a new, ocean-themed coloring app developed in collaboration with Tangible, an art and design studio based in Vancouver, B.C., with proceeds to benefit our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment! 

It’s probably not what you think—although the world’s third-largest predatory shark was frequently spotted below our pier not that long ago (more on that to follow)! Instead, our attention-grabbing headline was to let you know that, this month, we’re focusing on these amazing, fascinating, often-misunderstood and frequently endangered animals. Join us!

We’re pleased to announce that Daniel Joseph Friday, a member of the Lummi Nation, has been selected to create an installation for the entry of our new Ocean Pavilion, slated to open in 2024. The piece will honor the Aquarium’s location on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, who stewarded these lands and waters for generations and continue to do so today.

“So thick you could walk across the river on their backs.”

“That’s what they used to say about salmon in the river,” says Charles Ruthford, a longtime Cedar River Salmon Journey volunteer. This free, family-friendly program takes place at sites along the Cedar River each fall, offering opportunities for the public to see and learn about salmon, the river and the watershed.  

Did you know that October is the very best month to see salmon spawning in the Cedar River? Join us virtually and in person throughout the month to learn about these amazing animals, their unique role in the marine environment and what we can all do to protect them—as well as their important connection to our local, and critically endangered, orcas.

Wildfires, smoke and air quality are top of mind for many of us in the western U.S., and our hearts go out to those who have been directly impacted by the fires. All is safe at the Seattle Aquarium but, due to very poor air quality in our region, we’ve been closed to the public since last Friday afternoon to help protect the health of our guests, staff, and volunteers.

How does poor air quality affect the animals in our care? It depends on the species as well as individual underlying health conditions, if any. “Fish and many aquatic invertebrates do their gas exchange across gills—and smoke and ash shouldn’t have any direct impact on the quality of our water,” explains Senior Veterinarian Dr. Caitlin Hadfield.

We recently announced the heartbreaking and unexpected loss of our eight-year-old male northern fur seal, Leu. Our deepest thanks to everyone who has shared condolences and memories with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We hope you’ll enjoy the memorial video below.

We also wanted to provide an update on what we understand so far about the cause of Leu’s death. As we shared in our previous blog post, Seattle Aquarium animal care staff discovered Leu unresponsive in his habitat early in the morning on August 26. They quickly initiated our rescue protocol and applied CPR. Despite their best efforts, Leu couldn’t be revived.

There are pregnant orca moms in all three of the endangered southern resident pods—J, K and L!

These orcas are at their lowest population in over three decades. New calves would be incredibly special in their own rights, but also essential to reverse the downward population trend.

Dr. Holly Fearnbach of the nonprofit SR3 and Dr. John Durban of Southall Environmental Associates discovered these pregnancies this summer. They use aerial images to study individual orcas’ body conditions over time.

Pregnancies are very good news, and we are celebrating. But we’re also crossing our fingers because the risks are very high.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved northern fur seal, Leu.

Seattle Aquarium animal care staff discovered Leu unresponsive in his habitat early in the morning on August 26. A rescue protocol was quickly initiated and CPR applied. “The Aquarium’s professional animal care team were vigorous in their response, following the established protocol for just this type of event,” says Seattle Aquarium Director of Life Sciences Grant Abel. Despite their best efforts, Leu couldn’t be revived.

Last Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared the way for permitting a huge mine at the headwaters of two major rivers that feed into Bristol Bay, Alaska—home to the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery and one of the most prolific Chinook salmon runs.

The Canadian-owned Pebble Limited Partnership (“Pebble”) would extract gold, copper and molybdenum—materials of extremely high value, found in everyday items such as seatbelts, cell phones and electrical wires—through a new open pit mine.

The Seattle Aquarium strongly opposes the Bristol Bay Pebble Mine. Healthy oceans, fishing and Indigenous communities and local economies depend on wild and clean rivers and waterways. These will all be harmed if the Pebble Mine is developed.