Aquarium of the Podcific

We know we've been gone for so long, but it's for a good reason! Catch up on all of the amazing conservation the Aquarium has done this year with Johanna Hultberg, Conservation Manager of Fish & Invertebrates.Episode resources:TranscriptFollow @podcific on Instagram!Email us at podcific@lbaop.orgTidewater gobies news storyLearn more about the Aquarium's conservation efforts on our website

Today's episode features Robin Riggs, a charter volunteer and photographer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Robin, who has been volunteering since before the Aquarium opened, captures stunning images of our animals. She discusses her transition from film to digital photography, the challenges of photographing animals in various exhibits, and the importance of animal welfare.  Episode resources: Follow @podcific on Instagram! Transcript 25th Anniversary Staff Photo Contest Winners Photographers Night (join us every October!)

Documentary Filmmaker Chris Stanford joins us to discuss his film, "Love and Life Beyond the Glass". The film showcases the relationship between staff and sea lions and plays daily in the Aquarium's Honda Pacific Visions Theater.   “This film shows what we do here at the Aquarium… Our staff and animals are the heart and soul of this place,” said Dr. Peter Kareiva, Aquarium of the Pacific president and CEO.   Episode resources: Follow @podcific on Instagram! Transcript "Love & Life Beyond the Glass" Info Trailer Sea Turtle Release Commercial Loggerhead Release  

Dr. Lance Adams, Director of Veterinary Services at the Aquarium of the Pacific, discusses his 20+ year tenure and the diverse responsibilities of his role, including preventative care, quarantine, and managing over 12,000 animals. Episode resources: Follow @podcific on Instagram! Transcript Hyperbaric chamber video Veterinary Assistant Internship Veterinary Externship - Preceptorship Program Crab prosthetic story Donate to help us save sea turtles!

The Aquarium’s CELP (Community, Equity, Learning, Persistence) Scholar Program seeks to broaden participation in marine sciences, help more students find their own community in STEM, and support students’ persistence in the field. This episode features Alie LeBeau, our Director of STEM Pathway Initiatives, and Leslie Nguyen, an Animal Care Specialist. Both Alie and Leslie are integral parts of the development of this scholarship and share more information on the program.   To learn more about our CELP Scholar Program, please visit pacific.to/celp   The Aquarium believes everyone is welcome in the work we do and strives to cultivate a workforce that reflects the diverse communities in which it is situated. Applicants of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status are welcome.   Additional resources: CELP Scholar Informational Webinar 2024 2024 Scholar Symposium – CELP Scholar Lightning Talks Support the CELP Scholar Program   Episode Transcript

Happy Halloween! In this episode, Aquarium staff tell spooky stories of situations that can and can't be explained.   Episode Transcript

Did you know our crabs get burped? Now you do! It's time to burp the crabs and also listen to Aquarist Melissa talk about the Aquarium's spider crabs. Thank you for another fun season of Aquarium of the Podcific! Follow @podcific on Instagram for updates and more. We'll sea you soon! Episode transcript

Aviculturist Ashley is back to update us on the latest shenanigans of the Aquarium's bird residents in a series we like to call "The Young and the Nestless".   This is a "Low Tide" episode! It's more relaxed, shorter, and maybe even a little sillier than normal. Enjoy!   Episode Transcript

We are often asked how to start a career in animal care, and today we are giving insight into traditional and non-traditional pathways to working in this amazing field. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot of hard but rewarding work. Brett Long, Senior Director of Birds/Amphibians/Mammals, joins us to share advice and stories from his decades-long career in animal care and husbandry.    Episode Transcript

BORK! It's time to learn about sea lions! Mammalogist Erin Bell joins us today to talk to us about these majestic and sometimes (usually) silly animals. To report a live marine mammal in need, call the Marine Mammal Care Center’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE. (1-800-399-4253) TikTok: Who is the loudest sea lion? Seals & Sea Lions Animal Encounters at the Aquarium of the Pacific Episode Transcript

Enrichment is the word of the week! We are joined by two animal enrichment experts, Alex Lasser-Gold and Alex Bohardt, aka Mammal Alex and Fish Alex. Lasser-Gold (Mammal Alex) is a Mammalogist II and Enrichment Coordinator, and Bohardt (Fish Alex) is our Manager of Aquatic Sustainability. Both have extensive knowledge of enrichment for animals that live above water, below water, and those that spend time in between.   Episode Transcript

Everyone is talking about axolotls, but what exactly are these fascinating animals, and how do we care for them? We are joined by Animal Care Specialist America Sahagun who cares for our axolotl squad at the Aquarium to discuss these "water dogs" We also discuss our newest exhibit, FROGS: Facing a Changing World, which is open now! Episode Transcript

Are they animals? Are they plants? What exactly are corals and why are they important? Aquarist Jay takes us to coral school and discusses his role in coral conservation. Episode Transcript  Relevant links: Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities Helping to Restore a Coral Reef in Saipan  

Today's episode is all about the Aquarium's Ambassador Birds! These animals live behind the scenes and come out for presentations like Birds Shorts, which happen daily in our Honda Pacific Visions Theater. We are joined by Aviculturist Heather who teaches us about the different types of birds she cares for, their stories, and helps us interview our first non-human guest. Episode Transcript  

On today's episode, we are joined by Environmental Services Supervisor Keisha Leonard to learn all about how her and her team keep the Aquarium squeaky clean. Keisha has been a part of our Aquarium for almost 20 years and shares some of her favorite memories along the way. Episode Transcript

Welcome back to Aquarium of the Podcific! We are off to a ray-ly good start this season with Aquarist Sarah Nevarez. Sarah talks about her experience caring for the aquarium's rays, their behaviors, feeding, enrichment activities, and personalities.  Episode Transcript

We're *almost* back for another season of Aquarium of the Podcific! Our ten-episode season begins rolling out on April 30, 2024. This season covers animals like stingrays, axolotls, birds, and more! Plus, you'll get an in-depth look into Aquarium operations, veterinary care, and conservation programs. Sea you April 30th! Click here for transcript

This week we talk to Podcific's own Erin Lundy all about the mountain yellow-legged frog! Leaping into conservation efforts to aid in the recovery of this species, the Aquarium of the Pacific built a lab space to care for these critically endangered amphibians native to California’s mountain regions. Episode Transcript Learn more about the Aquarium's mountain yellow-legged frog conservation efforts on our website.

What does it take to maintain a world-class Aquarium? World-class teams! Today on Aquarium of the Podcific, we are joined by Mike Davis and Reed Edwards to discuss the duties of their respective teams and what it was like building the new exhibits inside our reimagined Southern California Gallery.   Episode Transcript   The reimagined Southern California Gallery is now open!

  It's an octopus double feature! This week we have Aquarium of the Pacific's own Brooke Hernandez talking to us about her experience caring for the giant Pacific octopus, and Octonation founder Warren Carlyle discussing his work in creating the world's largest octopus fan club. TikToks: Diving with an octopus Octopus habitat Episode Transcript Links: Learn about sustainable seafood Volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific Octonation - The Largest Octopus Fan Club! Watch Octonation x AOP's Interview with an Octopus