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It is with a heavy heart that the Oceans of Fun animal care team announces the loss of our rescued male California sea lion, Nalu.  Nalu was found at three months of age stranded on the pacific coast and was extremely malnourished and dehydrated.  Being so young and still of nursing age, Nalu was deemed non-releasable by the National Marine Fisheries and would need to find a placement.  Oceans of Fun was then contacted and gladly accepted their request to provide a permanent home to the orphaned sea lion pup. Rescuing stranded animals and giving them a second chance at life is part of the conservation efforts accredited marine mammal facilities like Oceans of Fun are dedicated to.  Life in the wild is harsh and there is so much we do not know about these animals including their history, why they stranded, or their exposure to toxins like Domoic Acid.  Unfortunately, we have seen so many pups strand with Domoic Acid exposure which, while unrecognizable, proves to be fatal within the first few years of life.  Preliminary tests are leading to exposure to toxins early in life as this week Nalu’s neurological system failed.  Part of conservation is research and so we will continue to learn about the status of our oceans from the loss of animals unable to survive its dangers. For all of us at Oceans, who gave so much to this special little pup, this is a tremendous loss. Nalu won all of our hearts with his gentle, lovable personality. While we didn’t understand his early challenges in the wild, he enjoyed a wonderful life with us thriving with his pinniped friends and loving every interaction with his trainers. He will forever hold a very special place in our hearts and his story will continue to educate on the dangers marine mammals are facing today.  With sad hearts we give a final kiss on the nose to this wonderful little sea lion who inspired us all.

DayOftheSeal-2024 by Shelley Ballmann

DayOftheSeal-2025 by Shelley Ballmann

Thank you for submitting your application! Your application and resume have been submitted successfully and we will review them soon. Please remember that you must submit Two Professional Letters of Recommendation for full consideration. If you are pursuing college credit, you must also submit a letter from your Sponsoring Professor verifying your eligibility to receive college credit. These letters must be sent directly to Ocean Connections in a signed, sealed envelope or emailed directly to the Intern/Volunteer Coordinator.  Please send all application materials to: Ocean Connections Attn: Intern/Volunteer Coordinator 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226 For questions or more information please contact our Intern/Volunteer Coordinator directly by clicking here.  

We have a new family member! Early on Wednesday morning, April 17, 2013 at 12:06am Sonoma, a 12 year old female California sea lion gave birth to her first pup at Oceans of Fun. The female pup came into the world at 12:06am weighing 17 pounds and measuring 72 cm in length. We haven't named our little arrival yet as she has been keeping us plenty busy, but we thought it important to share her story!  It is not uncommon for first time mothers to lack or be uncertain of the skills needed to successfully give birth, and nurse and nurture their first pup. In the wild, this is called "survival of the fittest" and commonly, these first-time pups don't survive. This week when Sonoma had a challenging first labor, her uncertainty towards nurturing quickly became apparent to the Oceans of Fun staff. One of the advantages of caring for these animals in zoological environments is the ability to intervene and assist the mother and pup in becoming successful. When Sonoma failed to nurse her pup, the Oceans of Fun trainers and veterinary teams swung into action, providing 24 hour care for the new arrival.   Monitoring, creating a successful pup formula, feeding and caring for newborns requires extensive training and time. Babies are always a great deal of work but it is clear that our dedication is paying off! This little pup required around the clock care and feedings every four hours. Trainers not only cared for the pup, but worked with Sonoma and Aunt Makaia to encourage bonding and pup nurturing. Although initially uncertain about her new endeavor, the past 24 hours have resulted in Sonoma's development as a mother. It's hard to determine why, but pup abandonment may be a result of inexperience, exhaustion, a difficult labor or bonding may just require time. Regardless, Sonoma has successfully learned and taken on the role of motherhood and today began nursing and protecting her pup - exactly what we want to see! The first few days of any life are critical. We are thrilled at the progress and success currently occurring between mother and pup. We're still under 24 hour care but the road ahead looks bright for our new family member!

It's a girl! Early in the morning on Sunday June 10th, our Atlantic harbor seals Mango and Bumper at our Hersheypark location welcomed their very first pup!  So far, Mango has been an incredible mom and the two have already made it through some incredible milestones!  They are successfully bonding and establishing nursing patterns.  This is the first seal pup to be welcomed into the Oceans of Fun family and this little lady is already proving to have a big personality.  In honor of our partnership with Hersheypark and her sweet personality, we have given our newest family member the name Cocoa! Welcome to the world, Cocoa!

Always dedicated to the advancement of the welfare and care of the marine mammals in our care, we are committed to growing as animal care professionals. Though Oceans of Fun has been a leader in pinniped care for the past 26 years, we are always eager to continue to learn more about the amazing animals we work with.  This past month, several members of our staff were able to attend conferences for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). These conferences are always an opportune time to grow and continue to excel as leaders in pinniped care and training.   Earlier this month, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) held their annual conference at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. AZA brings together animal care managers who are committed to exceptional animal welfare from around the world. Keynote speakers Dr. M Sanjayan of Conservation International and Chris Fischer of Ocearch did a wonderful job highlighting the importance of collaboration among zoos, aquariums, researchers and conversationalist worldwide. Individually, we can make a difference in animals’ lives, but collectively we can make a difference in the world by saving species, educating public, and tackling critical conservation crisis. One current crisis is the unusual mortality event for California sea lions occurring on the western coast. Oceans of Fun is doing their part to help with several stranded pups by providing them with permanent homes.    This past week, several lucky trainers from Oceans of Fun were able to attend the 43rd Annual IMATA Conference for the hosted by Dolphin Cay Atlantis in the Bahamas. Members from the animal training community worldwide gathered to share and collaborate. Animal care professionals from all over the world came together. This years’ conference totaled 352 attendees representing 33 countries and 131 organizations.   Members of our training staff attend both conferences annually. Not only are they fantastic networking events, but also a learning opportunity for our trainers. Daily activities include workshops, formal presentations, and discussions covering conservation, education, research, and animal care. Both are exemplary organizations that connect trainers, veterinarians, educators, and students pursuing careers in the field of zoo and aquarium science.    Oceans of Fun strives to provide mentorship to students by offering intern and volunteer opportunities at our facilities. IMATA holds an annual job fair at their conference. Job fairs are a great way for interested applicants to learn more about these positions and for current trainers to meet the future leaders of our field.    Details on memberships for AZA and IMATA can be found on their websites.   

Did you know 50% of the plastic pollution entering the Great Lakes enters through Lake Michigan? You can help be part of the solution by joining us for a Beach Clean-Up!   Date: Thursday June 15th Time: 5:30 - 7:00pm Location: South Shore Park (2900 S. Shore Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53207)     Trash bins are provided but we ask you to consider bringing a bucket or plastic bag from home to reduce the event's environmental footprint. Please bring gloves if you have them. If you have additional questions please contact us at education@oceanconnections.org or (414) 453-5527. We hope to see you there!

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 

Our Flippered Friends & Family program brings you and your loved ones behind the scenes at Ocean Connections! This 30 minute program includes visiting off exhibit areas and a private training session with one of our seals or sea lions. Learn more or make your reservation today by visiting: https://www.oceansoffun.org/program_details/26

For the entire month of June, Oceans of Fun will join our colleagues at the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) in a month-long social media campaign to raise awareness of marine debris and motivate people around the world to clean up and prevent more trash from entering our world’s oceans. Be sure to check out our World Oceans Month page to learn more and follow us on Facebook to learn how we can work together to create a #DebrisFreeSea!

Join our animal care team on Facebook Live with Fox6 News Milwaukee!  Dedicated to saving species around the globe, our facility has enacted multiple programs including offering Seal and Sea Lion Feedings to fundraise contributions for our worldwide strides in conservation. We encourage you to drop in on our Facebook Live with Fox6 as we share with you more information on our new program and our Saving Species initiative following our 1:30 Seal and Sea Lion Show at around 1:45/1:50 CST!

Join our animal care team on Facebook Live with Fox6 News Milwaukee as we share a big announcement with all of you!  We encourage you to drop in on our Facebook Live with Fox6 as we share with you more information at 1:30 CST!

The Oceans of Fun team is at it again! Even though World Ocean Month has ended, that does not mean we have stopped our conservation efforts.  Last week, several members of our training staff, interns, and their friends and families came together to clean up South Shore Park Beach in an effort to make our beaches “Barefoot Friendly”. The event, sponsored by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly and organized by Friends of South Shore Park, made a lasting impact by removing 122.5 pounds of debris from the lakefront. The Oceans of Fun team alone removed 10 pounds! The most commonly found items during our beach clean up were cigarette butts, firework debris, and small plastic pieces. In order to track debris polluting our beaches, teams filled out logs of items found. A complete list of items removed can be found here. Not only does participating in beach clean ups make our beaches barefoot friendly, but it also ensures a safe habitat for countless animals that make the lakeshore home. Entanglement and choking are just a few of the many hazards this debris can present to wildlife. If you are interested in making a difference, you can find a beach clean up near you. Visit www.greatlakesadopt.org to find events near you and to learn more. Be sure to follow Oceans of Fun on Facebook to learn more about joining us in our conservation efforts. 

Kanuk is the seventh rescued California sea lion we have provided a forever home for at Oceans of Fun! Kanuk was found stranded, malnourished, and dehydrated off the coast of San Pedro, California. He was one of thousands of starving pups struggling to survive.  A local rescue center attemped to rehabilitate and release him but after he stranded multiple times it was clear he lacked necessary survival skills.  It was then that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administartion (NOAA) deemed him non-releasable.  Accredited zoological facilities are working with NOAA and the receiving stranding centers to ensure care, food, medicine, and - when needed - forever homes to marine mammals unable to survive in the wild.  In 2015, Oceans of Fun was one of several facilities called upon for assistance.  On September 10, 2018 the Oceans of Fun animal care team in collaboration with the Chicago Zoological Society at Brookfield Zoo transported Kanuk to his forever home here in Milwaukee.  The last month has been spent meeting new friends, building relationships, and ensuring Kanuk's successful acclimation into his new place.  We are again thrilled to open our hearts and facility to an animal in need! Be sure to follow us on social media to hear more about his progress and read his full story by clicking here.

Kids Educational Programs & Camps in Milwaukee, WI for Ages 10-12.

Kids Educational Programs & Camps in Milwaukee, WI for Ages 7-9.

  Ocean Connections welcomes you to come visit our flippered friends!  Before you arrive, there are some policies to keep in mind.  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 protocols below before visiting.   The Milwaukee County Zoo is currently in Phase 2 of its reopening, with outdoor habitats open, along with some animal buildings, concessions, and merchandise outlets with 25 percent capacity for visitors and Zoo Pass holders.  Ocean Connections is open daily and will offer various programs throughout the day while enforcing the following:    Physical distancing and face masks for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place to align with federal and state guidance.    Visual signage and staff members are reminding visitors to maintain a 6-foot physical distance while inside the Ocean Connections stadium.    All visitors must wear approved face masks fully covering their nose and mouth throughout the duration of their visit.  Approved face masks include: cloth face masks with two or more layers of breathable, washable fabric; or disposable face masks such as non-medical grade paper or procedure masks.  FDA-approved face masks for sign language (ASL or LEP) interpreters. Ocean Connections Saving Species Masks can be purchased by clicking here or visiting our Sea Lion Shoppe.  Unapproved face masks include: neck scarves or bandanas, neck gaiters or buffs, winter scarves, face shields, masks with exhalation valves or vents, masks with inappropriate images or writing.  Advanced registration for Ocean Connections Seal & Sea Lion Feedings and Photo Sessions is not required but is highly encouraged.  Ticketing and programming information can be found by clicking here.    Our Commitment to Keeping You Safe:  Ocean Connections and the Milwaukee County Zoo are taking additional precautions to keep you and your family safe during your visit including:  A single point of entry will be designated through which all visitors are admitted into the Ocean Connections stadium  Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the Zoo, including entrances and exits to our facility  We are enhancing our already-stringent cleaning protocols, and continuously cleaning and sanitizing all high-touch surfaces like railings, stanchions, and more  Ocean Connections visitors (ages 3+) will be required to wear masks. Ocean Connections Saving Species Masks can be purchased by clicking here or visiting our Sea Lion Shoppe. All Ocean Connections staff members working directly with the public will be required to wear masks    Ocean Connections is dedicated to the well-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 3 guidelines set forth by the CDC and Milwaukee County Zoo. 

Ocean Connections welcomes you to come visit our flippered friends!  Before you arrive, there are some policies to keep in mind.  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 protocols below before visiting. The Milwaukee County Zoo is currently in Phase 2 of its reopening, with outdoor habitats open, along with some animal buildings, concessions, and merchandise outlets with 25 percent capacity for visitors and Zoo Pass holders.  Ocean Connections is open daily and will offer various programs throughout the day while enforcing the following:  Physical distancing and face masks for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place to align with federal and state guidance.    Visual signage and staff members are reminding visitors to maintain a 6-foot physical distance while inside the Ocean Connections stadium.      All visitors must wear approved face masks fully covering their nose and mouth throughout the duration of their visit. Approved face masks include: cloth face masks with two or more layers of breathable, washable fabric; or disposable face masks such as non-medical grade paper or procedure masks.  FDA-approved face masks for sign language (ASL or LEP) interpreters. Ocean Connections Saving Species Masks can be purchased by clicking here or visiting our Sea Lion Shoppe.  Unapproved face masks include: neck scarves or bandanas, neck gaiters or buffs, winter scarves, face shields, masks with exhalation valves or vents, masks with inappropriate images or writing. Advanced registration for Ocean Connections Seal & Sea Lion Feedings and Photo Sessions is not required but is highly encouraged.  Ticketing and programming information can be found by clicking here.   Our Commitment to Keeping You Safe:  Ocean Connections and the Milwaukee County Zoo are taking additional precautions to keep you and your family safe during your visit including: A single point of entry will be designated through which all visitors are admitted into the Ocean Connections stadium  Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the Zoo, including entrances and exits to our facility  We are enhancing our already-stringent cleaning protocols, and continuously cleaning and sanitizing all high-touch surfaces like railings, stanchions, and more  Ocean Connections visitors (ages 3+) will be required to wear masks. Ocean Connections Saving Species Masks can be purchased by clicking here or visiting our Sea Lion Shoppe. All Ocean Connections staff members working directly with the public will be required to wear masks      Ocean Connections is dedicated to the well-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 3 guidelines set forth by the CDC and Milwaukee County Zoo. 

Talise's Big Adventure Over the past 11 weeks our sweet Talise has conquered many feats. This past week, Talise conquered our 18-foot pool like a star! Before reaching this big milestone, Talise had to become comfortable in our 6-foot holding pools. Talise also met all of her other pool mates and began to form relationships with each seal and sea lion. It was important for Talise to be comfortable around all of her flippered friends before entering the big pool to help ensure that she would feel as secure as possible in her new environment. Colby, our 1-year-old juvenile sea lion has proven to be a great playmate for Talise. Once the trainers at Oceans of Fun were confident in Talise’s swimming ability, it was time to open the gate to a brand new world of fun! It took just moments and some coaxing from her mother Sonoma for Talise to leave the comfort of the holding pool and venture into the deep blue! Funny enough Sonoma, who has turned into an outstanding mother, decided she was not to sure about Talise exploring the big pool. Sonoma was at Talise’s side the whole time and worked hard to persuade our little pup to stay on land by playing with her and strategically positioning herself convincing Talise to nurse. We all quickly learned that it was not only Talise's comfort which had to develop but moms too! Since that first day out in the main pool, Sonoma has become more comfortable and each day allows Talise to dive deeper and explore her new playground! Over the next few months, Talise will continue to explore the main pool and be exposed to the show atmosphere. This is all part of her informal training with us! Be sure to come out this summer and visit us, and you may get a chance to watch Talise’s playful antics - she's sure to delight you!

Let the Good Times Roll! The adventures of Talise, Nalu and Colby never seem to stop!  All three of our playful youngsters are experiencing new things every day!  Talise and Nalu are growing in leaps and bounds as they are eating a consistent diet of yummy fish comprised of capelin and herring.  Training is also a huge part of the pups’ daily routine.  Talise and Nalu are continuing to build a solid foundation for their training, including gating, which is taking turns.  It is essential for each animal to get one-on-one time with each trainer to be successful with training, so in order to make this possible, we work daily to teach our animals to take turns.  Colby is progressing beautifully with his training and he continues to learn new behaviors daily, such as his ball touch! Talise and Nalu have officially made their big debut to our main pool, and they are loving every second of it!  As Talise had been in our main pool last fall, she had no hesitation jumping right back in to the vast 18-foot deep pool!  Nalu took a moment to take in his new surroundings, but he quickly followed Talise and Colby into the pool to engage in one of their favorite games of tag!  Since entering our main pool, the pups have been exposed to the sights and sounds of our daily shows and interactive programs.  This is all part of a process call desensitization, which helps our animals to get used to the many different things they may experience on a daily basis.  Colby, Talise and Nalu will continue to be exposed to many new things each and every day.  Be sure to stop by this summer to see Colby, Talise and Nalu as they continue to learn new things!

3 1/2 Months Old Ever since entering our vast 18-foot deep pool, Talise’s days have been filled with adventure! Each day Talise’s trainers let her into the large pool for several hours, always under the watchful eye of her mother Sonoma and the staff at Oceans of Fun. It has quickly become apparent that Talise is a very brave and curious pup. She is always finding new places to explore and investigate. From under our wet dock to walking down the ramps to the concrete, there is nothing this feisty pup cannot conquer! Not only is Talise learning more about her environment but her informal training is well underway! Talise is typically out in the main pool during shows and interactive programs. Though she may not be participating in shows or programs, she is being exposed to the many different sights and sounds that before long will be a huge part of her life. And no matter what is going on, Talise is never far from the action as she always seems to be taking everything in preparing for her day in the spotlight!

Our Summer Day Camp Programs include fun activities, adventures within the Milwaukee County Zoo, and quality time with our animal ambassadors. The Nautical Navigators program even allows your camper to get in the water with our seals and sea lions! Limited spots remain so be sure to reserve your spot today: https://www.oceanconnections.org/camps