Why don’t you have hand sanitizing stations? We have amazing filtration systems that can handle organic matter, but the chemicals in sanitizer is very harmful to our residents. PLEASE do not use hand sanitizers!!
Why don’t you have hand washing stations? We have installed handwashing stations! One is in Gallery One, by the moray eel exhibit. The other is in the Shark Gallery, by the tables.
Why do you use towels, instead of paper towels or hand dryers? We use towels instead of paper towels because we’ve learned that inevitably, paper towels end up in our tanks. They don’t disintergrate, and they end up clogging our filtration system. While that does’t sound too terrible, potentially in can be disastrous by either overflowing our exhibits, or crashing the filtration system. We also looked at the option of hand dryers, but because of noise levels, we have opted for towels.
Are the towels clean? Each of the towels are changed out several times a day, and washed and bleached every night.
Don’t reptiles and birds carry bacteria? Yes, they most certainly can. However, salmonella is transmitted by ingesting the bacteria in a food source, so the chances of contracting it from our animals is very slim. Also, our reptile and avian residents have been tested negative for e. coli by our wildlife vet. The best way to prevent contamination is good hand washing habits. If you plan to eat after having interacted with ANY of our residents, please wash your hands.
Are the sharks/rays stressed out by all the interaction? Our sharks and rays have been acclimatized and are very used to all the attention. However, if they are feeling overwhelmed or tired, the rays will bury themselves in the substrate, or swim away where they can’t be reached. When a black tipped reef sharks stresses out, they exhibit behavior that indicates as such. In that case, they would be removed and put into quarantine.
What happens when an animal is sick? We have a wildlife veterinarian come and check on the welfare of all our animals at least once a week. He is also on-call 24/7 in the event of an emergency. He checks the health of all our animals, and if he sees that anything is amiss, we heed his advice immediately.
Do you have wheelchairs for rent? We do not have wheelchairs/scooters for rent. We unfortunately just don’t have the space to store any rental wheelchairs.
Are you wheelchair accessible? Yes, absolutely we are wheelchair accessible.
Are you accepting applications? We are currently fully staffed. Please check our Careers link for any job listings.
I bought my pass online. Why haven’t I gotten it in the mail? Your season pass will be printed on the day of your first visit. It’s active for a year from that date. That way, even if you purchased it online but can’t make it down to visit for a few days, a few weeks or even a few months, you won’t miss out on any of your year’s worth of membership!
How many membership cards will I get? You will get one membership card, and if you don’t have your card with you on your visit we can look you up by name. Just bring picture I.D!
Do you have a volunteer program? We currently do not have a volunteer program, but keep checking our website for any changes or updates to any of our programs!
Are you AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited? Not yet, but we sure would like to be! The process to get accredited is a long one, that requires a zoo or aquarium to be open for at least two years just to be considered for accreditation.
Are you affiliated with the Oregon Zoo or Oregon Coast Aquarium? No, we are independent of the zoo and aquarium. We would like to collaborate with one, or both, in the future.
Are the otter/puffin enclosures big enough to house those animals? We have to follow strict guidelines put forth by the AZA and by the USDA’s APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) for the size of our enclosures. Our enclosures have been, or are being, built to meet or exceed these guidelines. The otter enclosure is still in the process of being built. The back wall is being moved out about 15 feet which will almost double the size of what’s there now. Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, and only come on land to nest. They will have their own nesting boxes, room to dive, and swim around.
What about the moray eel? In the wild, moray eels spend almost their entire lives hiding in the crevices of rocks, lying in wait for their prey. The 350 gallon enclosure our moray eel lives in is more territory than they cover in their natural environment.
Can you tell me more about the foster children program? Foster children are always welcome at our aquarium, free of admission cost. We know how stressful being in the foster system can be. We’d like to help brighten a foster child’s day, if even just for a few hours. The foster parent just needs to present state issued ID for their foster children at the box office.
