At Georgia Aquarium, enrichment is more than just fun and games. It’s an essential part of exceptional animal care. For our spirited sea otters, activities that challenge their minds and encourage natural behaviors are key to their health and well-being. This Sea Otter Awareness Week, we are spotlighting an innovative research collaboration that blends science, technology and play to better understand how our otters engage with the world around them.

Working alongside researchers from Georgia Tech, our animal care team tested a new approach using instrumented enrichment devices. These highly specialized and purpose-created items are embedded with motion sensors to track how otters interact, learn and adapt over time. The pilot study was conducted at Georgia Aquarium with five sea otters (Enhydra lutris).

The goal was to explore whether custom-designed, species-specific enrichment devices could provide new insights to support the Aquarium’s already robust enrichment program. By collecting valuable behavioral data, researchers aimed to help further fine-tune enrichment strategies and identify subtle changes that might signal shifts in an animal’s health or well-being.

Putting Play to the Test

During the study, each otter received two types of enrichment items. The first was a familiar favorite, a food-dispensing KONG Genius Leo dog enrichment tool that our sea otters have used before. The second was a brand-new challenge, a custom-built scallop-shaped device created specifically for the study.

Both were fitted with motion sensors to measure interaction time and intensity. Food rewards were weighed before and after play to determine how efficiently each otter accessed them. Our team also used video to capture the unique strategies and personalities on display.

The results were fascinating. On average, the otters took longer to get less food from the scallop-shaped device, suggesting a learning curve with new enrichment. One otter, Bixby, even decided to skip the scallop entirely. “Otters, much like people, each have their own personalities, perspectives, and preferences,” said Jason Jones, Curator of Mammals & Birds. “They interact with other otters, their trainers, and their environment in unique ways. In this study, for example, we noticed that Bixby shows little interest in some of the newer enrichment items and instead tends to favor more familiar ones. Getting to know the individuals and recognizing their distinct traits and behavior is part of what makes our work so engaging, fun, and rewarding.”

Why This Matters

While the study confirmed that embedded sensors can capture reliable, real-world behavioral data, the groundbreaking aspect was using motion-sensor technology within enrichment devices. This allowed the team to measure interaction patterns with precision, turning playful activities into a potential early-warning system for changes in behavior that might reflect shifts in health or well-being. It’s an added layer of insight that builds on the Aquarium’s existing expertise in species-specific enrichment, offering new opportunities to refine care through technology.

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Georgia Aquarium follows strict enrichment standards. This research could help refine those guidelines, ensuring they are backed by measurable, data-driven insights.

Our collaboration with Georgia Tech is just the beginning. Future studies will track how otter interactions evolve over weeks or months, helping us design enrichment that adapts alongside the animals themselves. It is a perfect example of how technology can enhance animal welfare while deepening our understanding of these charismatic marine mammals.

Join Us in Celebrating Sea Otter Awareness Week

Sea Otter Awareness Week is a time to honor the resilience and charm of these endangered animals and to commit to their protection in the wild. By blending innovation with expert care, Georgia Aquarium is working to give our sea otters the best possible quality of life while inspiring guests to protect their ocean home.

By Leah Neal, Curator of Fish and Invertebrates at Georgia Aquarium

I recently had the incredible opportunity to spend a week in Thailand working alongside dedicated conservation professionals as part of the ongoing ReShark StaR (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery) Project—a global, collaborative initiative to restore zebra shark populations in their native Indo-Pacific habitats.

Georgia Aquarium is a proud partner of the project, and I’ve been fortunate to be involved from the beginning. From contributing zebra shark eggs to sharing our expertise in husbandry and research, our role spans from the lab to the field. This trip to Thailand was an important step forward for the StaR Project’s expansion.

Setting Standards for Global Conservation

One of my main goals on this trip was to assist in the inspection of an aquarium in Southeast Asia being considered as a potential new egg donor facility. Unlike facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in the United States, many aquariums in Southeast Asia don’t have an accrediting body. That means it falls to us and our partners to ensure they meet the rigorous animal care, safety, and welfare standards necessary for participation.

After thoroughly reviewing husbandry protocols, environmental conditions, and staff practices, I’m pleased to say the facility was approved. This exciting development will help expand genetic diversity for future releases.

Knowledge Sharing in Action

Equally important was the opportunity to work hands-on with staff at both the donor facility and the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC)—a potential future holding site for zebra shark pups. I assisted with training sessions on essential practices like zebra shark blood collection, microchipping, and general animal handling. Many of the staff at PMBC were hired specifically for the StaR Project. It was incredibly rewarding to help them build the skills and confidence needed to care for these animals.

Training and collaboration are vital components of any long-term conservation effort. By sharing best practices, we ensure a consistent approach to shark care and data collection, no matter where in the world it’s happening.

Diving Into the Future

My final stop was Mai Ton Island, a private island off the coast of Phuket. Our team evaluated a site for a future sea pen—an enclosed, ocean-based holding area that serves as an intermediate step for zebra sharks before their full release. After diving the site, I helped assess the environmental conditions and suitability for animal care. I’m happy to share that the sea pen was approved and is now successfully housing zebra sharks.

Looking ahead, we’re now exploring the possibility of building a hatchery near the sea pen. This would allow for even greater on-site care and monitoring before transfer or release.

What’s Next

Later this year, I plan to return to Indonesia, where the StaR Project began, to assist with the release of zebra sharks. Seeing these animals swim free in their native waters after years of careful planning, collaboration, and care is the ultimate goal. It is also an unforgettable moment for everyone involved.

At Georgia Aquarium, we’re deeply committed to the success of this project. Conservation doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens through partnership, knowledge-sharing, and a global commitment to restoration. I’m proud and grateful for the opportunity to help bring zebra sharks back to their native reefs.

To learn more about the ReShark StaR Project and Georgia Aquarium’s role in global shark conservation, visit reshark.org/star-project.

Protecting Dolphins and Our Ocean: Georgia Aquarium’s Legacy Dolphin Health Research Program

At Georgia Aquarium, we believe caring for the ocean begins with understanding it. For over a decade, our scientists and veterinarians led one of the most important dolphin health studies ever undertaken, the Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) project. This groundbreaking work not only deepened our knowledge of dolphins but also revealed powerful connections between the health of marine animals, their ecosystems, and the people who share those waters.

What Is HERA?

Beginning in 2003, Georgia Aquarium and its partners launched HERA, a first-of-its-kind research program studying wild bottlenose dolphins in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon and South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. Over the years, experts examined several hundred dolphins, gathering vital information about their health, exposure to pollutants, and resilience in the face of environmental change.

Every dolphin was carefully examined and then returned safely to its home waters, helping scientists collaborating from dozens of scientific research organizations build a living picture of how these animals, and the ecosystems they represent, are faring.

Why It Matters

HERA proved what many scientists had long believed: dolphin health offers early warnings about the health of our ocean and the communities that depend on it. The project uncovered:

• High levels of pollutants such as mercury and long-banned toxic chemicals, raising concerns for both dolphins and people who rely on local seafood.
• Signs of immune challenges and disease, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and exposure to viruses that can spread quickly through wild populations.
• First detection of triclosan, an anti-bacterial compound, in dolphins at levels similar to those reported for humans, adding evidence on the persistence of these antimicrobials. This finding contributed in part to an FDA rule removing these chemicals from over-the-counter antibacterial soaps.
• Connections between dolphin health and human health, reminding us that a healthy ocean is essential for all life.

The data collected continues to guide conservation and public health decisions today, long after the last dolphin exam was completed.

A Visionary Leader: Dr. Gregory Bossart

At the heart of HERA was the leadership of Dr. Gregory Bossart, Georgia Aquarium’s Senior Vice President and Chief Veterinary Officer. Dr. Bossart was more than a brilliant scientist; he was a visionary who believed in the “One Health” approach, which is the idea that the health of people, animals, and the environment is deeply connected.

Through his leadership, Georgia Aquarium became a world leader in conservation medicine. He inspired countless colleagues and students with his belief that caring for dolphins and protecting the ocean are inseparable from caring for one another.

Though Dr. Bossart passed away in 2019, his legacy lives on. To celebrate his life and continue his mission, Georgia Aquarium created the Dr. Gregory Bossart Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship supports students in veterinary and marine sciences who share a passion for wildlife conservation and the health of our planet. New scholars carry Dr. Bossart’s vision forward each year, ensuring that the spirit of HERA continues to inspire and protect for generations to come.

Carrying the Work Forward

The lessons of HERA remain as relevant today as when the first dolphin was examined. Georgia Aquarium is proud to honor Dr. Bossart’s extraordinary leadership and to continue his life’s work: protecting animals, conserving nature, and inspiring hope for a healthier ocean.