From pets to eco-threats

See you later alligator! Finding alligators in the Chicago River is interesting, but it’s also dangerous for the animals and for our ecosystems on many levels.

The two non-native reptiles recently sighted in the North Branch of the Chicago River—and now rescued—most likely weren’t émigrés from southern swamps. Instead, sadly, they were probably pets that had become a problem and were dumped.

Handle with nonconductive gloves

Electric eels (South American knifefish, Electrophorus electricus) can grow to 6 feet long, are coated in slippery slime, breathe air through their mouths and have electric organs over three-quarters of their bodies capable of delivering a 600-volt jolt to anything—or anyone—that threatens them.

Michigan Oil Spill Update

Dr. Ilze Berzins, Executive VP of Animal Health and Conservation Education at Shedd, discussing effects on wildlife from current oil spills in both the Gulf and in Michigan on MyFox Chicago.

August birthdays at Shedd

Cetaceans celebrating birthdays in August include four beluga whales and one Pacific white-sided dolphin. That’s one big splash party in Whale Harbor!

Beginning with the most august of Shedd’s whales, our big male, Naluark, turns 24. At least that’s our best estimate. He was 10½ feet long and about 1,000 pounds—within range for a 6-year-old—when he came to Shedd in 1992. To give you an idea of how belugas bulk up as they grow, he now carries more than a ton on a 13-foot frame. But he carries it well, with rippling horizontal "rails" of blubber along his length. Naluark, who frequently appears in Fantasea, is easily recognizable by his snowy white skin. He sired Bella, Miki and the newest calf, Nunavik.

The oil spill in Michigan

As cleanup and wildlife rescue efforts continue for what is being called the worst oil spill in the Midwest’s history, many of you have asked us for advice on how to get involved. Our great partners in Michigan are already working hard to mitigate damage to the surrounding ecosystem before oil spreads to Lake Michigan. While Shedd Aquarium is assessing how to best support our partners with our resources and animal-handling expertise, we encourage anyone in the Kalamazoo area to follow the recommendations of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at this time.

Remembering John G. Shedd on his birthday

His name is chiseled in stone over the entrance to the aquarium. But who was John Graves Shedd? According to his boss, department store founder Marshall Field, Shedd was "the greatest merchant in the United States." He was also, as we know, a magnanimous philanthropist, donating
$3 million to build the world’s finest aquarium in his adopted city of Chicago. John G. Shedd was born 160 years ago today. Although he came from humble beginnings, he always aimed high.

Jazzin’ Plus: What you’ll only see during Jazzin’ at the Shedd

If you can tear yourself away from the balmy breezes on the terrace, the skyline at sunset and the jazz for a while, and stroll over to Amazon Rising, you’ll see Shedd’s immersive floodplain forest exhibit in a new light.

Moonlight.

Beluga birthdays in July

Time to send a shout-out to beluga whale Bella, who turns 4 on Saturday. This playful girl is so interactive that she just might send a high-pitched squeal back! She’s one of three Shedd whales whose birthdays we’re observing in July.

Shedd in the Gulf

Ken Ramirez, Executive VP of Animal Collections and Training, discussing Shedd's involvment in Gulf wildlife rescue efforts on FOX Chicago.



Read more about Shedd's involvment in the Gulf wildlife rescue.

Posted by Joe Kantor, web editor

Shedd in the Gulf

As a respected leader in the field of animal care and environmental conservation, Shedd Aquarium is lending its experience and expertise to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill rescue and rehabilitation efforts. In fact, a member of our animal health division, vet tech Mayela Alsina, is in New Orleans now to work with Audubon Institute’s sea turtle and marine mammal rescue and rehab efforts. As the scope of the environmental tragedy has increased, so has the need for help, and Mayela joins other animal care specialists from the area and around the country at the Audubon Aquatic Center, where she will spend the next two weeks. Currently the center is caring for 106 sea turtles, 101 of them directly affected by the undersea oil well blow out that continues to pollute the Gulf.