Since 1984 the Monterey Bay Aquarium has done fantastic marine education and
research. I would venture that it is THE leading aquarium in the United States, if not the world. The former site of a sardine cannery now hosts almost 2 million visitors a year.
While the exhibits themselves are incredible, the work its staff does on the marine biology and research fronts are even more valuable. Its research institute (
MBARI) in nearby Moss Landing is leading to charge to develop policies that can ameliorate the degradation of our world’s oceans.
Today the aquarium was on its way rescuing a sea otter in
Aptos beach. The poor creature looked injured
(click picture above left to expand), and a local marine research staffer has cordoned off the area while she waited for help that was on the way. The sea otter was blowing bubbles into its fur to keep its warm as sea otters do not have a layer of blubber. That was a good sign. We were nervous that the otter would not make it, but its activity was a good sign. I poached a picture of a sea otter from another site to give you an idea of what it looks like, as I did not want to get too close--it looked as if it were suffering enough.
We hope to have good news soon! Sadly, nearby was a dead sea lion that did not make it.
sea otter up close (from Wikipedia)
injured sea otter in Aptos, waiting for help
injured Aptos sea otter from a distance
dead sea lion nearby the injured sea otter
