Oregon Coast Aquarium

We are incredibly grateful to announce that the Marcia H. Randall Foundation has gifted OCAq $500,000 to support the construction of our Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center! The Foundation has also issued a $500,000 matching challenge grant, bringing the total donation to $1 million once the match is met. Thanks to the challenge grant, all gifts and pledges made to the Aquarium’s wildlife rehabilitation fund between now and December 31 will be matched at a 1:1 ratio, doubling the impact of each dollar donated. 🌊https://lnkd.in/er3cKU-a Donations can be made online at aquarium.org/donate -- any amount makes a difference 💙 📷: a rendering of OCAq's future Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

On May 25, the Oregon Coast Aquarium unveils its newly renovated Rocky Coast gallery to the public! Formerly known as Rocky Shores, the gallery is a long-beloved Aquarium feature. The gallery’s main attraction is its touch pool, where visitors enjoy volunteer-led, hands-on encounters with sea stars, urchins, anemones, and other intertidal species. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gH8mf2fq 🌊

We’re thrilled to welcome Tony Arnell on board as our Director of Development; as a member of OCAq’s senior leadership team, the Director of Development drives strategic planning, secures annual grants and appeals for programs and projects, facilitates planned gifts, and leads membership efforts. With a background in conservation and fundraising, Tony is looking forward to supporting another organization in the environmental sector. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/g-hHdBRq

On March 26, a loggerhead sea turtle stranded on South Beach near Newport. Cold-stunned by our cool waters, the turtle was lethargic, with a core temperature of 54.8°F. A typical core temperature for a sea turtle is ~75°F. Once cold-stunned, these marine reptiles can’t navigate, and are at the mercy of the waves until they wash ashore. The stranded turtle was reported by Newport local Emily K.; Oregon Coast Aquarium staff responded and transported the animal back to OCAq. The turtle was identified as a sub-adult female, weighing in at just over 53lbs. While her prognosis was guarded, staff remained hopeful as they cared for her around the clock. On April 3, the sea turtle moved on to the next step in her recovery with our Stranding Network partners at SR³ - Sealife Response, Rehabilitation & Research, based in Washington state. The SR3 team loaded the loggerhead into their marine animal ambulance and headed north. The SR3 team took x-rays and tested the turtle’s blood to look for any underlying issues; in the meantime, the turtle continues to warm up in their pools. Stay tuned for updates from SR3, and remember: if you find a stranded sea turtle, report it as soon as possible to the Oregon State Police Tipline at 800-452-7888 or the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN) in OR, WA, and CA at 1-866-767-6114. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/geKtDnPX (Photos and care conducted under USFWS permit #24359) #seaturtles #conservation #rehabilitation #marinewildlife #oregoncoastaquarium #sr3

It’s a Pumpkin Palooza! Members of The Association of Zoos and Aquariums carved out some time for fun this spooky season. Huge thanks to Seattle Aquarium for coordinating this gourdeous collab! #SquadGourds #squashgoals #spookyszn #pumpkinart #skelefun #spooktacular #zoos #aquariums #oregoncoast #oregoncoastaquarium Music: Halloween Haunting by AlexiAction