Animal care

The animals you see at the Aquarium are part of a bigger story. Behind each exhibit, a dedicated team of people is working to care for our animals and protect their ocean homes. They’re innovating in the field of animal medicine, advancing conservation science, and researching marine animals to expand humanity’s knowledge of the natural world. What they’re learning here helps us preserve and protect the ocean for future generations.

Floor-to-ceiling curved windows reveal towering golden kelp and fish inside the Kelp Forest exhibit

A history of innovation

Throughout the years, Monterey Bay Aquarium has been an innovator in the public aquarium space. Inspiring our guests to feel closer and more connected to the incredible diversity of life in ocean world advances our mission to inspire conservation of the ocean. From the first-ever living Kelp Forest exhibit, to our 1.2 million gallon Open Sea exhibit designed to showcase tuna and other pelagic life, to an out-of-this-world deep-sea exhibit Into the Deep/En lo Profundo, we’ve pushed the envelope of what is possible in a public aquarium.

Gloved caretaker holding a young penguin chick wrapped in a blue towel during a veterinary exam

A raft of sea otters floating among golden kelp, with the blue waters of Monterey Bay Aquarium in the background

Redefining wildlife restoration

We’ve been involved with southern sea otter conservation efforts since before we opened our doors in 1984. We led the way in their veterinary care, conducted research on wild otter populations, and developed a first-of-its-kind surrogacy program. Our non-releasable exhibit sea otters help raise stranded pups to help wild populations recover. Building on the expertise we’ve gained over the years, we're advancing sea otter research and recovery by partnering with conservation-driven organizations and sharing our knowledge of sea otter surrogacy.

Members of the Into the Deep Animal Care Team inspecting a Japanese spider crab in the Whalefall Exhibit

Diving into deep-sea wonder

With each new Aquarium exhibit, we’re exploring new habitats and working with new animals, often without a manual of instructions attached. Our Animal Care staff tests and develops the best methods for a variety of animals—many of which have never been exhibited in an aquarium before. But when we’re successful, the animals thrive and bring guests closer to the irreplaceable life in these ecosystems.

Monterey Bay Aquarium veterinary technicians using thermal imaging to monitor the recovery of a rescued Southern sea otter during rehabilitation for release

Building conservation knowledge

By studying the animals in our care and collaborating with other scientific organizations, we document how to care for animals, study their lives in the wild, and contribute to ocean conservation. We’re committed to using our unique resources to help protect our ocean planet for future generations.

Dr. Ri Chang, wearing a stethoscope, examining Geyser, an African penguin, during a routine veterinary check, assisted by two staff members

Advancing veterinary care

The Aquarium’s team contributes to the world’s knowledge of ocean animals by providing exceptional health care for those in our living collection, from shorebirds to sea otters to octopuses. We’re also helping train a diverse new generation of veterinary professionals to continue this important work in the future.