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Meet Sonoma! Adult female California sea lion Born on July 3, 2000 Daughter to Sport Average weight is approximately 200lbs Sonoma was born at Ocean Connections on July 3, 2000. She was Sport’s fourth pup and was a welcome addition to our family. Sonoma spent her first year of life with us, learning and growing, but was transported to the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina in the fall of 2001 to assist in their sea lion demonstrations. Sonoma then went to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago in May 2009 before arriving back at Ocean Connections, once again, in October 2011. Sonoma never missed a beat in coming home and popped right back into her "home" environment seamlessly! Sonoma is a bundle of energy and enjoys playing and chasing her other sea lion pals. She can often be seen romping with Diego in what appears to be a good old game of tag! We are all thrilled to have her back and excitedly progressing with her training goals and medical work. With her playful antics, she is no doubt a crowd pleaser!  

Ocean Connections is a 501©3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world’s ocean through education. Our “what you see with your eyes, you value in your heart” philosophy brings you nose to nose with marine mammals in person or virtually. These unique experiences assist in creating a sustainable future of environmental leaders, making a positive impact on the natural world, and building a community of conservation. To increase our commitment to the community, we will be hosting our 5th Annual Turn the Tide Charity Gala on Saturday August 5th, 2023. We would be honored by your presence as our sponsors and supporters come together to enjoy an evening at a private lakeside manor in Nashotah, Wisconsin. Turn the Tide will include the unique opportunity to interact with exotic animal ambassadors from around the world, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent and live auction items, and many surprises you won’t want to miss! Turn the Tide is our premier gala and one of the most important fundraisers to keep critical programs and initiatives alive at Ocean Connections. Our gala is the conservation event of the summer and attracts a highly desirable market segment attended by a multitude of our local business professionals and community members who believe in the cultural and educational benefit Ocean Connections brings locally and globally. It is only with your continued support that we are able to do what we do. Whether your goal is conservation support, community involvement, increased brand recognition, or cause marketing, we offer a variety of customized benefits packages to develop a mutually beneficial partnership! They include but are not limited to:         TURN THE TIDE GALA For questions about becoming a sponsor for our Turn the Tide Gala contact Brittany Grogan at brittany@oceanconnections.org.   All sponsorships must be received by FRIDAY, JUNE 23RD, 2023 (unless otherwise arranged).  Sponsor Levels: Presenting Sponsor -  $15,000 ($13,400 tax deduction) Event Experience and Recognition: Exclusive Presenting Sponsor with premiere logo placement on promotional materials Featured donor highlight in our Fan Club online publication Verbal recognition at the event 16 tickets to the event 2 VIP tables with champagne Animal Ambassador Sponsor - $10,000 ($9,200 tax deduction) Event Experience and Recognition: Premiere logo placement on promotional materials Exclusive signage featuring premiere logo placement near animal areas Verbal recognition at the event 8 tickets to the event 1 VIP table with champagne Conservation Education Sponsor - $5,000  ($4,600 tax deduction)  Event Experience & Recognition: Premiere logo placement on promotional materials Exclusive signage featuring premiere logo placement on our event's Education Cart Verbal recognition at the event 4 tickets to the event Table seating with champagne Dessert Table Sponsor - $2,500 ($2,300 tax deduction) Event Experience & Recognition: Premiere logo placement on promotional materials Exclusive signage featuring premiere logo placement on our dessert table Verbal recognition at the event 2 tickets to the event Table seating with champagne Check-In Sponsor - $1,000  ($900 tax deduction) Event Experience & Recognition: Premiere logo placement on promotional materials Exclusive signage featuring premiere logo placement on our check-in table Verbal recognition at the event 1 ticket to the event Table seating with champagne Check-Out Sponsor - $1,000  ($900 tax deduction) Event Experience & Recognition: Premiere logo placement on promotional materials Exclusive signage featuring premiere logo placement on our check-out table Verbal recognition at the event 1 ticket to the event Table seating with champagne Want to learn more about how we fullfill our mission? Click here to read our Education Impact Summary!  

This Halloween we are all treat and no trick! Take advantage of our Spooktacular Sale running October 27th - 31st, 2018.  We're offering 15% off ALL Interactive Program Gift Certificates for the 2019 season! Witches, goblins, ghosts, and ghouls alike can learn more about our fang-tastic programs by clicking here! Includes: Sea Lion Splash, Aquatic Adventure, Job Shadow, Caring for Flippered Friends, and all Kids Summer Camps! Not valid on merchandise, paintings, non-interactive program gift certificates, or program observers. PURCHASE PROGRAM GIFT CERTIFICATES NOW! All 2019 program dates will be released in early November.  

APPLY TODAY! Ocean Connections is excited to announce that we have 10 Summer Camp Scholarships to honor for our Marine Voyagers and Sea Lion Explorers Marine Mammal Camps for 2023. The Ocean Connections Summer Camp Scholarship is open to any family who has experienced recent or sustained hardship. Whether your family is experiencing poverty, change of employment status, parental separation/divorce, recovering from natural disasters, illness, injury, loss of a loved one, or something else entirely, we are hopeful that this opportunity will provide a memorable, joyful experience to much needed individuals. Applications must be submitted on or before Friday, March 31st, 2023. To apply for the scholarship click here.

All of our interactive programs provide the amazing opportunity to meet some of our flippered friends.  Our Sea Lion Splash Jr. Trainer program has long been a favorite program and April 12th-16th you can enjoy 15% off this unique program! Participants ages 5-10 will learn about seals, sea lions, how we train, and so much more during their time with us.  All of this learning is coupled with animal interactions featuring the stars of Oceans of Fun! The animal lover in your life will absolutely adore meeting our animals up close and personal and getting to use some of the knowledge they learned to work alongside our seals and sea lions.  This two and a half hour program is perfect for the marine mammal lover in your life.  To learn more or make a reservation click here.

Ocean Connections in Hershey, PA gives your children the ultimate camp experience. Learn about our unique kids educational programs and sign up today.

Meet Bowie! At approximately one month of age, Bowie was found severely malnourished and dehydrated on an east coast beach.  He was immediately taken to the New York Marine Rescue Center where the veterinary and animal care team worked diligently to help him regain his strength in hopes of returning him to the wild.  During multiple medical assessments, it was discovered that Bowie has microphthalmia or under-developed eyes which resulted in him being completely blind in his right eye and partially blind in his left eye.  Sadly, Bowie would not be able to hunt or avoid predators with this condition and was deemed non-releasable.    Ocean Connections has been offered the opportunity to provide Bowie a second chance at life. We just need your help!  Transporting and caring for a Grey Seal is no easy feat!  You can assist Bowie in getting his forever home this holiday season in the following ways:     Donate On Our Website  PayPal  Purchase Bowie Merch  Venmo: @OceanConnections  Start a Fundraiser on Tiltify  Commission a Painting     Bowie thanks you in advance for your support! 

  In April of 2021, our rescued female Atlantic harbor seal, Mango, began exhibiting behaviors that concerned our animal care team.  After around-the-clock care, observation, and treatment, extensive measures were taken to diagnose the issue and support her.  When animals come from the wild, it is not uncommon for them to have underlying health issues which do not surface for years.  X-rays of Mango's chest displayed that she has cancerous masses.  We are committed to ensuring that Mango receives the best care, quality of life, and unwavering love throughout her journey.  While there are no treatment options available and the timeline is unknown, Mango is doing well.  If you would like to support Mango and her medical care, you are able to via any of the methods below:  On Our Website  Register for Our Virtual 5K  PayPal  Tiltify  Venmo: @OceanConnections  Purchase Mango Merch   Any contribution is greatly appreciated!

  Care. Connect. Conserve. Ocean Connections is a 510(c)3 non-profit organization that relies heavily on our supporters to fulfill our mission.  We are dedicated to inspiring public action and conservation awareness for our world's ocean through education.  Ocean Connections is committed to providing exceptional welfare to the animals that call us home as well as giving as many rescued marine mammals as possible a second chance at life.  We just need your help!  You can make a difference by supporting the animal welfare, care, and education reach of Ocean Connections today. Want to learn more about how we fullfill our mission? Click here to read our Education Impact Summary! Your Dollars at Work $25 - Feeds Our Harbor Seals for a Day $50 - Provides Necessary Vitamins for Our Entire Population for 1 Week $75 - Sponsors a Conservation Education Program for 1 School $100 - Provides Necessary Vitamins for Our Entire Population for 2 Weeks $250 - Feeds 1 Adult Male Sea Lion for a Week $500 - Provides Annual Veterinary Wellness Exam for 1 Animal $1,000 - Sponsors 1 Animal Care Team Member to Assist with the Transport of a Rescued Animal $2,500 - Feeds a Rescued Animal for 100 Days YOU can make a difference in the lives of the animals at Ocean Connections!       On behalf of all of us including Diego, Makaia, Sonoma, Ripley, Talise, Moana, Cruz, Reese, Scooter, Cobh, Satara, Harper and Cocoa we say THANK YOU!!!  

Ocean Connections is ecstatic to put the “fun” in fundraising as we support our mission of inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world’s ocean through education. This year, we welcome Timbavati Wildlife Park and their beautiful, exotic, and educational animals from around the globe. Come nose to nose with species from all over the world and experience interactions beyond your wildest dreams. Conservation artist Stephen Fishwick also joins us to share his talents with a live creation. All proceeds directly support our animal care, welfare, and educational reach throughout the community. Now through June 15th for every Turn the Tide ticket you purchase you'll receive a FREE ticket for our Seal & Sea Lion Feeding. Come poolside with our animal care team and flippered friends all while supporting ocean conservation. Make your Turn the Tide reservation today by clicking here. Unable to attend but looking to support Ocean Connections? For every donation of $50.00 or more, you'll receive a digital shoutout from one of our seals or sea lions.  Contribute today by clicking here.  

There are so many ways you can contribute to the animal welfare, care, and educational reach of Ocean Connections. One of the easiest ways is becoming involved with our biggest fundraiser of the year, Turn the Tide. Here's how you can help:   Donate Items from our Silent Auction Amazon Wishlist.   Attend the Event on August 5th! Turn the Tide includes meeting exotic animals from all over the world, an open bar, silent and live auction items, and more surprises you won't want to miss. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.   Follow us on social media, share our posts, and tag your friends to help spread the word!   Contributions directly support Ocean Connections which is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Talise is growing quickly!  This past week she has reached the milestone of learning to swim in one of our pools!   The past five weeks have been full of nursing, growing and exploring for our little Talise. At birth, sea lion pups do not know how to swim. In the wild they learn to explore the water on sandy beaches with slopes allowing them easy access and exit opportunities. Our deep pool is not so simple to climb out of, so over the past two weeks, our trainers have been teaching Talise how to swim and exit the pool comfortably - it truly is a learning process! We first introduced Talise to a small baby pool where she explored shallow waters and learned how to hold her breath. Once she was comfortable in the baby pool, we began doing swim lessons in our 6-foot deep holding pool. Here, she is working on mastering the art of maneuvering through the water while holding her breathe for longer periods of time building comfort in her aquatic environment. During these lessons, it has become quite clear just how much Talise loves the water! Her trust in our trainers has also become very apparent, as she prefers us in the water with her at all times. In working with her everyday our goal is to help build her strength and confidence in the water! In no time, Talise will be frolicking in our 18-foot deep pool with the other seals and sea lions! Just as the past 5 weeks have been full of new experiences for Talise, they have also been full of learning experiences for her mother Sonoma and the staff and trainers at Oceans of Fun. In the wild, it is not uncommon for first time mothers to be uncertain of how to care for their youngster; Sonoma was no exception. Learning proper mothering skills has not come naturally to Sonoma and trainers have had to step in to assist and help Sonoma develop nurturing skills. Our goals have not only included ensuring Talise's health, but also building Sonoma's skill set for success with future pups. It's an ongoing challenge but both Sonoma and Talise are getting the hang of it! Even Auntie Makaia has played a part in nurturing and caring for Talise, nursing the little pup in times of need! 24-hour care is all part of the responsibility we take so seriously in caring for these animals. As Talise grows stronger each day, we all smile knowing the role we are playing in her success!

Talise, a female California Sea Lion, was born on April 17, 2013 to her mother Sonoma at Oceans of Fun. She spends her days romping through our vast 18-foot main pool with all of her pool mates! Her favorite play mate is Colby, our one-year old male sea lion pup. These two can be found splashing and porpoising through the pools all day long! All of these play behaviors serve a very important role in helping Talise learn about relationships, how to survive in her environment while increasing her strength and coordination. Meet our pup!

Ben Lorber from WISN-TV Channel 12 came out to to showcase Ocean's of Fun newest family member, Talise!  We can't thank him enough for capturing such precious moments of Talise's first weeks!  Click here to check out his wonderful slideshow!

Join the Ocean Connections FANCLUB to receive our quarterly newsletter electronically, learn more about the Seals and Sea lions at Ocean Connections and receive promotions and specials notifications. Email Address: * First Name: Last Name: * required Old email sign upage stored below for backup...   Join the Ocean Connections FANCLUB to receive our quarterly newsletter electronically, learn more about the Seals and Sea lions at Ocean Connections and receive promotions and specials notifications. Name: Email:

 

  After over three decades of providing educational seal and sea lion programming which both entertains and inspires zoo patrons, Ocean Connections has left the Milwaukee County Zoo.  This decision was made after several months of careful consideration and conversations.  The pool in Milwaukee is 38 years old and is in need of restoration to remain operational and meet the welfare standards which are essential in housing marine mammals. The Milwaukee County Zoo decided not to allocate funds to these renovations and instead retired the facility at the close of 2023.  Ocean Connections was founded in Milwaukee, WI and was the only facility in the state to house California sea lions. “Providing forever homes to seals and sea lions, including rescued, non-releasable animals which touch the heart and teach the minds of our guests has allowed us to introduce thousands of children to the world of marine mammals, inspiring empathy and stewardship for our natural world. It is with great sadness that we now lose such an instrumental community reach.” said Ocean Connections President and CEO, Shelley Ballmann. “Our commitment to the community will remain strong as we plan to continue school outreach and community programs within the Greater Milwaukee area as well as within our sister parks in Hersheypark, PA, Pigeon Forge, TN and Myrtle Beach, SC. “   The Ocean Connections animals remain our highest priority. Our animals have been relocated to our sister facilities and are adjusting to their new homes. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so much for the love over the years and we look forward to your continued support.  

  Ocean Connections is Recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. With our doors in Milwaukee officially closed, Ocean Connections is tremendously grateful to be held in the memories of friends, colleagues, fans, and supporters who helped make Wisconsin home. On December 21st, 2023 we were honored by Kathleen Vincent and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors for 33 years of dedication to animal care, education programming, and community work. We would like to extend many thanks to the board for recognizing CEO & President, Shelley Ballmann, and for highlighting the value and impact of our programs. Thank you for this honor and we look forward to continuing to serve the Milwaukee community.