Page 2 – Seattle Aquarium

Getting to know Ruby, the new southern sea otter in our care

Posted on December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Have you heard the news? The northern sea otters in our care, Mishka and Sekiu, have a new habitat-mate! Ten-year-old southern sea otter Ruby joined us on November 19, moving from her former home at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA).

Welcome, Ruby!

Starting (very) small

Ruby was found, stranded, as a newborn pup in September of 2015. Weighing just 1.9 pounds, she was one of the smallest pups her rescuers had ever seen.

She was raised behind the scenes at MBA in their sea otter surrogacy program. After several attempts at having her live on her own in the wild, the team at MBA found that she had become dependent on humans for food. She was ultimately deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and went on to join MBA’s sea otter habitat in 2022—where she charmed guests and became a beloved ambassador for her species.

Ruby getting to know her new habitat at the Seattle Aquarium.

From Monterey to Seattle: A true west coaster

For months, our care team worked closely with MBA’s, shadowing their care of Ruby, learning about her history, likes and dislikes, social needs and more. Collaboratively, the teams decided that our otter population would be a great fit for her.

As we mentioned above, Ruby is the first southern sea otter in our care. Southern sea otters are considered a distinct population. And, while southern and northern otters don’t share wild habitats, they do happily cohabitate in zoos and aquariums—their care needs are identical.

(What’s the difference between northern and southern sea otters? It basically comes down to two things: their range and their size. Northern sea otters have a range from Washington state to British Columbia and Alaska. Southern sea otters are found in California. And northern sea otters are larger, with males weighing up to 100 pounds and females up to 70—while southern males top out at about 65 pounds with females around 45 pounds. For context, Ruby’s current weight is 44 pounds; with Mishka at 50 and Sekiu at 54.)

Ruby relaxing with Sekiu.

Settling in

After making the journey to the Seattle Aquarium on November 19, Ruby was quickly introduced to her new habitat—and then to Mishka and Sekiu. In short, things have been going swimmingly!

Comments Senior Animal Care Specialist Kelli Lee, “When introducing an animal into a new habitat, we expect them to be active and explore every inch. After they’ve had a chance to check out their space, we look for behaviors that show they’re comfortable, such as resting and eating. For sea otters specifically, we also look to see that they’re grooming, since that’s essential for staying warm.” (Learn more about how amazing sea otter fur is on our sea otter webpage!)

Kelli continues, “When introducing sea otters, we expect them to interact with each other by sniffing each other’s faces and heads. Then, after this typically brief interlude, we continue to make sure they’re all grooming, eating and resting.”

“They’ve been cohabitating well,” says Animal Care Specialist Michelle Munoz. “Ruby tends to follow Sekiu the most. You can see her resting with Sekiu in the main habitat, and at night, Mishka and Sekiu will haul out on deck by their mats, so Ruby will join them.”

Ruby, we’re so glad you’re here!

Welcome to the Emerald City, Ruby!

Ruby’s preferences quickly became clear to her caregivers. Notes Kelli, “Ruby enjoys interacting with enrichment, such as puzzle feeders, a lot. Her favorite food is shrimp and her least favorites are surf clam siphons and stomachs.” (Can you blame her?)

She adds, “When spending time outside of feeding sessions, she likes to rest in areas of the water that are shallow, such as the arch between the two habitats.” Want to see what she’s up to? Check out our live webcam!

In the weeks and months to come, we’ll continue working with MBA as we learn more about Ruby. “Getting her comfortable in the space is our priority so she can do all the things a sea otter does—like grooming and eating,” comments Michelle. “Building a relationship with Ruby will help us work with her in the long run and also allows us to start training new behaviors with her!”

A decades-long commitment to sea otter conservation

For 30+ years, the Seattle Aquarium has led in the research of sea otters in Washington and contributed to recovery efforts with partners and collaborators around the world. We also have a long history of caring for individual northern sea otters who are unable to live in the wild.

Ruby’s arrival represents our continued commitment to sustaining and recovering sea otters, from California to Alaska and beyond. As a nonprofit, this work—both in the field and right here at the Aquarium—is only possible thanks to the support of our community. Every visit to the Aquarium supports this work and our conservation mission overall. We thank you!

We can’t wait for you to meet Ruby. Plan your visit today!

Marine ink-spiration: Tattoos of the Seattle Aquarium, part 4—volunteer edition II

Posted on November 17, 2025November 12, 2025 by Emma Leiser

We recently introduced you to three amazing Seattle Aquarium volunteers who show their connection to the marine environment with meaningful tattoos. The story was so nice that we’re doing it twice—we’re back with three more fascinating folks who graciously agreed to share the stories behind their ink.

Without further ado, please meet Chelsea, Chris and Taylor! And if you haven’t already checked out earlier installments of this ongoing series, we invite you to explore part 1, part 2 and part 3.

“I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time, doing the best I can with what I have. That applies to being at the Aquarium, being in my work and being in the sea. It's like a Venn diagram of those.”

—Chelsea “Chelseal” Lee (she/her)

I got my seal of approval last year. He’s positioned so that when I give a thumbs up, he gives one too.

I’m an open-water swimmer—unassisted, which means no wetsuit, flippers or paddles. Just a swimsuit. I train at Alki Beach and seals swim along with me all the time. I always introduce myself and let them know I’m here to respect their space, not cross any boundaries between wild animals and something I want to hug.

I did my first marathon swim in 2021, in Sitka, Alaska. There’s a doctor at that event and she was amazed because it had taken me almost four hours but I wasn’t cold at the end. She said, ‘How are you not freezing? I think you might be a seal person.’ She started calling me Chelseal and it kinda stuck.

It’s been such a beautiful journey to build a relationship with the Salish Sea. I was born on the south coast of South Korea, adopted by white people and raised in Minnesota—just about as far from the ocean as you could be. But I always felt like it was calling me back. The first time I went in, I thought, ‘Ohh, this is what home feels like.’

I work for a nonprofit doing policy and systems change advocacy around affordable housing, community spaces and equitable access to public transportation. One thing that I talk about with people at the Aquarium, my conservation message, is the ability to coexist.

If you look at the animals in The Reef at the Ocean Pavilion, everybody’s able to coexist because they’re all getting their needs met. And when I talk about that with visitors, I bring in my work life and say, ‘Imagine if we did that for people.’ I hope that I’m planting a seed with that.

—Chelsea “Chelseal” Lee (she/her)
Tattoo by Berger, @wizardcitytattoo

“I realized that you don't have to work in this field to still be at the Aquarium and be a valued member of the community.”

—Chris Fitch (he/him)

I’ve lived in Seattle, close to the water, my whole life. When I was a kid, we’d go to a cabin that my grandpa built on the Oregon coast every summer. That’s where I learned about tide pooling, one of my favorite pastimes.

Going into college, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I started taking chemistry but it just doesn’t work for me. Then I learned about the pastry program at Seattle Central. I’d always been a fan of baking, so I went for it. Now I work at a bakery and I’ve been volunteering at the Aquarium for over a year.

I mainly volunteer at the touch pools. I love all the animals. It’s like tide pooling, but indoors and a bit more static. Working with kids is the best, especially the occasional 6-year-old who knows more than I do. It’s fun to talk with them as their parent tries to follow along while we’re both having a great time.

The people on my shift are always looking for nudibranchs, and it’s amazing when we find them together. It’s also cool for guests to see that there are animals here that surprise us—that it’s a living environment and we’re not controlling every single thing.

The lobster was my first unplanned tattoo. I went to L.A. to get a sandhill crane from an artist down there but she had to cancel. I was really bummed and went to Aquarium of the Pacific to make myself feel better. The lobsters made a big impression on me.

Later that day, an artist popped up on my feed who had done a spiny lobster* before. He was nearby and could get me in right away. It went from not working out to me having this great tattoo inspired by the lobsters at Aquarium of the Pacific. Lucky.

—Chris Fitch (he/him)
Tattoo by Noah Fox, Boartooth Tattoo, Culver City, CA, @noahfoxtattoo

*Editor’s note: Curious about what a Pacific spiny lobster looks like in real life? Visit our Ocean Pavilion!

“I stopped eating king and Chinook salmon when I learned about the low population of the southern resident orcas. I’ll still eat other kinds but not those. I want to save them for our residents.”

—Taylor Welch (she/her)

I’ve always been a huge animal person. I love orcas—just love how pretty they are. My grandma has a vacation home on Whidbey Island and every time there’s an orca sighting, she texts to tell me. It’s always the day after I leave. But I was actually here at the Aquarium for an orca sighting in Elliott Bay last spring. It was my first time seeing them in the wild after living in Seattle for 33 years.

I’ve been volunteering here for seven years and I’m still learning new things about some of the animals. I’m trying to do all the habitats, but I mostly like to be near the touch pools.

I love interacting with the guests. My favorite part is telling them about the sea cucumbers because they’re the vacuum cleaners of the ocean floor and they poop out clean sand, which kids love learning. I say, ‘Thank the sea cucumbers because this is their ecosystem and they’re doing us all a favor.’

I also assist with the volunteer program, doing interviews with potential new volunteers. I look for people with great energy. We talk about why they want to volunteer—some want to share their knowledge, others want to give back to the community, some just want to do something fun. We have a very unique ecosystem here and it’s cool when people want to get involved, help other people learn about it.

I graduated from UW two years ago, in environmental studies. I’ve been working part-time in the Gift Shop since then and I’m hoping to find a full-time job at the Aquarium. I’d love to do an outreach education program or be a marine interpreter supervisor here someday.

—Taylor Welch (she/her)
Tattoo by @dannychantattooseattle

We thank Chelsea, Chris and Taylor for sharing their stories with us—and all the volunteers who generously give their time in support of our conservation mission.

Seattle Aquarium volunteers share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our guests, help prepare meals of sustainable seafood for the animals in our care, dive in our habitats, meet members of the public on local shorelines and much more. Interested in learning about the program and potentially becoming a volunteer yourself? Check out our website!

Saying goodbye to North American river otter Ahanu

Posted on November 10, 2025November 10, 2025 by Emma Leiser

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of river otter Ahanu. He passed away unexpectedly during a routine sedated exam on the morning of November 5.

Ahanu, who came into our care in 2019, was beloved by Aquarium staff and volunteers—as well as the many thousands of Aquarium guests who loved watching him at play. Photo courtesy of Senior Animal Care Specialist Kelli.

Throughout his life, Ahanu had undergone numerous exams just like this one. Before the exam, he had been eating and playing normally. The sedation and exam itself went well, and he was stable throughout.

Sadly, sedation for any animal carries inherent risks and after the anesthetics were reversed, Ahanu did not rouse. Our full Veterinary team, along with several members of our Bird & Mammal team who were assisting with the exam, immediately began life-saving measures. After 50 minutes of CPR and multiple rounds of medications and assessments, the team made the difficult call that Ahanu had passed.

He hadn’t previously shown any respiratory symptoms—such as trouble breathing—but, during the X-rays and ultrasound that were part of the exam, our team discovered that one of Ahanu’s lungs showed abnormalities. We don’t yet know whether this affected his passing; it’s one of several questions our care team will be looking into as they perform his necropsy.

A long, playful life

Ahanu’s name means “he laughs” in the Algonquian language—and it’s no surprise that he captured so many hearts: He was born on Valentine’s Day in 2011 at the Oakland Zoo. He was transferred to the Denver Zoo at age 2 before coming into our care in 2019.

Ahanu joined us as a habitat-mate for Molalla, who had been living solo after his companion, a geriatric river otter named Skagway, passed away several months before.

Ahanu (at right) cozying up with his habitat-mate, Molalla—affectionately known as Mo by his caregivers—in their habitat’s den. Photo courtesy of Senior Animal Care Specialist Kelli.

In zoos and aquariums and in the wild, the social structures of male river otters vary— they may live with their litter mates, alone, in bachelor groups (like the one formed by Ahanu and Molalla)—or even, temporarily, in family groups for breeding purposes. North American river otters are managed under an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) species survival plan—through this program, animals are transferred to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums around the country to mimic species-specific social movements and enhance population sustainability and genetic diversity.

River otters have life spans of eight to 15 years in the wild; in human care (thanks to consistent veterinary care, readily available food and protection from predators), they may live for 15 to 20 years. At nearly 15 years old, Ahanu was entering his senior years—but he was still known for his playful antics, not to mention a voracious appetite.

Remembers Veterinary Technician Erika Russ Paz, “I always enjoyed going up for a training session with Ahanu and watching him chow down. River otters are extremely cute when they eat but have no manners. They just toss their heads back and chomp down on their food with mouths fully open, then stare at you insistently for their next piece.”

Ahanu devouring a special ice treat, stuffed with some of his favorite foods. Photos courtesy of Senior Animal Care Specialist Taylor.

An important ambassador for marine conservation

Ahanu not only delighted the hundreds of thousands of Aquarium guests who watched him at play—he also helped people learn more about the importance of his species in the broader scope of ocean health.

“With grace, agility, and enthusiasm Ahanu introduced millions of people to the charismatic nature of North American river otters. He moved people to care about his species, and the aquatic environments we share,” says Seattle Aquarium President & CEO Peggy Sloan.

She continues, “North American river otters represent a conservation success story. Nearly wiped out by the fur trade, they recovered due to successful reintroductions and habitat protection. Today these otters thrive in Washington. Ahanu’s story is one of environmental optimism and conservation success. His loss is felt by his care team and his large fan base—and these emotions mix with gratitude for the joy, empathy and action he inspired over many years in our care.”

Sad and loving farewells

When Vice President of Animal Care Lisa Hartman announced Ahanu’s passing to our staff, she noted, “Losing an animal is one of the hardest parts of our work, and it can be especially hard to navigate when the loss is unforeseen. Our teams provided Ahanu with the utmost care before, during and after the exam. Just as in our own lives, sometimes loss happens quickly and without warning.”

Ahanu’s loss is deeply felt by the devoted caretakers who knew and loved him over his years with us. Remembers Animal Care Specialist Ana Ibarra, “Ahanu was always up for a treat. Whenever we called the boys to feed them, Ahanu would be the first one to head up—but oftentimes he had to come back to their den and wake up Mo so they could go together.”

Former Supervisor of Birds & Mammals Aubrey Theiss shared some thoughts too. “Ahanu, I hope you’re blowing tons of raspberries, scratching everything you see, peeping at salmon, climbing trees and scaring hummingbirds, chewing rib bones, chasing minnows and digging all the holes. RIP, you crazy little guy.” And, from former Senior Animal Care Specialist Cheryl Becker, “Rest in peace, sweet boy. He always used to make me laugh at how he would partially sit on tubs—it looked like he was a lounging mermaid.”

Ahanu and Mo enjoying a cold plunge together. In the wild, river otters make their homes in a variety of habitats, near both marine and fresh water. Video courtesy of Animal Care Specialist I Anthony.

Ahanu’s current caretakers are now working to ensure that Molalla, Ahanu’s habitat-mate, receives extra support during this change. As noted earlier, it can be natural for males of this species to live alone—and we’ll be sure to provide updates in the future with any news of a new companion for Molalla.

In the meantime, we invite you to check our social media channels for more photos and to share your own memories of Ahanu. Thank you for joining us in our grief. Ahanu will be deeply missed.

Mirrors for oystercatchers? Take a look inside shorebird enrichment at the Seattle Aquarium

Posted on November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 by Emma Leiser

A visit to the shorebird habitat at the Seattle Aquarium can resemble a trip to a superstore; there’s a little of everything. In addition to birds, you can find toy blocks, mirrors, heat lamps, wind chimes and even rubber ducks. But these items are more than just the world’s most eclectic shopping list. They’re part of enrichment for the Aquarium’s resident birds.

Enrichment refers to experiences and care that allow animals to express natural behavior or instincts and provide physical and/or mental stimulation. Different categories of enrichment include social/behavioral, sensory, food-based and devices.

Mirrors and toys provide stimulating enrichment to shorebirds at the Aquarium.

At the Seattle Aquarium, our animal enrichment is designed and monitored by our dedicated Animal Care and Veterinary teams. These plans are reviewed during regular accreditation inspections by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)—a global independent nonprofit that holds its member zoos and aquariums, including us, to the highest standards.

Before a new enrichment device or activity is implemented, it goes through a proposal and approval process by Aquarium staff. And for our birds and mammals, each enrichment device is approved on a per-animal basis. What works for a black oystercatcher might not go over so well with a Western snowy plover.

Because our Animal Care team knows the animals so well as individuals, they can tailor enrichment to meet everyone’s specific needs.

Enrichment in action

Devices are probably the most visible forms of enrichment. This category includes toys like rubber ducks and plastic blocks. Some enrichment items fall into multiple categories, like puzzle feeders, which are devices that stimulate the oystercatchers mentally while delivering food.

Other types of enrichment might be more difficult for visitors to detect but go a long way in keeping things interesting for the shorebirds. Caretakers sprinkle essential oils, like lavender and lemon, or spices, like curry powder and rosemary, around habitats to provide sensory stimulation.

Likes and dislikes

As individuals, the birds have their own likes and dislikes when it comes to enrichment. The male killdeer loves to sit in front of a mirror and make noises. His caretakers believe he enjoys the “company.” One of the oystercatchers also loves mirrors, as well as windchimes. She’s got a great sense of interior design!

Mirrors provide sensory enrichment for the shorebirds.

Like all animals at the Aquarium, the shorebirds maintain a sense of personal agency and choose whether to engage with enrichment. As anyone who has ever spent $100 on a cat tree only for your pet to prefer a cardboard box knows, animals are not afraid of expressing their preferences. Our animal care staff closely monitors how the birds respond to each type of enrichment.

Some of the shorebirds at the Aquarium are considered elderly for their species. While their enrichment needs don’t necessarily change as they age, Animal Care staff have noticed that the older birds tend to prefer more naturalistic enrichment over toys.

Changing seasons

We’re entering cozy season at the Seattle Aquarium. Like the temperature and sunset time, enrichment also changes with the seasons. When the weather gets cold, our staff turns on warmers for the birds. These are spread throughout the habitat so birds can choose to keep each other company or stay solo while warming their feathers.

There are heaters hidden around the shorebird habitat—including under this rock—to keep the birds nice and cozy during winter.

The summer coincides with egg-laying season for many shorebirds. And while some older birds are past the age where they lay eggs, one of the female oystercatchers at the Aquarium still does. Caretakers noticed that she tends to build her nest in a sunny spot from which she does not move, so they set up a mister to help keep her cool.

Summer breeding season also brings changes. Some of the birds, like the mirror-loving killdeer, become chattier during this time. Others display more territorial behavior, which the caretakers account for. Animal care staff also provide the birds with clamshells and other materials to help them build their nests.

Whatever the season, you can see shorebirds—plus thousands more animals—at the Seattle Aquarium 365 days a year. And with enrichment switching up daily, there’s always something new to sea. Plan your visit today!

Halloween quiz: What’s your poison (or venom)?

Posted on October 20, 2025October 17, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Quiz: Which marine species is your cozy season alter ego?

Posted on October 3, 2025October 1, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Marine ink-spiration: Tattoos of the Seattle Aquarium, part 4—volunteer edition

Posted on September 25, 2025October 16, 2025 by Emma Leiser

The Seattle Aquarium is incredibly fortunate to have an amazing team of talented, passionate volunteers who generously give their time in support of our conservation mission. They share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our guests, help prepare meals of sustainable seafood for the animals in our care, dive in our habitats, meet members of the public on local shorelines and so much more. As it turns out, some of them also show their love for the marine environment with fin-tastic tattoos!

So we’re adding to our ongoing series of web stories about folks at the Aquarium with marine-themed tattoos (check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 if you haven’t already) with this special installment, devoted to volunteers.

We hope you enjoy learning about these three outstanding volunteers and the stories behind their ink. Please be on the lookout for another installment devoted to volunteers later this fall!

“I love that I can bridge the gap and help people get comfortable interacting with the animals in the touch pools. I always tell them that this is something that they’ll probably never get to do again unless they’re at a tide pool or another aquarium.”

—Mia Redfern (she/her)

My mom is Japanese, and my dad’s American, from Washington state. He’s in the military and they met in Misawa, Japan. My mom gave me my middle name, Umi, which means ‘ocean’ in Japanese. Growing up, we traveled around the world, and I’m always drawn to a body of water, no matter where I go.

When I started college, I majored in art. But as I was taking classes, I realized that I wanted to use it more as an outlet to express myself—not something I wanted to get evaluated in.

And I thought, ‘What’s something impactful that I’m also really passionate about?’ I landed on marine biology and, through my studies, realized that it would be really cool to have tattoos that remind me of why I wanted to get that degree.

I’m living with my dad here in Seattle right now, saving to move to France and get my master’s. I came to the Aquarium as a kid, and when I went back as an adult, I thought it would be a cool place to volunteer—and wouldn’t make me feel like my degree was going to waste. I love the atmosphere and the people, just giving back to the community.

I believe that’s important because I grew up in a lifestyle where everyone accepted everyone. I traveled a lot as a military kid, getting to see so many different cultures and religions, and, through that, I realized that community is a really great way of making everyone feel welcomed.

I love people’s stories, and my tattoos have connected me a lot to other people. Sometimes they know facts about the animals, and other times, I tell them something that’s new to them. It’s great to connect with people like that.

—Mia Redfern (she/her)
Tattoo by @scorpionandroses

“I wish I’d found this place years ago. On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s a 400. Every time I come here for a shift, I spend the whole time smiling. It's just so fun.”

—James Smith (he/him)

I started swimming when I was 4—I love being in the water. ‘Swim or die’ is my mantra, and I believe it’s a big part of why I’ve gotten to be this old and still have so much freedom of movement.

But, you know, I’ve learned more in the month that I’ve been volunteering at the Aquarium than the entire time I’ve spent in the water. Watching children—budding marine scientists—and people who have never experienced the ocean getting to touch these creatures, learn about them… it’s going to change how they see the ocean. My wife said, ‘You’ve found your home.’

A few years ago, I was swimming across a crescent-shaped bay on the Big Island, a place I swim often. There was an onshore wind, so strong that sand was blowing across the ocean’s surface. I couldn’t look toward shore because I’d get a face full of it. When I lifted my arm, I’d get blown over sideways. The bottom was churned up so I couldn’t tell how deep the water was, and I couldn’t really see where I was because of the waves.

I got partly across the bay but couldn’t see my regular landmarks to know how much farther I had to go. And, suddenly, a great big honu—that’s Hawaiian for sea turtle—rose up out of the gloom below. It turned to look at me and made a sharp right.

I followed, and it led me all the way back into shore. When I could see better, I realized I’d gotten blown out of the mouth of the bay and into the open ocean. If I hadn’t seen the honu, I would have just kept swimming.

That’s why I got this tattoo, a honu petroglyph—an early present for my 80th birthday.

—James Smith (he/him)
Tattoo by @southseastattoohilo

“I’ve always loved animals—I came to the Aquarium all the time as a kid. Now, I call my mom after almost every volunteer shift to tell her what happened. I always have interesting stories to share!”

—Molly Biedscheid (she/her)

I grew up in Mukilteo, hearing that great blue herons were symbols of luck for fishermen and sailors. I like them because, even with their big bodies and skinny legs, they still hold themselves up, just being resilient creatures, even if it looks like the odds are against them.

High school was pretty hard for me. The beginning of college was okay, but then COVID happened. I was in my last quarter of freshman year— they said we’d do our finals online, then come back after spring break. You know what happened with that.

When we got back to campus, I tried to find ways to connect with people. I became president of the biology club and was a technical writer for a medical engineering lab. In my senior year, I thought, ‘I guess I’m doing pretty well.’ I never really saw myself making it that far, so it was a big achievement to get to that point! I got the tattoo to remind myself about being resilient when the odds are against you.

My degree is in biology. Right now I work in human medicine, as a pathology tech and, in addition to the Aquarium, I volunteer with PAWS and the Sno-King Marine Mammal Response team. I’m looking to enter a doctorate degree program to pursue research and medicine. I’d like to get into public health studies on animals and be able to relate that to human health.

I started volunteering at the Aquarium as a way to educate and connect with people, and to learn more myself. It makes me happy when I can help someone discover something. I like being able to show kids that it’s okay to touch the animals in the tide pools. If they’re scared, I say, ‘It’s okay, I’ll touch with you.’ It’s really cool to see people get inspired.

—Molly Biedscheid (she/her)
Tattoo by @a.ink.tattoo_lizzy

We thank Mia, James and Molly for sharing their stories with us—and all the volunteers who enhance every visit to the Aquarium. Interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Learn more on our website!

Quiz: Do you know the Spanish names of ocean animals?

Posted on September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Dive down memory lane with us to celebrate Barney’s 40th birthday!

Posted on September 14, 2025September 13, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2024 for Barney’s 39th birthday, as he approached the human equivalent of 100 years old. Barney passed in March 2025. To celebrate his life and legacy, we’re republishing this story on what would have been his 40th birthday.

Barney the harbor seal was born right here at the Seattle Aquarium on September 14, 1985! And he’s been stealing the hearts of staff and guests alike ever since, while inspiring millions to help protect his beloved and charismatic species.

In his golden years, Barney enjoyed the simple things in life, like a nice nap in the sunshine, getting his teeth brushed daily and eating some of his favorite snacks, including all things fish. He was also a fan of his birthday celebrations, as you’ll see in the photos below. Dive down memory lane to revisit some of those celebrations with us as we commemorate Barney’s extraordinary life!

2024

Centennial celebration—happy 39th, Barney!

According to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), of which we’re proud to be an accredited member, the median life expectancy for harbor seals in zoos and aquariums is about 25 years. At 39, Barney has lived well beyond that. In fact, his biological age is about the equivalent of a 100-year-old human!

Give him—and his caretakers—some love on our Facebook or Instagram to mark the occasion.

2023

38 years young!

Barney’s 38th birthday bash was complete with a “cake” made from ice and 38 frozen fish!

2022

37 looks good on you

We welcomed harbor seal Casey earlier in 2022, and all three “roomies”—Barney, Hogan and Casey— dug into a delicious, fish-filled ice treat together.

2021

Having his cake and eating it too

Barney rang in his 36th birthday by tucking into a towering ice treat “cake.”

2020

Pandemic party

While we couldn’t invite the public to celebrate with Barney because of our temporary, pandemic-related closure, our incredible animal care team made sure he felt the birthday love.

2015

Just another enriching birthday

Animals at the Aquarium receive enrichment every day (read more about it on our webpage). Special occasions, like Barney’s 30th, give our animal care team a fun reason to get creative with it.

2013

28 and looking great!

In 2013, Barney celebrated his birthday with cake in his habitat’s new haul-out space*! Generous support from people like you allowed us to renovate and expand the harbor seal habitat back then.

*What’s that? Space that the seals use to go onto dry land to nap, groom, cooperatively participate in their own health care and, in Barney’s case, eat a birthday treat.

Your gift today will make a difference too: Please consider a donation of $19.85, $39 or any amount on behalf of Barney’s birthday!

2012

Awww, you shouldn’t have

Shown here in the habitat’s previous haul-out space, Barney looks ready to devour the ice treat that our animal care team prepared for him.

2011

Stealth celebration

What’s better on your 26th birthday than a delicious ice treat, just waiting for you to notice it as you casually swim by?

2010

Blow out the candles!

Here’s a throwback to Barney’s 25th! Our animal care team went all out with an ice treat complete with “candles” for him to crunch and munch.

1985

Baby Barney’s birth day

Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

How’s this for a sweet, vintage photo of newborn Barney alongside his mom, Clyde? For perspective on how long ago that was in terms of other Pacific Northwest icons, Barney was born the same year that downtown Seattle’s tallest skyscraper, Columbia Center, opened; two years before the band Nirvana was formed; and 15 years before the Kingdome was demolished. Just our humble opinion, of course, but we think he’s the best and most charming icon of the bunch. Happy, happy 39th to beloved Barney!

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Posted on September 5, 2025September 4, 2025 by Emma Leiser