UPDATED: Mystic Aquarium brings Ziggy to new home

Aquarium puts the money together, invites you to meet Ziggy

From the Mystic Aquarium

Ziggy is here at her new home in Mystic

UPDATE: Mystic, Conn, - Mystic Aquarium is pleased to invite you to meet Northern Fur Seal Ziggy Star, Thursday, March 27 at 11 AM. Ziggy arrived at her new home at Mystic Aquarium on Friday, March 21 and will be able to be seen by the public starting on March 29.  

Ziggy's story began in April 2013.

Ziggy Star a Northern Fur Seal was found severely emaciated and barely alive on a beach on the Mendocino coast. She was rescued by The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito where she was diagnosed with a serious neurologic condition that affects her ability to process images correctly and coordinate her movements. Her condition would impact her ability to survive in the wild making it impossible for her to ever be released. Ziggy will need human care forever.

Mystic Aquarium looked for ways to help give Ziggy a permanenthome and care for the rest of her life. After months of rehabilitation in CA, Ziggy was flown home to her forever home at Mystic Aquarium accompanied by Laurie Macha, the Aquarium's curator of marine Mammals and Birds and one of the Aquarium’s veterinarians, Dr. Ally McNaughton.  Ziggy Star will spend the next few months at the Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Observatory but will eventually reside in the Pacific Northwest Exhibit which was designed specifically for Northern Fur Seals. She will join other Northern Fur Seals and Harbor seals.

EARLIER STORY:

Ziggy Star was found in April last year, collapsed on a beach on the Mendocino coast, severely emaciated and barely alive. She was rescued and brought to The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. 

At the Center's hospital she was diagnosed with a serious neurologic condition. After extensive testing it was determined that her condition would ultimately impact her ability to survive in the wild.

Mystic Aquarium working with the Center has stepped up to provide a home to Ziggy Star.  Her condition made it difficult to place Ziggy Star, but it became critical that The Marine Mammal Center find her a home. 

Laurie Macha, Mystic  Aquarium's Curator of Marine Mammals and Birds meets Northern Fur Seal Ziggy Star 

"When I arrived on Tuesday morning, I was taken right away to meet Ziggy.  It took me less than a second to fall in love with her. Her beautiful large eyes were the first thing to stick into my mind as she looked at me, I knew that we would have an exciting future as I worked to develop a relationship with Ziggy. I learned immediately that Ziggy loves the spotlight and when she sees a camera she comes right up to stick her nose in the lens and investigate."

Mystic Aquarium looked for ways to help give Ziggy a permanent home so she could live in a social setting with other fur seals and benefit from the care she requires. Ziggy Star underwent several months of care at The Marine Mammal Center and was cleared to join Mystic Aquarium's collection. 

Ziggy Star’s new home will be in the Pacific Northwest Exhibit, an area at the Aquarium that was specially designed and built for northern fur seals.  She will be joining 7 harbor seals and 2 male northern fur seals.

Ziggy Star suffers from a neurologic condition that affects her ability to process images correctly and coordinate her movements. Although she is otherwise healthy, these limitations will prevent her from being able to survive in the wild, so she will need human care for the rest of her life.

It will take over $15,000 to move Ziggy Star from California to Mystic and help care for her needs.  Please consider making a tax deductible donation today by going to MysticAquarium.org. Every donation will help bring Ziggy to her new home.

About Mystic Aquarium            
Mystic Aquarium is a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and is counted among the nation’s leading aquariums with more than 300 species and an extensive collection of marine mammals, including New England’s only beluga whales. 

Mystic Aquarium has been a pioneer in offering guests a variety of up close encounters with a wide range of marine animals. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration. 

Sea Research receives major support from United Technologies Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Learn more at www.mysticaquarium.org or www.searesearch.org.