Behind the Scenes Tour at the Sealife Center

  Today was a day off for me.  As an intern trip they were sending us to the Sealife Center in Seward.  Yesterday, 2 interns from the rehabilitation branch at the sealife center came to spend a day with us. 
We first took a behind the scenes tour about the history of the sealife center.  Next, we met up with the interns from yesterday to help them with a few chores.  They also introduced us to the harbor seals that are currently in rehabilitation.  This year's theme for names is wines and cheeses.  The first seal that we met was named "Port". 

Port was not feeling very well today. They had him separated from the normal group, and put in quarantine.  We had to take his temperature, feed him, and try to get his temperature up by adding water to his tank.  By the end of the day his temperature had risen to almost a normal temperature.  They will be watching him closely for a while. 

We went outside and met the other seals.  They called this big pool the graduation pool.  Once, the seals are big enough and they are eating fish on their own; they are moved to the graduation pool.  










I think  this seal is Brie.  There were 3 seals in the graduation pool so it made it hard to tell them apart.  The other names for all the seals in rehabilitation are:  Parmesean, Gouda, Merlot, Pepper Jack, and Bleu. 

After we met the seals we needed to take their measurements.  One of us would hold the seal while the other measured their nose to flipper, around their upper torso, mid torso, and back torso.  We did this for 4 seals.  We also had to wear gloves and overalls.  This was for the quarantine part.  They are so young and vulnerable to illness; they take special precautions when handling.  Also, because the seals need to be released they must not have ANY human contact.  These measurements are the ONLY time a seal is handled.  Even when feeding they try not to let the seals associate feeding with humans. 

We helped with the cleaning of the condos.  They call them condos since each has their own pool and resting area in front.

It was lunch time! 

 We were each handed a container with fish for a specified seal.  We would throw the fish in each enclosure and make sure they were all eaten.  Don't worry.....it wasn't lunch time for me..... yet.

Sarah and Scott are 2 other interns at the AWCC that went to the sealife center with me. 

I also got to help weigh a duck!  They have 2 ducklings in rehabilitation right now.  Both were brought in from 2 seperate people that found them and couldn't raise them. 

On the way home I wanted to stop and take some pictures in the Fireweed.  Every time I would pass by the fireweed it reminded me of back home in the Texas bluebonnets.  This fireweed is only going to last a few more weeks.  Once the fireweed starts dying it means winter is only 6 weeks away!

It was about 9 pm when we finally made it home.  I suppose I should get some sleep now.  I have a long day at work tomorrow and have a list of things to do. 

Goodnight lower 48,

ErIn