California’s iconic southern sea otters are among the most charismatic creatures in the wild – and they need our help! On September 21 and 22, the Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrates these engaging animals during “Otter Days,” a weekend full of special events and activities that promises to be fun and educational for the whole family.
Visitors to “Otter Days” can connect with the aquarium’s resident sea otters, participate in an otter-themed game show, or volunteer to be “transformed” into a sea otter and learn everything an otter needs to survive in the ocean. With sea otter tracking on the Great Tide Pool deck, a family craft room and otter-themed presentations in the Auditorium, the weekend’s activities appeal to otter fans of all ages.
In addition to these fun activities, visitors will learn about efforts to save California’s threatened southern sea otter population. California sea otters easily capture human hearts with their cute countenance and energetic, entertaining behavior. But it’s their threatened status in the wild and uncertain future that makes the story of sea otters’ survival even more compelling.
“Otter Days” is an opportunity to get closer to these incredible animals and learn what people can do to help them thrive in the wild.
“Otter Days” programs and activities include:
Sea Otter Tracking: Join sea otter trackers for some otter spotting, and a chance to get your otter questions answered. Throughout the day, Saturday and Sunday on the Great Tide Pool Deck.
Sea Otter Enrichment Text Messages: Get the inside scoop to catch fun activities at the Sea Otter exhibit by texting the word “Feeding” to 56512 to find out when the otters or any other animals have something special happening.
“Luna: A Sea Otter’s Story”: Prepare to fall in love as you follow a single sea otter’s journey – from stranding as an orphaned pup to rescue, care and release by aquarium staff. 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Auditorium.
“Meet an Otter Trainer”: Talk to the staff that cares for and trains the sea otters on exhibit.11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Sea Otter exhibit.
“Otter Dress-Up”: A family program in which a volunteer from the audience is transformed into an otter – complete with everything an otter needs to survive in the ocean. 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the Great Tide Pool Deck.
“You Otter Know” Game Show: A lively program in a game-show style format that challenges three contestants from the audience to prove who knows the most about otters. Have fun, win prizes and learn how to protect sea otters in the wild. 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Discovery Lab.
Family Craft Room: Get creative in the family craft room, creating an Ollie the Otter paper bag puppet. Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Discovery Lab.
“Otter Days” activities are included with aquarium admission: $34.95 for adults, $31.95 for seniors (over 65) and students (13-17, college ID), $21.95 for children 3-12.Children under 3 are free. Book advance tickets online at www.montereybayaquarium.org or by calling 831-647-6886. The aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row in Monterey. Hours for “Otter Days” are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The aquarium’s “Otter Days” celebration kicks off the tenth annual “Sea Otter Awareness Week” which runs September 22 – September 28. Visit the aquarium’s web site for more information about “Otter Days,” the aquarium’s sea otter live web cam, and the Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation program.
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.