Spring 2012 member magazine of the aquarium of the pacific MEET OUR NEW PENGUINS Focus on Sustainability LLES A V A ANITZ A EITSM EXPLORE THE R URBAN OCEAN THIS SUMMER ANDREW This summer the Aquarium will again highlight Southern California’s urban ocean through a festival, cruises, and the chance for public input on the future of the urban ocean. OUTHERN CALIFORNIA has one of the most distinctive The public will have the opportunity to contribute input on the stretches of coast and ocean. In this region, industry, future of the urban ocean for an upcoming Aquatic Forum that S recreation, and wildlife all coexist in relative harmony in a the Aquarium will host in July. Aquarium President and CEO Jerry delicate and dynamic balance. Through proper manage- Schubel and Dr. James Fawcett, professor of public policy at the ment we can have rich and productive coastal and ocean ecosystems University of Southern California, will be leading a discussion and accommodate additional uses by humans that will provide good among ocean experts, policymakers, and a diverse group of stake- jobs and benefit the economy. One powerful tool for accomplishing holders to develop potential scenarios for the Southern California this is called coastal and marine spatial planning, which allocates urban ocean in the year 2050. These scenarios will be based on human uses to spaces that minimize conflict with marine life. the interplay of various actions by humans with changes in the California has the scientific expertise and the ocean ethic that could oceanography of the Southern California Bight, which extends create a model for urban oceans around the world. from Santa Barbara to Baja California, Mexico. Predetermined In celebration of this unique region, the Aquarium’s third annual factors like estimated rates of population growth and sea level Urban Ocean Festival will be held May 5 and 6 from 9:00 a.m. to rise will be taken into account, as will driving forces like climate 5:00 p.m. each day. Visitors will learn more about the marine life change, environmentalism, and the economy. The forum will also and human uses of the Southern California urban ocean. The festival examine the critical uncertainties, like decisions made by govern- will feature prize-winning urban ocean art and poetry, live music, live ment, that would affect the ocean and its use by humans. Public painting demonstrations, and the second annual Trashin’ Fashion input will be gathered via the Aquarium’s Twitter account and show and contest featuring clothing made from recycled materials Facebook page and incorporated in the forum. To provide your often found along our coastline and on our beaches. input, follow us on Twitter (@AquariumPacific) and Facebook During the festival visitors can participate in painting a mural on (www.facebook.com/aquariumofthepacific). Look for the call for the front plaza. Inside the Aquarium, visitors can look for special public input in May and June. signs highlighting animals and exhibits that relate to urban ocean habitats. The Aquarium’s Seafood for the Future team will conduct THE URBAN OCEAN: WORLD PORT cooking demonstrations and pass out samples of sustainable seafood. AND SEALIFE CRUISE Activities for children include crafts and games. MAY 6, JUNE 16, JULY 14, AuGust 11, SEPT. 1 The festival kicks off the Aquarium’s series of Urban Ocean 4:00 P.M.–6:30 P.M. Cruises, which tour portions of the port complex, allowing passengers Join us on a double-decker yacht as we explore one of the most glimpses of maritime and railyard shipping operations, oil islands, and distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders other commercial activity as well as the marine mammals, seabirds, of the Southern California urban ocean. and other wildlife that make their homes in the Long Beach urban ocean. The first cruise sets sail on Sunday, May 6 at 4:00 p.m. A COST | Members: $26.95/adult, $8.95/child. Non-members: $39.94/adult, special Urban Ocean Poetry Cruise will set sail on Saturday, May 5 at $15/child (includes Aquarium admission) 4:00 p.m. RSVP | (562) 590-3100, ext. 0 2 | Pacific Currents | spring 2012 Table of Contents IN THIS ISSUE LETTER FROM THE CEO 4 Animal Updates | Meet the DEAR MEMBERS, 4 Magellanic Penguins! Learn how to tell one penguin from another and what makes each member of our flock unique. AM VERY PLEASED to announce the opening of a new permanent exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific: the 6 Penguins—From South America I June Keyes Penguin Habitat. More to the South Pole | Penguins are than a dozen Magellanic Penguins will make found on four continents in the Southern their home in this exhibit, giving us the Hemisphere and live in regions that range opportunity to share their stories with the public and help 6 from the cold and icy Antarctic to the dispel some of the misconceptions about penguins. warm and temperate shores of South One of those misconceptions is that all penguins live on ice Africa and the Galápagos Islands. and snow in Antarctica. In fact, most of the world’s penguins never see ice and snow. Ten out of the seventeen penguin 23 New Ocean Science Center species actually live in temperate regions, like our Magellanic Show | This new show on view begin- Penguins, which are native to South America. You can read ning in July connects marine ecosystems more about the range and variety of the world’s penguin spe- 23 and fisheries issues to animal and human cies on page 6. health. The group of penguins that will live in our new exhibit came to us from several different places. Some were born and raised in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and 27 Protecting Penguins | Most Aquariums as part of their Species Survival Program (SSP). penguin populations are under threat Others were rescued from the coast of Brazil, where they were from human activity, which is negatively stranded outside their normal range. The Aquarium plans to impacting their habitats and health. create a breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins to maximize 27 genetic diversity of populations of penguins in the SSP. The penguins from Brazil are especially valuable to the program because, as wild birds, they will increase the genetic diversity 2 Focus on Sustainability 19 Donor Highlights of Magellanic Penguins in zoos and aquariums. The SSP is coordinated and monitored to track the penguin gene pool to 3 Letter from the CEO 20 Kids Corner ensure genetic diversity, and thus, a healthy population. Our 10 Aquarium Programs & Events 24 Fundraising Highlights penguins have started pairing up, preening each other and selecting mates, so we are hopeful that successful breeding 18 New Aquarium Webcams 25 Aquarium Accolades will take place in the coming years. It is also our aim to educate our visitors about the threats penguins face in the wild. Penguins are well adapted to survive and thrive in their environments. But their environments PacIFIC CURRENts is published for members of the PHONE NUMBERS (562 area code) are experiencing rapid changes. Overfishing, habitat loss, Aquarium of the Pacific. If you have comments about General Information ........590-3100 ocean pollution, and climate change are all having impacts this magazine, please send an email to our editorial FAX .......................................951-1629 on penguin populations around the world. Will we be able to staff at [email protected]. Membership ......................437-FISH (3474) slow these changes in time? If we act now, we can make great OUR MISSION | To instill a sense of wonder, Development ....................951-1605 strides toward protecting penguins and their habitats. respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its Pacific Circle ......................951-1664 I hope you will join us for special member previews of the inhabitants, and ecosystems. Lost & Found .....................951-1733 new exhibit on May 14, 15, and 16. The exhibit opens to the Private Event Info ............951-1663 public on May 17, and we have added to our offerings early PacIFIC CURRENts StaFF | Editor/Writer: Claire Education Programs .......951-1630 morning hours for members, as well as penguin encounters, Atkinson | Copy Editor: Cecile Fisher | Designer: Gift Store ............................951-1SEA (1732) so you will have several opportunities to see these charismatic Andrew Reitsma | Contributing Writers: Raelene Job Hotline .........................951-1674 birds up close. Please join us in welcoming the Magellanic Bautista, Theresa Duncan, Heather George, and Volunteer Hotline.............951-1659 Penguins to their new home. Lindsay Yates Advanced Ticket Sales ...590-3100, ext. 0 (Note: $2 service charge per ticket, up to $10.) Thank you for your ongoing support. HOURS | Open daily from 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. except Group Reservations ........951-1695 Dec. 25 and during the Grand Prix of Long Beach Sincerely, CORRECTION MEMBERSHIP OFFICE HOURS It was incorrectly stated in the last issue that the 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily Aquarium’s American Kestrel is being trained for free- flight demonstrations. Other birds in the Aquarium’s collection are undergoing this training. The Aquarium of the Pacific Jerry R. Schubel is a non-profit 501(c)3 COVER: ANDREW REITSMA institution. To provide exciting and innovative exhibits and educational programs, we rely heavily on the generous donations of individuals, foundations, and corporations. Aquarium Founding Sponsor spring 2012 | Pacific Currents | 3 Animal Updates MEET THE MAGELLANIC PENGUINS! While it’s difficult to distinguish one Magellanic Penguin from another, Aquarium visitors will be able to tell who’s who by looking at the penguins’ color-coded and name-labeled ID tags on their wings. Avery “The Teenager” Roxy "The Independent One" Hometown Niteroi, Brazil Hometown Niteroi, Brazil ID tag white/white/black ID tag white/white/orange HERE YOU CAN READ ABOUT the various personalities and behav- Avery is a very mellow, mild-mannered, young Roxy is a younger female penguin and she likes to iors that are becoming apparent male penguin, but he does have one thing he’s be first, especially when it comes to feeding time.