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Species Recovery

A white wave shape.

WORKING TO RECOVER ENDANGERED SPECIES AROUND THE WORLD

The Seattle Aquarium’s species recovery program puts our expertise in animal welfare, research, field conservation, ocean policy and social change to work to save species from extinction. Sometimes species need direct assistance to recover from human impacts, in addition to resource management and protected areas. Together with dozens of partners, we’re helping to recover endangered species—both here at home and around the world—in two ways:

  • Reintroduction and reinforcement—or in other words, breeding, rearing and releasing endangered species to reestablish wild populations.
  • Participation in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission specialist groups and government-led efforts to advance integrated conservation planning and action worldwide.

A Global Effort

Integrated conservation planning is only successful through collaboration with community members and partners worldwide, with a particular focus on locations where the species once lived or a current population persists. These recovery efforts are actively promoted by the IUCN. Through our program, we work with Indigenous peoples, governments, academic institutions, fellow aquariums, NGOs, tourism operators and for-profit companies. The benefits of working in partnership with experts and communities from around the world are exponential:

  • Bringing together people from varied industries and with diverse perspectives catalyzes innovative, enduring solutions and cultivates community connections.
  • Building local capacity and expertise helps propel future conservation programs led by local leaders.
  • Through these partnerships, we’ll reach millions of people each year with conservation education, which will help increase public understanding and support of and engagement in species conservation.

Species we're Helping

An adult pinto abalone.

Recovering xʷč’iłqs (pinto abalone)

In 2020, we joined Puget Sound Restoration Fund, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife and others to recover xʷč’iłqs, which is Lushootseed for pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana).

Photo: Adult pinto abalone, courtesy of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Striped juvenile zebra shark resting on a gravel covered ground underwater.

Recovering endangered sharks and rays

We helped launch a first-of-its-kind global coalition—ReShark—to restore endangered sharks and ray populations. ReShark includes 70+ nonprofit, academic and government partners. The coalition’s first project is to recover Indo-Pacific leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) in Indonesia. This species is critical to the health of its whole ecosystem, but its numbers have dramatically declined in recent years. With leadership from the West Papuan government and together with our other collaborators, we are working to turn the tide.

Photo: Juvenile zebra shark, Grant Abel, Seattle Aquarium

Advancing Global Strategies

In addition to our field conservation projects, we also advance global conservation strategies for endangered species. This includes participation in IUCN and government working groups for cetaceans, otters, and sharks; serving on the AZA SAFE Shark & Ray Program Steering Committee; and advocating for policies to advance southern resident orca recovery.

Meet Our Team

We invite you to view images of various Seattle Aquarium staff hard at work saving endangered species.

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Website maintenance

Please note: Our ticketing and membership systems will be offline for approximately two hours starting at 9pm Pacific on Tuesday, February 20. During the maintenance window, online ticketing and membership will not be available.

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Support the Seattle Aquarium

Two sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium floating on the water in their habitat, holding onto each other demonstrating a rafting behavior.

With your help, the Seattle Aquarium builds connections with our community to inspire conservation and curiosity for marine life. When you make an end-of-year gift by December 31, you'll be joining us in protecting our shared marine environment—now and for generations to come. Thank you!

An adult sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium looking upwards with its front paws resting on its front.

Giving Tuesday

Make a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Seattle Aquarium

Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 thanks to a very generous anonymous donor!

Sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium laying on its back, raising its head and front paws.

Cyber weekend

Get 15% OFF all memberships!