(June 11, 1997) – Internet surfers have the unprecedented opportunity to "go underwater" with J.J. the baby gray whale as Sea World of California initiates a live "J.J Cam" for day and night viewing of the orphaned calf. She begins her sixth month at the marine life park June 11. The park’s Entertainment and Operations specialists have positioned two cameras in her 1.7 million-gallon habitat, providing views of several angles of the rapidly growing gray whale as she continues to explore her temporary home. "J.J. is growing more and more curious each day," said Shari Ammon of Sea World’s entertainment department, who is coordinating the J.J. Cam. "Where she once placidly stayed in one area of the pool, only occasionally venturing out, she now is clearly more active, and the camera really captures that." Throughout the day, Sea World narrators and tour guides periodically use the daytime camera’s pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, giving both online participants and Sea World guests (via monitors outside her viewing gallery) excellent views of the 22-foot, 7,500-pound, 24-week-old baby. Positioned opposite the 70-foot viewing window, the daytime camera efficiently catches J.J.’s increasingly lively movements and navigations. "She is especially frisky just before and just after feeding times," said Ammon.

A night camera, mounted on the opposite side of her lighted pool, offers views of the calf‘s after-dark activities. "Long pieces of brown kelp are periodically placed in her pool, and it is beautiful, even a bit eerie, to watch her swim at night among the long strands," said Ammon. The night camera images are available on the Animal Information Database between dusk and 11 p.m. While J.J. currently eats five to 10 pounds of squid each day in addition to her 32 gallons of formula, she soon will be scooping solid food off the bottom of her pool as she begins to eat on her own like other gray whales. Since she came to Sea World after beaching Jan. 11 at Marina del Rey, J.J. has gained more than 5,800 pounds. Park animal care specialists say she is gaining more than 2 pounds per hour and growing half an inch per day. Preliminary discussions among marine biologists, veterinarians and other animal care specialists call for J.J. to be reintroduced into the ocean in early 1998. Updated information on J.J. the gray whale also is available through Sea World’s information hotline, 1-800-23-SHAMU. This toll-free phone number is answered by the Sea World education department seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

J.J. Introduced to Gray Whale Sounds and Solid Foods - 5/8/97
Taking a Dip - 5/7/97
J.J.'s Three Month Update - 4/18/97
J.J. Continues To Thrive at Sea World - 3/11/97
J.J. Moves to Shamu Backstage Viewing Area - 2/20/97
One Month at Sea World Marks Weight Gain for J.J. - 2/11/97
Gray Whale Formula Preparation on View - 1/29/97
Sea World Creates Nursing Device - 1/27/97
Update- 1/20/97 at 3:00 p.m. EST
Gray Whale Gains Extra Pounds and A Name - 1/20/97
Fifth Day Finds Gray Whale Calf Continuing to Improve - 1/16/97
Newborn Gray Whale At Sea World Continues To Show Improvement - 1/13/97
First Night at Sea World - 1/12/97
Information about baleen whales
Information about the Sea World Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program

(c) 1997 Sea World, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.