"Keeper Talks" Bring Out Secrets at Oregon Coast Aquarium

Just how do you brush the teeth of a 500-pound sea lion? What do you mean you have to wash the windows "underwater"? How do you move 900,000 gallons of seawater a day? The answers to these and other questions are part of "Keeper Talks" at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport Oregon (USA).

NEWPORT, Ore USA -- Everything you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask, about how to run a world-class aquarium is available at the Oregon Coast Aquarium during scheduled "Keeper Talks." Visitors hear from members of the Aquarium staff who provide the inside scoop on topics ranging from the care and feeding of 15,000 marine creatures and secrets to keeping the Aquarium windows clean.

"Keeper Talks" cover topics and interest areas on a rotating schedule during weekends, most holidays and during winter breaks:

"Beaks, Boots and Buckets" - Learn how we care for, feed and know the difference between more than 100 individual birds, and how to treat a puffin with a cold.

"Beneath the Surface" - Listen to our underwater staff as they share the secrets of handling sharks and rays as well as keeping the acrylic tunnel clean in the Passages of the Deep exhibit.

"Gelatinous Gems" - Are jellyfish really full of jelly? Do all jellies sting? What does a baby jelly look like? Get your answers to these questions and more from the staff caring for our jellyfish and the other animals in Enchanted Seas.

"We Caught a Fish this Big-And It Didn't Get Away!" - Aquarist staff share the secrets of collecting the fish and other marine creatures on display here.

"The Appeal of Seals (and Sea Lions, Too)!" - The mammal staff shows you how to brush a seal's teeth and how to get a 500-pound sea lion to go where you want him to go.

"Sea Otter Secrets" - Find out which of our fuzzy, furry otters was hand-raised, which one was a boat-hopper and which one kept trying to catch a plane.

"Water, Water Everywhere" - Aquarium life support technicians show you how we move 900,000 gallons of Pacific Ocean a day, clean it, chill it, use it and return it back to the sea, cleaner than when it arrived.

"Meet the Real Mr.-and Mrs.-Clean" - Hear how Passages of the Deep divers scrub with the sharks and vacuum with the wolf-eels.

Oregon Coast Aquarium "Keeper Talks" are included in the price of admission and are held in the Qwest Theater at 11:00 a.m. on scheduled days.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a private, nonprofit educational facility offering people a fun way to understand Oregon's unique coastal resources so that they and future generations will cherish and conserve them. The facility is designed to be accessible to learners of all ages, ability levels and learning styles. In addition to its public exhibit areas, the Aquarium serves nearly 50,000 schoolchildren annually, opening doors to new interests and introducing science in a meaningful way.

Oregon Coast Aquarium admission is $10.75 for adults, $9.50 for seniors (65+), and $6.50 for youth (4-13); children three and under are free. Advance tickets can be purchased on-line at www.aquarium.org. Group rates and private parties are available. The Aquarium is open every day except December 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. up to Memorial Day weekend.
For additional information about the Oregon Coast Aquarium, surf www.aquarium.org or call 1-541-867-FISH.

# # #

Editors' & producers' note: The Oregon Coast Aquarium has an extensive library of digital images and color slides of the 15,000 marine animals in its care; special events and activities; and working shots of the staff and visitors. Merely let us know your image needs and we'll provide them to you. Thank you!

Contact:
Guy DiTorrice, Public Relations Officer
Telephone: 541-867-3474, ext. 5224
E-mail: guyd@aquarium.org
Web site: http://www.aquarium.org/