Georgia Aquarium honors the life and legacy of our founder, Bernie Marcus. His vision and generosity made Georgia Aquarium a reality, transforming it from a dream to a world-class destination that has welcomed over 40 million visitors. We are thankful for his support and vision and look back in gratitude on his incredible achievements. 

 

Mr. Marcus dedicated his life to philanthropic causes and is the reason Georgia Aquarium exists today. What began as a vision to build an aquarium in downtown Atlanta, as a gift back to the city that gave him so much, became an endeavor that changed not only the city but the aquarium industry as a whole. 

 

Through his imagination and tenacity, he conceptualized and created Georgia Aquarium. His commitment to excellence drew together world-class experts in animal care, research, and aquarium design, creating a place where guests from around the world could experience the wonders of the ocean firsthand. His vision for a transformative institution helped revitalize downtown Atlanta, turning it into a lively center for tourism, education, and community engagement. Through his leadership, the Aquarium became a beacon of discovery and conservation, inspiring millions and igniting a spirit of stewardship for aquatic life.

 

Bernie envisioned Georgia Aquarium as a place for all, a space where everyone could experience the magic of the ocean, regardless of background. He especially valued access for young minds, creating opportunities for school children to visit, learn, and be inspired. Since opening, Georgia Aquarium has welcomed nearly 1.7 million students on field trips. Through outreach programs, the Aquarium has connected with over 25,000 students, taking marine science beyond our walls and into the community. This dedication to education was at the heart of Bernie’s mission, ensuring that future generations grow up with a passion for our oceans and a drive to protect them.

 

We are forever grateful for his vision, his generosity, and his determination. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Billi, his family, and all who cherished him. Bernie’s impact will forever be felt here at Georgia Aquarium.

At Georgia Aquarium, conservation and rehabilitation efforts extend far beyond the walls of our exhibits. This commitment was recently put into action when we partnered with the Alaska SeaLife Center to help care for an abandoned walrus calf that needed immediate, specialized attention.

A Calf in Need

Earlier this summer, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) was alerted to a walrus calf in distress, stranded without its mother, and in need of urgent care. The calf, estimated to be just a few weeks old, was dehydrated and underweight, requiring round-the-clock attention from the ASLC team. Walrus calves, who typically remain with their mothers for up to five years, are particularly vulnerable when orphaned. Their survival depends on specialized 24/7 care.

Pacific walruses are a highly social species, often found in tightly huddled herds, lying in direct contact with one another. Because of this social need, the rehabilitation team must offer 24/7 companionship and contact while also providing intensive health support. This kind of care and need for close contact with humans means that any orphaned walrus calf admitted to rehabilitation will not be a candidate for release. However, they will continue to receive incredible care and serve as an important ambassador for their species, raising awareness about the challenges faced by Pacific walruses and the ecosystems they live in.

Recognizing the need for additional hands-on expertise, ASLC contacted its network of partners, including Georgia Aquarium.

Georgia Aquarium’s Role

As a key partner in wildlife rehabilitation efforts, Georgia Aquarium was eager to assist. Our team has worked closely with the ASLC in the past, and this case was no different. We provided resources and expertise, ensuring that the calf received the best possible care. The partnership between Georgia Aquarium and the ASLC is based on a shared commitment to protect marine species, particularly those in dire situations like this young walrus.

Over the past few months, several of our animal care staff made the trip from Georgia to Alaska to help care for the walrus calf around the clock. Our team helped to create and follow a personalized care plan, which included bottle feedings of a formula mimicking walrus milk, enrichment activities to stimulate her development, and regular health check-ups.

“Uki is such an incredible walrus and serves as an important ambassador for her counterparts,” said Jaclyn Andrews, assistant trainer at Georgia Aquarium. “My favorite part about helping with Uki’s intensive, round-the-clock rehabilitation would be acting as her surrogate, preparing and feeding her bottles, and building a relationship with her. Seeing her seek me out for physical comfort (walrus snuggles) was a rewarding experience. I am forever grateful to be a part of her amazing story.”

This type of collaboration is critical in the world of wildlife rehabilitation. Sharing knowledge and support can have a huge impact on animal welfare in current and future rehabilitation.

What’s Next for the Walrus Calf?

After weeks of intensive care, the walrus calf showed remarkable signs of improvement. 

A nationwide group of walrus and marine mammal experts from AZA’s Marine Mammal Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) determined that SeaWorld Orlando was the best setting for the calf, officially named Ukiaq -“Uki” (pronounced oo-kee) for short. Her name, “Ukiaq,” translates to “autumn” in the language of the Iñupiaq people who live in the area of northern Alaska where she was first found. This consensus decision prioritized her social needs, ensuring she joins a diverse social group of walruses, including an adult female walrus who has experience with walrus calves and could be a potential surrogate mother for Uki. 

She recently moved to her permanent home at SeaWorld Orlando, where she will continue to receive support as needed and ensure every opportunity to grow and recover.

ASLC Animal Care Specialist Halley and a veterinarian were with Uki for her entire journey to Orlando and stayed with her for a few days to make the transition as smooth as possible. Halley reported that Uki is settling in well and already loves her new pool and enrichment toys.

We are excited to see Uki continue to be an incredible ambassador for her species. The ASLC will continue to be involved with Uki’s journey and care, but the majority of her updates will come from her new caretakers at SeaWorld Orlando. 

 

A Shared Commitment to Conservation

The efforts surrounding Uki underscore the importance of partnerships between marine conservation organizations. With each successful rescue and rehabilitation, institutions like Georgia Aquarium and the Alaska SeaLife Center move one step closer to securing a better future for marine wildlife.

Check out Georgia Aquarium’s ongoing efforts to protect marine wildlife on our Newsroom. 

For the latest updates on Uki, follow SeaWorld Orlando on social.

Wolfgang Puck Catering has been named Modern Luxury Atlanta’s “Best of the City” nationwide caterer, a recognition that reflects its dedication to culinary excellence and exceptional service. We spoke with Allison Grady, senior director of catering sales at Wolfgang Puck Catering, to get her insights on this prestigious award and what sets them apart.

What does this recognition mean to Wolfgang Puck Catering?

“Being named Modern Luxury’s Best of the City – National Caterer is an incredible honor for us. It validates our team’s tireless dedication to culinary excellence and exceptional service. This award celebrates our past achievements and motivates us to keep innovating and exceeding expectations. It’s a testament to our commitment to delivering unforgettable dining experiences, whether for an intimate gathering or a large-scale event.” – Allison Grady

What distinguishes Wolfgang Puck Catering from other companies?

“Our distinction lies in our world-class culinary expertise, commitment to locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and our ability to customize each event to reflect the client’s vision. Our chef team’s creativity, coupled with meticulous attention to detail in presentation and service, ensures a memorable experience for every guest.”

How do you approach planning for different events?

“We tailor our approach based on the event type. For corporate gatherings, we create sophisticated menus for large groups that are efficiently served. We incorporate interactive food stations and tray-passed hors d’oeuvres. For smaller, private events, we focus on creating an intimate setting, often with a coursed meal and chef interaction.”

How did Wolfgang Puck Catering become the exclusive caterer for Georgia Aquarium?

“Our partnership with Georgia Aquarium started when Bernie Marcus, the Aquarium’s founder, participated in our cooking classes in Atlanta. A memorable event we catered was the recent Spring Showcase, where we highlighted delicious, seasonal fare. We look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

Congratulations to Wolfgang Puck Catering for their remarkable achievement and continued success in the catering world!