LETTER FROM OUR CEO
CORPORATE PARTNERS
GREETINGS MEMBERS AND FRIENDS With the winter now behind us, we are all looking forward to an exciting spring and summer season. A new special exhibit showcasing the amazing photography of National Geographic photojournalist and conservationist Brian Skerry will premier in May, and you’ll find new animals in the Caribbean jungle. As all of you who reside in South Texas know, our winter of 2017-2018 was highly unusual. Several inches of snow fell in early December, followed by a bone-chilling cold front in early January. Fortunately for all of our animals here at the Aquarium, our habitats are engineered to handle just about anything that Mother Nature can throw at us.
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Unfortunately, the populations of green sea turtles residing in our coastal bays, lagoons and Gulf waters were not so lucky. During this past winter, the Texas coast experienced an unprecedented sea turtle cold-stunning event; over 3,000 green sea turtles were rescued along the coast. Over the course of a six-week period, about 1,100 of these turtles ended up at the Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Center. To put this into perspective, we typically care for about 400 injured wild animals over the course of an entire year! Our Animal Care and Operations team stepped up quickly and fullyutilized every square foot of our expanded and upgraded center. Staff from many of the Aquarium’s departments came over to the center to volunteer their time, cleaning systems and helping feed these incredible turtles. Veterinarians from the Gladys Porter Zoo, the National Aquarium, and from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency also came in to help with this extraordinary wildlife rescue and recovery event. In the end, over 1,000 green sea turtles were released back into the Gulf, each carrying an internal, electronic PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag. Dr. Larry McKinney, the Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, summed it up best: “This is a significant conservation action on a Texas-sized scale.” Special thanks go to Dr. Donna Shaver, who heads the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at the Padre Island National Seashore. Her leadership and coordination during this extraordinary event, and her decades of dedication to these endearing marine reptiles, have led to growth of these populations. Her passion inspires us. This is rewarding work, made possible by your support of our mission. Thank you for making a difference, and I hope to see you here soon at your Texas State Aquarium.
Tom Schmid President and CEO
SPRING 2018
animal spotlight
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Ne w B i r d s A r r i v e i n C ar i b b ean J o u r n ey
Some new feathered friends will be waiting in the wings for our guests when they visit Caribbean Journey this year. Among the new arrivals are a white pelican, a magnificent frigatebird, sun conures, and a Venezuelan troupial. Learn about these fascinating new species below. This yet-to-be named magnificent frigatebird made a rough landing in South Texas in the midst of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. She was found soaked in seawater and covered in cactus spines in nearby Loyola Beach. Our rehab team took her in to treat her wounds and found she was unable to extend her wing, an injury that made her unable to survive in the wild. She has made her home in Caribbean Journey’s Coral Knoll, and will be the only magnificent frigatebird at any zoo or aquarium in North America. You can help us choose this new frigatebird’s name! Choose from the names Storm, Isla, and Marina and cast your vote on our Facebook page. Her name will be officially announced on March 15!
This male white pelican, named Amos in honor of the late Tony Amos, the founder of the Animal Rehabilitation Keep, was taken in by our rehab team in December 2017. He had suffered a gunshot wound after being shot through both wings while in flight, and consequently, cannot fly. Amos is currently undergoing training, and has joined the frigatebird in Caribbean Journey’s Coral Knoll.
Jack the Venezuelan troupial is named for his vibrant orange and black Halloween colors. He arrived from Minnesota Zoo and was released into our jungle in mid-December 2017. Troupials are a member of the AZA’s Species Survival Program, so he’ll be put on a breeding plan that hopefully one day, will produce more troupials in our Caribbean Jungle.
Along with these unique new birds, we’ve released a handful of brightly-colored sun conures, canary-winged parakeets, and some blue-grey tanagers, so keep an eye out for these bright new additions as they fly through Caribbean Journey’s jungle. Our Animal Care will track them closely, making sure they’re healthy and adapting well to their environment, but otherwise they’ll have the run of the jungle, able to forage, build nests, and exhibit other natural behaviors.
SPRING 2018
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AQUARIUM NEWS
Coming in from the Cold Our Record-Breaking Rescue of More than 1,000 Sea Turtles
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old weather doesn’t come often to the Coastal Bend, and when it does, it arrives quickly and without much notice, leaving most of us South Texans awfully unprepared. But no animal may suffer as much from the sudden onset of a cold front than the green sea turtle.
As frigid winds swept into the Lone Star State in December and January, thousands of these endangered marine reptiles were found stranded on local beaches, many near-death or suffering from life-threatening injuries. These poor turtles were cold-stunned, a hypothermic reaction that occurs when seawater temperature drops in shallow water environments. As a cold-blooded animal that feeds in shallow waters, the green sea turtle is especially susceptible, and as such, made up the vast majority of Texas’s cold-stunned sea turtles.
Never before has Texas seen so many cold-stunned turtles, but something had to be done…and quickly, to save these endangered species. The Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Staff responded immediately, running trips to and from Padre Island National Seashore to transport hundreds of sea turtle patients to our rehab center. In our newly-renovated facility, staff and volunteers meticulously documented each sea turtles weight, body temperature, and other factors, then placed them into saltwater, where they could warm up and regain their full ability to swim and feed. Thanks to the hard work of these rescuers, most of these sea turtle recovered and were released in just a few days back into their natural habitat. For our first large-scale release, 168 sea turtles hitched a ride with the U.S. Coast Guard to be released into warmer waters a few miles offshore. Hundreds more followed with releases at nearby Padre Island National Seashore, which the public came out to witness.
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SPRING 2018
AQUARIUM NEWS
In just two months, over 1,000 sea turtles were released back into their natural habitat, marking a major milestone in the Aquarium’s ongoing efforts to save these endangered species. In just two months, over 1,000 sea turtles were released back into their natural habitat, marking a major milestone in the Aquarium’s ongoing efforts to save these endangered species. Thank you so much to the partnering organizations for their help with this and the support of our members, all who helped make this monumental undertaking possible. To help save sea turtles and learn more about our Wildlife Rescue and Recovery work, visit texasstateaquarium.org/rescue and look for more information in this issue about how we treated cold-stunned turtles.
SPRING 2018
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aquarium news
Cetacean Welfare Study
How to Get Involved
There’s more going on at the Aquarium than you can see from one side of the acrylic. Dive even deeper into our world with these exciting immersive programs.
Animal Science Exploration Program
Have you dreamed about a career in animal science? At our ongoing career shadow program, you’ll meet and accompany our Animal Care staff during their animal care tasks, giving you an unforgettable introduction to this exciting career field. Find more information at texasstateaquarium.org/asep.
Volunteer Information Session
A dolphin’s perpetual smile suggests that it’s constantly happy and healthy, but how do we know for sure? While our Dolphin Bay team works around the clock to provide our dolphins with the best possible diets, exercise, enrichment, and medical treatment, we wanted to make absolutely sure our dolphins always stay in top shape both mentally and physically. Working with partnering zoos and aquariums, our ongoing Cetacean Welfare Study will test our dolphins’ health and how it relates to their habitat, enrichment, and training. Armed with this data, we’ll be able to even better understand and care for these incredible marine mammals. Follow our social media pages for more information on this study and its findings.
Volunteering is a great way to make a difference and get the necessary experience to launch a career, whether in science, animal care, or any other field. Get your adventure started by attending a volunteer information session. Find more info at texasstateaquarium.org/ volunteer.
AquaTeens
If you’re a teenager looking to volunteer, there’s a special volunteer program just for you. Our AquaTeens have the chance to help care for animals, visit other zoos and aquariums, and help with conservation in our community. Find more info at texasstateaquarium.org/aquateens.
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SPRING 2018
aquarium news
Sensory Sensitive Sundays
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housands of guests enjoy the Aquarium every day, but for some children and their families facing the challenges of autism and other sensory disorders, the Aquarium can be a difficult place to visit. Through our Sensory Sensitive Sundays, these families can enjoy the Aquarium in a quieter, modified environment that’s better suited to children with sensory disorders. Modified animal presentations are also provided along with special break areas. The next Sensory Sensitive Sunday is April 8 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Tickets are available through local service providers or by calling 361-881-1381.
Thank You
to our Generous Supporter H-E-B!
H-E-B has been a supporter of the Texas State Aquarium for over 34 years and their support has helped transform the Aquarium into what it is today. H-E-B has not only supported exhibits like the H-E-B Caribbean Sea, the H-E-B Splash Park, and the H-E-B Dolphin Room, but has also been the sponsor for a number of Dollar Days throughout the years, with our most recent one being in February of 2017. We appreciate Corporate Partners like H-E-B that help us further our mission.
SPRING 2018
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CONSERVATION SPOTLIGHT
Seeing Sharks in a New Light 7
Photos by Brian Skerry/National Geographic
CONSERVATION SPOTLIGHT
Our Upcoming Photo Exhibit
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ur immediate reaction to seeing a shark, whether in the wild, in our Aquarium, or even on TV, is fear. One look at the shark’s distinctive arcing dorsal fin, sharp teeth, and dark eyes, and your thoughts may go to the bloody attacks of films like “Jaws,” the unnerving stories recounted on “Shark Week,” and a thousand other different shows. But the truth about the shark is much less scary. Since our beginning, we’ve worked to dampen that popular but harmful image of the killer shark. After all, with only about 6 fatal shark attacks each year, you’re more likely to be snuffed out by a falling coconut or a flying champagne cork than this infamous ocean predator. Sharks, on the other hand, would have good reason to feature humans as their own movie villain; mankind kills more than 100 million sharks per year. A new photo exhibit arriving at the Aquarium in May is giving sharks some better exposure - literally. “SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry” showcases the photographs of National Geographic Explorer and award-winning photojournalist Brian Skerry, who spent more than 10,000 hours underwater exploring the world’s oceans with a camera to show why sharks need to be protected and appreciated as an integral species within the ecosystem. The exhibition will include large-scale
Photos by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic
SPRING 2018
Photos by Brian Skerry/National Geographic
images and videos and will be exhibited in Caribbean Journey’s underwater level, across from our H-E-B Caribbean Sea Shark habitat. Through this exhibit, Skerry strives to show sharks through a different lens, as something to respect and value rather than revile and fear. The exhibition is accompanied by Brian Skerry’s new National Geographic book, SHARK, on sale now. Our hope is that through photo galleries like this one and getting a different look at sharks through educational exhibits like Saving Sharks and H-E-B Caribbean Sea, you’ll be inspired to help save them. Because of habitat
loss, line entanglement, and overfishing, sharks are in increasing danger of going extinct – which would mean the ocean would also soon die – and us to follow. So how can you help save sharks? Be sure to pick up your trash when you go to the beach or on a boating trip, support sustainable seafood, and don’t purchase any product made from shark parts like shark fin soup. Sharks are primarily targeted for their fins, which are a delicacy in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, so it’s important to decrease the demand for this sharkkilling trade. But also, try and change your perceptions about sharks. The first step towards getting people to care and conserve for sharks is showing that they’re not the monsters they’re made out to be. Read about them, come see them for yourself at our H-E-B Caribbean Sea, and see their beauty in our upcoming photo exhibit, then make up your own mind. Learn more about the National Geographic exhibition “SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry” at https://www.nationalgeographic.org/ dc/exhibitions/sharks/
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How We Rescue Cold-Stunned Turtles 9
Conservation spotligth Cold-stunning was the biggest threat to sea turtles this past winter, stranding over 3,000 of the marine reptiles across the Texas coast and landing more than A cold-stunned sea turtle is found by concerned citizens or sea turtle patrols. Staff then relocate the turtle indoors and out of the cold.
1,000 into our rehab center. See step-by-step how our Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Center helps these sea turtles get a second chance at life.
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At initial intake centers like Padre Island National Seashore, the sea turtle is given an electronic PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag and other bands to track its treatment.
3 The sea turtle is transported in separate containers to our Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Center and other rehab centers that can help.
Sea turtles are placed into sea water habitats, which will be gradually warmed to help the sea turtle’s body temperature recover.
Sea turtles are removed from their rehab habitats and placed into containers to be transported to nearby coastlines.
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Once there, the sea turtle is weighed and its temperature is taken. Staff note if the sea turtle has injuries or signs of fibropapillomatotis, a contagious disease that can cause tumors.
6 Over the next few days, staff monitor the turtles for their ability to swim and feed, making sure they can survive on their own.
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The best part! The public is given one last look at these sea turtles before they are carefully placed into water to return to the wild.
calendar
1MAR
SeaCamp Member Registration Opens
21MAR HOMESCHOOL
Hours of Operation Summer Hours 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily Fall Hours 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday
Register for our popular SeaCamp program, where your child will embark on an exciting underwater adventure with science-based summer activities. Don’t forget Members get a discount! texasstateaquarium.org/seacamp
10MAR
Spring Break Starts and H-E-B Splash Park Opens!
Meet our Caribbean mammals living both on land and in the water! Observe and study mammal adaptations and learn how they survive in extreme environments. texasstateaquarium.org/homeschool
21APR
Party for the Planet We put our own spin on Earth Day with fun games and activities centered on ocean conservation. All activities are free with your admission or membership.
12MAY
Members-Only Kids Club
H-E-B Splash Park Hours Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. March 10-18 Closed for the season – March 19 – May 28
How To Contact Us: Accounting (361) 881-1286 Admissions (361) 881-1230 Donations & Development (361) 881-1340 Education & SeaCamp (361) 881-1204 Event Rentals (361) 881-1244 General Information (361) 881-1200 Gift Shop (361) 881-1232 Group Reservations (361) 653-2602 Naturalist Office (361) 881-1250 Injured Animal (361) 881-1210 Membership (361) 881-1341 Pepsi Shoreline Grill (361) 881-1239 Volunteers (361) 881-1381 Wildlife Rescue and Recovery: (361) 881-1210 The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by the
We are open for all of Spring Break with extended daily hours of 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. March 10-18. H-E-B Splash Park also reopens March 10! texasstateaquarium.org/springbreak
12MAR
Spring Break Mini-Camp Discover a Bigger World at Spring Break Mini-Camp 2018! Mini-Campers not only have fun and make friends, they also learn about science and the environment. texasstateaquarium.org/minicamp
SPRING 2018
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Come join the fun at our new memberexclusive program. Our youngest members will experience exclusive interactions with our animals and participate in hands-on STEM activities. For more information, call our Education Department at 361-881-1204. texasstateaquarium.org/kidsclub
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1235 Corpus Christi, TX
In this Issue
Discover how we rescued and released over 1,000 sea turtles in just two months!
Meet the newest feathered friends in Caribbean Journey, including a frigatebird and pelican!