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Meet Satara! Adult female harbor seal Average weight is 110 pounds Born in May of 1994 Learned to swim within 5 minutes of birth Came to Oceans of in the spring of 1997 from the Indianapolis Zoo Satara is our 18 year old Atlantic harbor seal and has been performing at Ocean Connections for 15 years. Satara enjoys interacting with the public in daily presentations and interactive programs. People of all ages enjoy her in our Aquatic Adventure programs as she loves to rub against participant’s legs and entertain them with her antics. The only female harbor seal in our pool, Satara is certainly in charge! Satara's favorite things to do are to play with enrichment in her environment and to chase the other animals around the pool letting them know that Seals Rule!  

Say Hello to Scooter! Adult male Pacific harbor seal Average weight is approximately 225 pounds Born May of 1996 Arrived at Ocean Connections in October of 2009 Scooter is our oldest male harbor seal in the family. He is a 16 year old Pacific harbor seal who came to us on a breeding loan in collaboration with Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT and the Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL. Scooter is a wonderful addition to the Ocean Connections family and has won over the heart of many guests. Gentle and trusting, Scooter is a natural in our interactive programs and camps. He is a very special animal - due to large cataracts Scooter's eyesight is extremely limited.  His trainers have committed themselves to providing him with excellent care and have altered his training style to ensure success.  Scooter is highly receptive and has spent the past three years here stimulated with new husbandry training goals which ensure voluntary cooperation between the veterinary staff and Scooter.  He continues to learn each and every day.  We're really not sure who is learning more....Scooter or his trainers.....but we're all having a wonderful time!  

Meet Talise!   Female California sea lion pup Born April 17, 2013 Daughter to Sonoma Welcome Talise, the littlest member of the Ocean Connections family! Born on April 17, 2013 to her mother Sonoma, it is already apparent that this little one is full of energy! At birth, Talise weighed in at 17 pounds! Since Talise is Sonoma’s first pup, building the initial bond between mother and pup proved to be a bit of a challenge in the beginning. But with the help of the trainers at Ocean Connections, Sonoma and Talise have been able to establish a strong bond. Sonoma and Talise are often heard vocalizing back and forth throughout the day and night; these vocalizations are the building blocks of a strong bond. In the wild, mother and pup will vocalize to each other in order to find each other among the hundreds of sea lions scattered along the beaches. As a growing pup, Talise’s days are full of nursing, investigating her surroundings, and of course sleeping. She is growing quickly and her personality is beginning to shine through. Strong and feisty, Talise is sure to keep her trainers on their toes as she continues to grow and learn! Click here to follow Talise’s story!

Daily, thousands of people around the nation use facial cleansers and toothpastes that are damaging the environment. You may ask, how can a face wash harm the environment? The answer is what is inside of them, small plastic beads called microbeads. A microbead is defined as a plastic particle less than 5 millimeters in length and is used to exfoliate. These beads get washed down the drain, are often too small to get caught in water filters, and then are released into lakes, streams, and even oceans. Once microbeads have entered a marine environment, such as Lake Michigan or the ocean, it then becomes considered a form of microplastic marine debris. Animals such as fish and birds can mistake these beads and other plastics for fish eggs or other forms of food. Once the animals eat them it can lead to death, but also microbeads effect the food chain. Plastic absorbs contaminants in water leading to a single microbead being 1 million times more toxic that it’s surrounding water. This may not be a large concern for the primary consumer that eats it such as a fish, but when a larger animal comes along and eats multiple fish that have eaten plastics, the threat grows as the toxin levels grow. This growth of toxin buildup can follow the food chain in a full circle to humans as well. Microbeads also add to the large amount of microplastic garbage patches forming in our world’s oceans. Garbage patches form when currents meet forming a reel of trash. For more information on marine debris formation of oceanic garbage patches go to http://oceansoffun.org/marine_debris. What are we doing to aid in the solution of the problem? On December 28, 2015 President Obama enacted a bill to prohibit the manufacturing of products which contain microbeads beginning July 1, 2017 and will phases out the sales of products containing microbeads in the next two years. This bill follows many other states banning microbeads first. For those who already own products containing microbeads and don’t know if they should continue using their products of throw them away, there is a better solution. 5 Gyres is an organization dedicated to researching and understanding how plastic effects our environments. 5 Gyres will accept used products containing microbeads to use in educational kits. Products that say they contain polyethylene and polypropylene contain microbeads. Send these products to 5 Gyres and you can help do your part stopping the use of microbeads as well as continuing the education about their effects on the world’s oceans. 5 Gyres Institute, 3131 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404 Include your name and email address so they can send a thank you for your help in education. While microbeads are a huge problem in adding to microplastic marine debris, they are not the only product of concern. Recent studies have found another form of plastic effecting specifically Lake Michigan; microfibers. Microfibers are small fibers which come out of our clothes made of polyester or polyurethane in the wash. When flushed out of the wash they can make their way into waterways. As the battle towards stopping the use and cleaning up microbeads continues to grow, continue to be mindful of other forms of plastic that can make their way into waterways as well. Being mindful of purchases and what products are made of as well as always remembering to recycle are key steps in working together to build a safer, cleaner environment for all organisms to thrive on earth. Sources http://seagrant.noaa.gov/News/FeatureStories/TabId/268/ArtMID/715/ArticleID/472/Plastic-fibers-emerge-as-Lake-Michigan-pollutant.aspx http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/types-and-sources-solutions/states-consider-plastic-microbead-bans http://www.5gyres.org/microbead/ http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/

The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to gather with friends and families to celebrate our nation. In this time, it is also important to recognize and remember those who protect us and our loved ones. The Milwaukee County Zoo honored military men and women by inviting them and their families to enjoy a day at the zoo. Though we should all honor these men and women daily, we made it a priority to make Military Day at the zoo extra special. Several members of our armed forces were able to meet some of our animals during interactions in our shows. They all even received a sea lion salute! Oceans of Fun thanks all members of our military, past or present, for all they do to protect what we cherish. We hope we made this Fourth of July weekend memorable for these brave men, women, and their families by sharing our seals and sea lions with them. 

Milwaukee News Update   After over three decades of providing educational seal and sea lion programming which both entertains and inspires zoo patrons, Ocean Connections will be leaving the Milwaukee County Zoo.  This decision has been made after several months of careful consideration and conversations.  Our existing 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 has decided not to allocate funds to these renovations and will instead be retiring our facility at the close of 2023.    Ocean Connections was founded in Milwaukee, WI and is 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 will all be relocated this winter within our sister facilities.  We ask that you greet this news with understanding and give our team grace as we prepare to say goodbye to our location within the zoo. We will continue to offer daily programs through December 3, 2023, so be sure to come and see your flippered friends. 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.        

Oceans of Fun is split into a variety of areas so our seals and sea lions can choose where they can be throughout the day.  Being new to our facility, we wanted Moana to slowly get acclimated to her new environment which began in our 6-8 feet deep habitat behind the scenes.  As she has become accustomed to our animal care team, her poolmates, and transitioned between these behind the scenes areas beautifully, today we were able to give her acccess to our 250,000 gallon, 18 feet deep main pool! Fox6 stopped by to film the whole event so be sure to check out the full story and video by clicking here.

On November 21, 2016, a call came in from a lifeguard to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center regarding a stranded animal near Huntington Beach, California.  This four-month old California sea lion pup was trapped in storm drain, sick, trembling, and lethargic.  The rescue team jumped into action and was successfully able to rescue her and transport her to the center for treatment. Upon arrival, she was treated for a variety of ailments including dehydration, high fever, and seizures.  She was severely underweight at only 20 pounds whereas pups her age are typically around 60 pounds.  The animal care team at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center worked around the clock to ensure the health and welfare of this patient.  She was initially tube fed a neonate formula to ensure she was getting the calories she needed.  Once she started eating fish, it became clear that this gentle and sweet pup was incapable of developing the skills needed to forage on her own due to her dependency upon human care. The Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue Center is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded animals.  Since January 2015 over 7,000 California sea lions have stranded in what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has deemed an Unusual Mortality Event or UME.  This refers a mass stranding of any marine mammal.  This UME has required an immedciate and continued response from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center who rescued close to 600 in 2015 alone, the most in their history!  This increase is due to a variety of challenges affecting our world's oceans from pollution, global climate change, overfishing and more!  In an effort to conserve these species, rescue and rehabilitation centers play a critical role in saving a variety of animals.  While these efforts have contributed greatly to saving emaciated animals, not every individual is deemed releasable. This is when accredited zoological institutions are asked to step in.  Accredited facilities like Ocean Connections are called upon to provide a forever home for animals that are unable to survive out in the wild.  We welcomed the opporutnity to give this pup a second chance at life.  In August 2017, the Ocean Connections animal care team welcomed this California sea lion to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the help of multiple accredited zoological organizations and FedEx®.  Our collaboration is rooted in our joint efforts in working diligently to save species worldwide.  Ocean Connections is tremendously grateful for the assistance from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Alaska SeaLife Center, Milwaukee County Zoo, and FedEx® without whom this rescue would not be possible.  FedEx® even graciously sponsored Moana!  Transporting a sea lion is no easy task but FedEx®'s support is assisting in ensuring that her arrival is a happy homecoming for all parties involved.  We are please to say that she continues to grow and is extremely healthy but our efforts do not stop here. Moana’s case is not unique and scientists have been researching why a mass stranding of this particular marine mammal is occurring.  Pollution, global climate change, and overfishing are just a few of the challenges these animals are facing.  Domoic Acid Poisoning is affecting numerous species and is a major cause of their population decline.  Domoic Acid is a naturally occurring biotoxin that does not present danger in small quantities.  However this neurotoxin is produced by harmful algae blooms and in the last 20 years we have seen an alarming increase in its presence in our world oceans.  These blooms are consumed by fish which are then consumed by various animals.  Seabirds, pinnipeds, and even humans are being affected once they digest too many contaminated fish.  California sea lions are the pinniped most being affected by this toxin due to their food sources and foraging range which is making their future questionable. There's good news, though!  By sharing Moana's story we can spread the word of the challenges animals just like her are facing out in the wild.  We can work together with our friends, families, and communities to do simple tasks like recycling and reducing the amount of energy we use.  When you visit accredited zoological institutions like Ocean Connections you are making a difference for the many species that call us home.  Help us help them.  If you would like to contribute to our conservation efforts and Moana's second chance you can do so by clicking here.  For updates on Moana's progress visit her page or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and add us on Snapchat using the username oceansoffun! Photos courtesy of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center  

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!

  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.

Want to look great and support conservation at the same time? Get your Saving Species Mask today! These two-ply cloth masks are made of moisture wicking polyester/spandex performance fabric and contain an adjustable nose piece to form fit. Perfect for the animal lover in your life! Get yours today by visiting: https://www.oceansoffun.org/store_items/33

Ocean Connections, the registered 501(c)3, non-profit organization that operates Oceans of Fun, has inspired over 200,000 patrons annually and is committed to environment awareness and community engagement in conservation leadership.  Our goals extend beyond our facility into the community through educational opportunities for all ages and abilities, local and global conservation efforts, and research projects aimed at saving species worldwide.  We are eagerly planning for the future and partnership is integral key in our success.  Leading the way in conservation awareness and action is an extraordinary feat which can only be achieved with your continued support.  From hosting private corporate shows to individual interactive packages to supporting our various events throughout the year, we have customizable packages for your sponsorship investment to thank you for your support! Your contribution will assist with: Animals & Animal Care  - We pride ourselves on providing exceptional animal welfare to the seals and sea lions that call us home.  From cooperative medical training and world reknown veterinary care to ensuring a meticulously balanced, healthy diet and environment for all of our flippered friends, we ensure that all of our animals receive the best possible care. Conservation - Our mission is to touch the hearts of others and inspire them to engage in conservation efforts.  Our Saving Species initiative features local and global conservation projects geared toward protecting animals and habitats worldwide. Educational Opportunities - Whether it's through our daily presentations, interactive opportunities, or outreach programs, we love encouraging others to take action in protecting our environment as we raise awareness about the challenges marine life is facing.  We offer a variety of programs that bring guests up close and personal with our animal ambassadors in hopes to foster understanding for these incredible animals.  It is our hope to promote the mantra of Baba Dioum: "In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught" and pass on the love for our planet to the conservation leaders of tomorrow. Providing Forever Homes - Ocean Connections and Ocean Connections are proud to be in partnership with stranding centers along the coastlines.  In our history, we have provided forever homes for eight rescued animals that otherwise would not have survived in the wild.  These members of our family serve as amazing ambassadors helping to raise awareness of the struggles their species are facing. 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 the 2020 Turn the Tide Gala contact Karen Wilkey at karen@oceanconnections.com or (262) 442-5144.   All sponsors receive acknowledgement on social media, listing or logo in the Turn the Tide program, and on the Ocean Connections website. Sponsor Levels: Saving Sea Lions = $10,000 ($8,914 tax deduction) Event Experience and Recognition: Exclusive Presenting Sponsor 8 - VIP Experience Turn the Tide Gala tickets One-of-a-Kind Private Interactive Event: 1/2 hour before VIP event to meet & greet our exotic animal ambassadors and have a unique photo opportunity with our cheetah animal ambassador Opportunity for your company banner or sign to be predominately displayed at the entrance to Turn the Tide Gala Your company name, logo and recognition on our website, Event Program, social media (including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), event’s electronic media presentation and any reference to Turn the Tide Gala Your company's logo will be featured on the Gala’s Reusable Bag giveaway to all VIP attendees 8 VIP tickets to the Milwaukee County Zoo, including parking, and to Ocean Connections Sea Lion Show where your company will be recognized and thanked for your support along with a private interaction to meet & greet our sea lions Sea Lion Party Favors – 8 unique Sea Lion painted champagne glasses with a bottle of bubbly! Refuge for Rescues = $5,000  ($4,700 tax deduction)  Event Experience & Recognition: 4 - VIP Experience Turn the Tide Gala tickets One-of-a-Kind Private Interactive Event: 1/2 hour before VIP event to meet & greet our exotic animal ambassadors and have a unique photo opportunity with our cheetah animal ambassador Your company name, logo and recognition on our website, Event Program, social media (including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), event’s electronic media presentation and any reference to Turn the Tide Gala Your company's logo will be featured on the Gala's Reusable Bag giveaway to all VIP attendees Animal Ambassador Admiral = $2,000  ($2,000 tax deduction)  Sponsor one or our amazing animal ambassadors at the event! Support Spike the Alligator Cheetah Champion Sloth Steward Penguin Protector Event Experience & Recognition: An up-close and personal meet & greet with your amazing sponsored animal complete with a commemorative photo opportunity Your name(s)/company name & logo will appear with that animal during the VIP experience Recognition on the banner at the entrance to the event Recognition in the Event Program Harbor Seal Helpers = $500  ($500 tax deduction) Sponsor one or more more of the critical components of the event! Bar Environmentalist – support our Boat Bar Beverages Chair Conservationist – support the chairs for the presentation Table Preservationist – support the Bistro Tables for dining Conservation Ambassadors – support the company that is traveling with our event animal ambassadors Event Experience & Recognition: Recognition near your sponsored area Recognition in the Event Program

  Meet Our Flippered Friends! Get ready for an up-close and personal experience with one of the amazing animal ambassadors of Ocean Connections. Participants in 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! Learn more or register today by clicking here.

Latest News

.photoslider_main img {border: #93e4ff 10px solid; } .photoslider_thumb {border: #93e4ff 5px solid; } Aqua Kids visit Ocean Connections! Aqua Kids is an award-winning children's program dedicated to educating young people about the importance of protecting marine environments and the animals that live there. Aqua Kids motivates young people to take an active role in preserving aquatic environments and wildlife, by showing how other kids just like them can do the same. This week Aqua kids visited Ocean Connections where we taped an episode on marine mammal care, training and conservation. Everyone involved enjoyed a fantastic day of fun and learning. The episode will air in fall of 2011 - we'll keep you posted as to the date as it becomes available. Here's a look back at our day. < Back to News

2/11/12 It's already been a week since Bumper arrived at Ocean Connections Milwaukee! Having never been anywhere other than the Long Island Aquarium, this week was full of firsts for our new friend! Trainers from Long Island Aquarium accompanied Bumper on this journey assisting in his acclimation this first week. Introducing animals into a new environment requires a great deal of preparation. Bumper had new trainers to meet, new pools to explore, and new friends to greet through underwater gates. The week has progressed smoothly with daily goals being met. Happily one of those goals was introducing Bumper to Satara. Both were very curious and greeted each other with plenty of nuzzling and circling. The two quickly became fast friends with Bumper proceeding to follow Satara in every direction. We thought you might enjoy a few of photo's of this first introduction....next week goals will include meeting sea lions, which will truly be a first for Bumper!  < Back to Current Events  

.photoslider_main img {border: #93e4ff 10px solid; } .photoslider_thumb {border: #93e4ff 5px solid; } 11/22/11 We wanted to give you a quick catch up on our two new arrivals! Abby and Sonoma have now been at Ocean Connections for six weeks and have successfully integrated into their environment and new pinniped family. Our trainers have been consistently working towards establishing routines and developing strong relationships with our new stars. Both sea lions have responded beautifully and are cooperatively working on training goals which include learning new behaviors and voluntary medical care. They both had a visit from their veterinarian this past week and received a clean bill of health along with their pool mates. Both girls appear to be enjoying their new pinniped pals. On a daily basis Sonoma can be found romping and playing hard with Diego, a 7 years old male. Abby enjoys her days with the other “mature” sea lions by swimming and sunbathing. Regardless of the weather, both of these girls have discovered the spoiling our indoor holding pens offers and can be found nightly snuggled up between Slick and Diego under heat lamps! With winter closing in quickly, we are all anxiously engaged in progressing animal training for our 2012 season.     < Back to Current Events

.photoslider_main img {border: #93e4ff 10px solid; } .photoslider_thumb {border: #93e4ff 5px solid; } 10/11/11 Sonoma and Abby arrived in Milwaukee on October 4, 2011. They are both acclimating to their new home in Milwaukee beautifully and are spending their second week meeting new friends. Our goal this week is to ensure successful interactions between all of the sea lions- and so far it is going perfectly! All animals introductions have been positive with animals choosing to separate and work together in training sessions alongside new friends. It is exciting for all of us to watch as new friendships are becoming established!   < Back to Current Events

.photoslider_main img {border: #93e4ff 10px solid; } .photoslider_thumb {border: #93e4ff 5px solid; } 10/27/11 There is nothing better than beautiful fall weather in the mid-west! We have definitely enjoyed our share of sunshine and warmth this October allowing the trainers and animals at Ocean Connections to make some wonderful progress in acclimating both Sonoma and Abby into their new environment. This past week we have successfully trained both of our new arrivals on shifting between our holding areas and provided each of them positive controlled introductions to their new pool mates. Feeling very confident in the approximations we have made, we decided to open up all the doors yesterday and provide our critters free interaction time in all holding and show areas. Enjoying an afternoon of warm weather and sunshine, Makaia and Geneva chose to sunbath while Sonoma and Abby explored every nook, cranny, bucket and barrel in their new habitat. Sport floated all afternoon enjoying the water and sun. Slick, Scooter and Satara sought out trainers for extra back rubs and love while Diego tried to entice someone into playing with him! The day was a success and we will continue to increase the duration of time the entire group spends together. Our goal is to ensure positive interactions between the animals both in and out of session time . Looks like we are off to a great start!     < Back to Current Events

.photoslider_main img {border: #93e4ff 10px solid; } .photoslider_thumb {border: #93e4ff 5px solid; } 10/20/11 It's been a week of progress for our two new arrivals. Sonoma spent her week learning some training basics including how to target or station for extended periods of time and gating/ shifting between pools. Sounds easy but these two fundamentals are extremely important and will assist her as she progresses with training. Abby came to us already understanding how to gate/ shift and has been successfully integrating out into the main pool for daytime sessions with her new pool mates. We don't just open up the doors and say have fun.....each animal has their own personality and social order, requiring us to take approximations by providing Abby with both controlled sessions and free time with the other animals. As we build up her comfort level by creating positive interactions with her pool mates we will lengthen the time she spends in her new environment during "free time". We are establishing a routine and building a positive social environment for all animals at Ocean Connections.     < Back to Current Events

.photoslider_main img {border: #93e4ff 10px solid; } .photoslider_thumb {border: #93e4ff 5px solid; } New Arrivals... 10/07/11 Ocean Connections works collaboratively with fellow Zoos and Aquariums in establishing breeding loans to diversify genetics within populations and ensure success in future generations. Our most recent collaboration unites the Chicago Zoological Society and Ocean Connections as two new california sea lions have recently joined our collection. Meet Abby and Sonoma our newest family members! Abby is a 24 year old female california sea lion who will win your heart over in less than 30 seconds! This beautiful animal is highly inquisitive and was ready to meet her new pool mates and trainers immediately. Abby never skipped a beat, entering her new environment she was immediately ready for a training session and plenty of love! She immediately greeted her new pool mates (through a fence line) and settled in enjoying the warm Wisconsin sunshine all afternoon. If you've been around Ocean Connections for a few years, you may remember Sonoma! Born right here 11 years ago, we've brought this little lady home! Geneva spent a few years down at Riverbanks Zoo in North Carolina and two years ago made her way to the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. Unfortunately she has not bred yet and we're all hoping that we may improve the odds here in Milwaukee. As Sonoma has a tendency to be a bit nervous in new, unfamiliar surroundings, we all prepared and expected her to struggle a bit with this relocation. Wonderfully, we were all in for a delightful surprise! We certainly don't know if she remembers her "home" but showing absolutely No signs of stress, Sonoma is relaxed, playful and even snuggled into her old sleeping area to get a great first night of sleep back in Milwaukee. Trainers from both facilities are impressed and excited over her response to coming home! The first step in acclimating animals into a new environment is to ensure their health and comfort. We want to ensure that all of our animals are healthy, eating well, engaging in sessions and getting a good night sleep. While Sonoma and Abby are provided visual access to their new pool mates, we won't actually formally introduce them for a couple of days to provide our new arrivals a chance to settle in. Currently there is plenty of greetings and nuzzling occurring through the fence lines as all of our animals introduce themselves. As part of our preparation, training staff's from both facilities (Ocean Connections and The Chicago Zoological Society) have spent considerable time working together both prior to arrival and currently to ensure that the animals acclimate smoothly into their new environment and routine. Wonderfully our initial goals are all being met as both Abby and Sonoma are doing beautifully! < Back to Current Events