A vintage T-shirt worn by Taylor Swift in her “Life of a Showgirl” release film has done more than spark fashion nostalgia — it’s helped save sea otters.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium reissued its 1993 otter tee after Swift was spotted wearing it, and in just hours, fans raised over $2 million for the Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program. The campaign, which offered the shirt for a donation of $65.13 — a nod to Swift’s favorite number — quickly went viral, selling out and going into backorder within a day.
The fundraiser smashed its initial $1.3 million goal in under eight hours, bringing renewed attention to the Aquarium’s decades-long conservation work.
“Intentional or not, by putting our sea otter conservation work in the spotlight, this has brought a new era of support and awareness,” the Aquarium said in a statement.
What the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Program does
Since the 1980s, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has rescued, raised, and released more than 1,000 sea otters, helping restore California’s kelp forests and stabilize marine ecosystems like Elkhorn Slough.
The Aquarium pioneered a surrogacy program, where non-releasable female otters raise orphaned pups, teaching them survival skills before release. This method has proven so successful that over half of the otter population growth in Elkhorn Slough has been linked to surrogate-reared otters.
Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their presence helps maintain the balance of marine environments. Their return has curbed crab overpopulation and helped reestablish seagrass beds, according to marine ecologists.
Going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium? Here’s what to know
Planning a visit to the Aquarium? Here’s what you need to know:
Where: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row, Monterey
Hours: Typically 10 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, with extended weekend hours. Closed Christmas Day
Tickets: Adults $65; Youth (5–17) $50; Seniors $50; Children under 4 are free
Discounts: Monterey County residents enjoy free admission during select September dates; EBT cardholders can access free entry for up to four guests under Museums for All. Advance Purchase Required: No walk-up sales — buy online before you go
Tips to make the most of your Monterey Bay Aquarium visit
