Medusas on the move

Look for Pacific sea nettles in the 700-gallon circular display outside the elevators to Wild Reef. The moon jellies that occupied that space, floating in a hypnotic circular flow, have moved to the Icy North section of Polar Play Zone in the Oceanarium. And a good thing.

Oceanarium Reimagined: A Look Back

 
Here's a look back at the renovation of the reimagined Oceanarium. Thanks for supporting Shedd and visit us soon!



Posted by Jay Geneske, web editor

Meet Shedd sea otter Kiana

As the sun began to set on Shoop Bay, near Valdez, Alaska, a group of recreational boaters were pretty sure the tiny, screaming sea otter they’d been keeping an eye on all day had been abandoned by her mother, and they contacted wildlife authorities. The 2-pound pup was taken to the Alaska Sea Life Center and treated for dehydration and low blood sugar. Shortly after that, in late March of 2005, Shedd got a call from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking if we had room for an abandoned sea otter pup. Enter Kiana.

Fantasea at Shedd Aquarium trailer

Check out the official trailer for Fantasea, which debuts Oct. 16 at Shedd!



Posted by Jay Geneske, web editor
 

Tarantula Fish Tacos Recipe

Here's a fun sustainable seafood recipe for the Halloween season. Enjoy!

"Tarantula" Fish Tacos
Makes about 6 spooky tacos.

“Tarantula” fish balls:
• 1 pound boneless catfish, halibut, whitefish, tilapia
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons favorite Cajun or blackened spice mix

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2) In food processor, puree fish and sea salt until just smooth.
3) Using hands, (if kids are involved in this step, they should wear plastic gloves for safety!) roll fish paste into balls about 1-inch thick.
4) Dredge fish balls lightly in spice mix and place on baking pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until fish are cooked through. While fish are baking, prepare the guacamole and sour cream sauce.

Meet Shedd sea otter Mari

Mari and Kiana, Shedd’s youngest otters, came to us as 2- to 3-month-old pups, courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kiana was a real rescue – either abandoned or orphaned – but Mari was most likely doing just fine when a well-meaning kayaker intervened.

Sea otters make the Right Bite

Shedd’s hungry sea otters chomp down 7,000 pounds of shrimp a year. The problem is, serious environmental issues such as habitat destruction and bycatch are associated with shrimp trawling and aquaculture. Bycatch, or unintentional catch, occurs when animals such as sea turtles, large fishes and seabirds become entangled in fishing gear. For every pound of shrimp netted in the wild, up to 10 pounds of unwanted marine life is also caught – and usually drowned or fatally injured.