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Image Courtesy of Pirates Voyage Panama City Beach Location Coming in 2025! Pirates Voyage is bringing the swashbuckling excitement of their dinner show to Panama City Beach, Florida!  Ground was broken early in 2024 and progress is being made on the 60,000-square-foot pirate-themed dinner theater which will seat more than 1,000 guests.  In partnership with Pirates Voyage, Ocean Connections will be providing the animal ambassador portion of this exhilirating show as well as educational opportunities for the local community.  We look forward to welcoming you to this family-friendly attraction featuring acrobatics, fire acts, mermaids, sword fights, a four-course meal, and, of course, Salty the Sea Lion!  Check back for more updates.      

Daily Schedule for Hershey, PA Ocean Connections is a separate, 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates within Hersheypark.  We offer programs that are fun for the whole family! This page is updated frequently so be sure to check back for the most current schedule.  All proceeds from these programs directly contribute to the care and welfare of our animals.   Seal & Sea Lion Demonstrations Visit your friends from the sea at the Hersheypark Aquatheatre!  This 15-20 minute presentation highlights the natural grace, agility, and coordination of seals and sea lions. Offered Saturdays & Sundays at 1:30 and 3:30p.m. Seal & Sea Lion Demonstrations are included with valid Hersheypark admission.     Seal & Sea Lion Feeding and Photo Opportunities Come meet our animals and support ocean conservation with our daily Seal & Sea Lion Feedings!  Chat with our animal care team, bring the whole family poolside to meet one of our flippered friends, and experience the magic of marine mammals up close! Offered Saturdays & Sundays at 1:30 and 3:30p.m.  Tickets are valid for the day of purchase.  *Feed & Photo Sessions will occur following the Seal & Sea Lion Demonstrations.     Ocean Encounter - Touch & Feed Get ready for an up-close and personal experience with one of the amazing animal ambassadors of Ocean Connections.  Participants iin this program will have the opportunity to feed and give a back rub to one of our seals or sea lions.  Plus, we'll capture the moment with a commemorative photo.  Take a tour behind-the-scenes to learn more about how we care for our animals before enjoying preferred seating for our Seal & Sea Lion Demonstration! Check back for availability!   Water Friends Tour This interactive experience features the opportunity to meet ZooAmerica's river otters and participate in a training session with a seal or sea lion at Ocean Connections. Offered Saturdays & Sundays at: 11:00am. Advanced registration is required and limited spots are available.  Learn more or register today by clicking here.              

Ocean Connections is excited to welcome you and your family back to visit us starting Saturday June 13th, 2020.  Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our animals and guests so we are closely following the guidelines of the CDC as well as the Milwaukee County Zoo.  Please thoroughly read our new protocols below before visiting us: GUEST RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN OCEAN CONNECTIONS If you or any member of your party or family is not feeling well, please don’t visit. We welcome your visit when everyone is well. Currently, government health organizations are recommending people 65 years and older, those who live in a nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and people with underlying medical conditions should either remain home or keep their distance from others.  REFERENCES:  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html   All guests ages three years and up are required to wear a face mask/covering throughout their visit. This is for your own protection and for the protection of other guests and employees at the Zoo.  Employees will also be wearing face masks/coverings within public areas.   Practice good hygiene while visiting the Milwaukee County Zoo.   We have enhanced our already-stringent cleaning protocols considering the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask for your patience if you experience any delays or inconvenience as a result of these procedures. Follow physical distancing guidelines carefully, maintaining 6 feet of space from other guests/employees. Family members and others (a “family unit”) who live in the same household can be closer together. All others should strictly adhere to the physical distancing guidelines. This will apply throughout the Zoo including on rides in queue lines, in/at exhibits, in/at food and beverage facilities, in show venues, and in restrooms. To facilitate adherence to physical distancing guidelines, Ocean Connections will operate at designated reduced capacities during the opening phase(s). If you feel ill once you are at the Zoo call 414-771-3040. You and your party will be asked to move to a special area within a facility for further assessment. Ocean Connections is dedicated to thew ell-being and safety of its patrons, staff, and animals.  We will continue to follow the required guidelines related to COVID-19.  Please be aware that changes to Ocean Connections operations and protocols may occur at any time.  Current guidelines are temporary and, when appropriate, Ocean Connections will transition into cooperation with the Phase II guidelines set forth by the CDC and Milwaukee County Zoo.

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 “touch the heart, teach the mind” philosophy comes to life at each of locations through various opportunities to meet, feed, and learn about our animal ambassadors.  We are honored to provide forever homes for rescued marine mammals and ensure the well-being of the animals in our care.  Learn more about each of our locations below.   __________________________________________________________________   Hershey, PA Since 2009, Ocean Connections partnered with Hersheypark to provide educational and conservation-based marine mammal programming.  Immerse yourself in the world of marine mammals, animal care, and environmental protection during featured presentations and interactive programs. Programs Offered: Seal & Sea Lion Feeding and Photo Session: Offered after select Seal & Sea Lion Shows. Come poolside to give some tasty fish treats to one of our seals or sea lions or get a high-resolution family photo with one of our animals Flippered Friends & Family: Join our interactive VIP experience at Ocean Connections! Bring the whole family to visit our seals and sea lions. Learn all about the importance of these ambassadors and feed them before engaging in a private poolside training session with our seals or sea lions!  Job Shadow: Interested in a career working with marine mammals? Guests 13 years of age and older can come behind the scenes to shadow one of our animal care specialists! Learn how we provide exceptional care for our seals and sea lions, come poolside for a private training and husbandry session, and more!  For more information or to make a reservation for this program click here. Outreach & Digital Learning: Bring the magic of marine mammals right to your classroom! Offering Zoo to You programs and Digital Learning Opportunities, our education team can fully customize our curriculum to your needs. __________________________________________________________________ Milwaukee, WI Ocean Connections was founded here in 1991.  Our commitment to protecting our global waterways and the Great Lakes healthy continues here through local community programming.   Programs Offered: Outreach & Digital Learning: Bring the magic of marine mammals right to your classroom! Offering Zoo to You programs and Digital Learning Opportunities, our education team can fully customize our curriculum to your needs.  Learn more by clicking here.   __________________________________________________________________   Myrtle Beach, SC In 2023, Ocean Connections partnered with Pirates Voyage to provide the animal ambassador portion of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.  Meet the macaws, dogs, and sea lions that call Ocean Connections Myrtle Beach home through interactive and educational experiences. Programs Offered: Animal Encounter: Meet, feed, and train one of our sea lions.  Explore the adaptations macaws have to survive in the rainforest.  Discover how you can use the positive reinforcement training techniques we utilize with your own pets at home!  For more information, click here. Outreach & Digital Learning: Bring the magic of marine mammals right to your classroom! Offering Zoo to You programs and Digital Learning Opportunities, our education team can fully customize our curriculum to your needs.  Learn more by clicking here. __________________________________________________________________ Pigeon Forge, TN In 2023, Ocean Connections partnered with Pirates Voyage to provide the animal ambassador portion of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.  Meet the macaws, dogs, and sea lions that call Ocean Connections Pigeon Forge home through interactive and educational experiences. Programs Offered: Animal Encounter: Meet, feed, and train one of our sea lions.  Explore the adaptations macaws have to survive in the rainforest.  Discover how you can use the positive reinforcement training techniques we utilize with your own pets at home!  For more information, click here. Outreach & Digital Learning: Bring the magic of marine mammals right to your classroom! Offering Zoo to You programs and Digital Learning Opportunities, our education team can fully customize our curriculum to your needs.  Learn more by clicking here. __________________________________________________________________     Panama City Beach, FL (Coming Soon) We’re expanding! We’re bringing the swashbuckling excitement of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show to Florida.  Construction has already begun at Pier Park and will be opening in spring of 2025.  

  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!

Ocean Connections is devastated to share that our femal Atlantic harbor seal, Mango, has passed. When animals, like Mango, come from the wild it is not uncommon for them to have underlying health issues which do not surface for years.  In April of 2021 after extensive efforts from our animal care and veterinary teams, x-rays of Mango’s chest showed she has cancerous masses.  We dedicated our lives to ensuring that Mango received the best care, quality of life, and unwavering love throughout her journey.  She, unfortunately, succumbed to the disease and lost her battle with cancer at the beginning of May.  She will forever be remembered as an amazing ambassador, loving mom, and an international internet sensation.  We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to have loved and be loved by Mango. If you would like to see the full tribute to this beautiful soul, click here.   

  Education Impact Summary 2022 2022 was a big year for Ocean Connections as we furthered our commitment to STEAM+ based, educational programming. From beloved interactive experiences to new learning opportunities, our Education Impact Summary highlights how we fulfill Ocean Connections' mission of inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education. Read the full report by clicking here.

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.

  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.

DayOftheSeal-2024 by Shelley Ballmann

    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 educational reach of Ocean Connections today. Click here to learn more or donate today.     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

  Pirates Voyage is bringing the swashbuckling excitement of their dinner show to Panama City Beach, Florida!  Ground was broken early in 2024 and progress is being made on the 60,000-square-foot pirate-themed dinner theater which will seat more than 1,000 guests.  In partnership with Pirates Voyage, Ocean Connections will be providing the animal ambassador portion of this exhilirating show as well as educational opportunities for the local community.  We look forward to welcoming you to this family-friendly attraction featuring acrobatics, fire acts, mermaids, sword fights, a four-course meal, and, of course, Salty the Sea Lion!  Check back for more updates.                                      Image Courtesy of Pirates Voyage.

Join Ocean Connections Myrtle Beach and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show for a beach clean-up adventure! Meet community members, learn about our conservation efforts, and help us keep our coastline clean on Sunday September 22nd, 2024 from 2:00-4:00pm at Myrtle Beach (8th Avenue N. Beach Access). Questions? Contact us at education@oceanconnections.org. We hope to "sea" you there!

DayOftheSeal-2025 by Shelley Ballmann

  The Wait is Over! Our Panama City Beach, Florida location is now open.  Check out the swashbuckling excitement of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show at this 60,000-square-foot pirate-themed dinner theater which seats more than 1,000 guests.  Ocean Connections provides the animal ambassador portion of this exhilirating show and looks forward to introducing educational opportunities for the local community soon.  Don't miss out on this family-friendly experience featuring acrobatics, fire acts, mermaids, sword fights, a four-course meal, and, of course, Salty the Sea Lion! Learn more or purchase your tickets today by clicking here.

Join Ocean Connections and Keep Sevier Beautiful for our first clean-up of 2026 and help remove pollution from the Greenway and Little Pigeon River.  Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2026  Time: 9:00 - 11:00AM ET  Location: Meet at the Pirates Voyage Parking Lot (2713 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863) Bags, gloves, and grabbers will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes. Long-sleeves, pants, and bringing water are recommended. Questions? Contact us at education@oceanconnections.org 

Ocean Connections marine mammal interactions. About Us: Ocean Connections is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education.  We are committed to providing exceptional welfare to the animals that call us home and fostering empathy for wildlife and nature through various learning opportunities.  With locations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and South Carolina, our "touch the heart, teach the mind" philosophy comes to life through exciting, educational, and interacative experiences.  From community outreach to small-group encounters, there's something for everyone! We hope that you have the opportunity to join us and experience the wonder of widlife up close. The opportunity to interact with our flippered, furry, and feathered family awaits you! Hershey Schedule: Seal & Sea Lion Demonstrations Weekends starting April 3rd at 1:30pm and 3:30pm Seal & Sea Lion Feedings and Photo Sessions: Weekends starting April 3rd at 1:30pm and 3:30pm Water Friends Tour: Saturdays & Sundays at 11:00am Myrtle Beach Schedule: Showtimes Vary: For Ticketing & Show Information click here. Animal Encounter: Offered Daily Learn More by clicking here. Panama City Beach Schedule: Showtimes Vary: For Ticketing & Show Information click here. Animal Encounter: Offered Daily Learn More by clicking here. Pigeon Forge Schedule: Showtimes Vary: For Ticketing & Show Information click here. Animal Encounter: Offered Daily Learn More by clicking here.  

 2/5/12 This winter we welcomed a new member to our pinniped family! In late January, Bumper, a 2 year old male Atlantic harbor seal joined Ocean Connections from Long Island Aquarium in New York. Being a juvenile, Bumper weighs in at 130 pounds. When full grown, male harbor seals reach weights of approximately 300 pounds and lengths of 6 feet. This little guy sure has some growing to do! At his previous home, Bumper was an exhibit animal and had just begun his formal training. As an inquisitive youngster, Bumper is curious about everything in his new environment. We are excited to continue his training and help him transition from an exhibit to a show and interactive environment. Bumper’s training goals include advancing his foundation behaviors, building trust in his new trainers and learning voluntary husbandry behaviors to help the animal care staff monitor his health on a daily basis. For photos and news updates about Bumper’s transition to life at Ocean Connections, be sure to follow us on Facebook! < Back to Current Events

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