At Aquarium of the Pacific, guests step into a world of discovery and exploration. Representing nearly 500 species with more than 11,000 inhabitants of our planet’s largest ocean, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a destination for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the animals, habitats, and issues surrounding our oceans.

Something very exciting and unusual has occurred at the Aquarium, and you have a chance to share it. Go behind-the-scenes and meet Ollie, a rescued sea otter pup who was stranded and rescued off Santa Cruz this past fall. At the time she was rescued, the three-month-old orphaned otter weighed just five pounds.

Because Ollie had lost her mother and did not have a chance to learn survival skills, wildlife officials determined she was unable to take care of herself in the wild. Ollie was transferred to SORAC (Sea Otter Research and Conservation Center) in Northern California for temporary care until a permanent home could be found. The Aquarium of the Pacific offered to help, and Ollie made her way to Southern California.

When she arrived at the Aquarium of the Pacific, the otter pup weighed ten pounds. Aquarium staff worked around the clock to care for and feed her every three to four hours. Ollie has been doing well, currently weighing in at 18 pounds, and she is now ready to meet Aquarium guests. You can visit Ollie on a Behind-the-Scenes Tour and watch as she is fed by Aquarium biologists. She should be ready to join the Aquarium’s other sea otters in their exhibit sometime in the fall of 2011. Ollie was named by Grace Suomi, a brave six-year-old girl who loves the Aquarium and is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

A Behind-the-Scenes tour to see Ollie also allows guests to dive deeper into the Aquarium. Adventurers learn the secrets of the aquarium trade, meet new sea animal babies, and even have the opportunity to touch and feed some animals behind-the-scenes. These tours are offered daily, and adventurers must be at least 7 years of age.

The Aquarium takes visitors on a journey through the three main regions of the vast Pacific Ocean – the temperate waters of Southern California and Baja; the icy Northern Pacific, off the coasts of Alaska, Russia, and Japan; and the warm Tropical Pacific, featuring the colorful coral reefs of Palau. Sea lions, sea otters, and diving birds are among the incredible animals found in these expansive galleries, which feature animal-touch Discovery Labs.

Other special exhibits include Lorikeet Forest where guests can feed more than 100 enthusiastic, colorful birds from down under; Shark Lagoon, our nation’s first full-scale shark touch

exhibit where guests will discover more than 200 sharks in this ultimate interactive exhibit; Whales: A Journey with Giants invites guess to follow majestic giant Blue Whales as they travel along California’s coast to the dark depths of the ocean; and the Weedy Sea Dragons, which are native to Australia and resemble the plants found in their local waters. The Aquarium of the Pacific is the first aquarium in the world to successfully breed and raise these delicate creatures.

In addition, the Aquarium offers educational films and special marine-related guest lectures in the Honda Theater. The Learning Center offers a diverse array of programs for children and young adults as well as adult courses through its Aquatic Academy. The Aquarium of the Pacific is a non-profit organization with a mission “to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.”

For more information, including admission and hours, visit aquariumofpacific.org.