2024 ANNUAL REPORT
SUSETTE TIBUS, PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear Friend,
Day in and day out, Mystic Aquarium is a very busy place. With thousands of marine species in our care, the daily to-do list requires an orchestrated performance that blends science, precision, and heart. What’s more is that every day we also aim to convey our mission of education, conservation, and research to each guest that comes through our doors.
Busy, indeed!
The immediacy of providing top-notch animal care and thought-provoking guest experiences can’t be allowed to overwhelm long-term planning. I’m pleased to say that, when I think of the milestones and accomplishments that best capture 2024, I find myself thinking of how we are preparing for tomorrow’s adventures.
Mystic Aquarium began dabbling in augmented reality this past year. This technology allows us to layer animations and compelling information over exhibits around campus without having to find additional real estate. There’s a large mural between our beluga habitat and the Northern fur seals that comes to life thanks to augmented reality – I hope you’ll experience it for yourself during your next visit!
In July, we were thrilled to see so many of you at Hammonasset Beach State Park for the release of four rehabilitated seals back into the ocean. It was an exciting day that might also be a glimpse of our future in coastal New England. Our Animal Rescue Program is handling a burgeoning call volume that shows no sign of relenting. More and more distressed seals, sea turtles, whales, and dolphins are turning up along the shores of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Fisher’s Island in New York. Your enthusiasm for helping Mystic Aquarium save these animals is vital to meeting the challenge.
Finally, our ongoing strategic planning process outlines our goals and priorities for the coming years. This document will provide a roadmap that articulates how exactly Mystic Aquarium will be prepared for tomorrow’s adventures. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, and our dedicated staff, I want to thank you for reviewing our 2024 Annual Report. Whether you support Mystic Aquarium as a member, as a donor, as a volunteer – or all the above – your commitment to our ocean planet is deeply appreciated.
2024 NUMBERS BY THE
MEMBERS AND VISITORS
799,618 visitors to Mystic Aquarium
72,073 guests admitted free of charge through EBT/SNAP ticketing program
10,784 households have a Mystic Aquarium membership
EDUCATION & RESEARCH
Mystic Aquarium research cited 434 times in various scientific literature
266 schools and community organizations in Connecticut brought more than 21,000 youths to Mystic Aquarium
248 schools across the state participated in educational programs
More than 11,000 students took part in workforce and STEM career development programs
Children from 131 towns in Connecticut – that’s 78 percent of all the towns in the state – were educated through visits and programming
20 research presentations by staff
Mystic Aquarium research featured in 9 scientific journals
6 college students completed research projects
ANIMALS & CONSERVATION
61,672 people participated in conservation activities such as beach cleanups
575 jellies spawned at Mystic Aquarium
Responded to 27 whale and dolphin strandings
19 seals rehabilitated and released
15 critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles rehabilitated and released
7 mossy frogs hatched
2 African penguin chicks hatched
1 green sea turtle rehabilitated and released
1 harbor seal born
1 Northern fur seal born
VOLUNTEERS
746 volunteers supported Mystic Aquarium with their time
32,967 hours contributed to support animal care, guest experiences, programming, and operations
675 volunteers trained to support the Animal Rescue Program
2024 KEEPING BUSY
JANUARY – MARCH
• Book release event for “Secrets of the Octopus” with author Sy Montgomery includes announcement of a three-part NatGeo series of the same name hosted by actor Paul Rudd.
• Freezin’ For A Reason draws hundreds to Esker Point Beach for a chilly plunge.
• Member Appreciation Night draws 986 members.
APRIL – JUNE
• African penguin chicks hatch as part of Species Survival Plan.
• Harbor seal pup born.
• Golf Classic at the Misquamicut Club brings players to an exclusive course in support of Mystic Aquarium.
• Member Appreciation Night draws 836 members.
JULY – SEPTEMBER
• Shark scientist Josh Moyer reveals footage from Discovery Shark Week documentary “Deadliest Bite” featuring scenes shot at Mystic Aquarium.
• Summer-long folk music series features live performances from up-and-coming musicians and Nashville artist Brian McKenzie.
• A Northern fur seal pup is born at Mystic Aquarium, a first for the species here in two decades.
• A leading member of our beluga whale team, Stacie Cole, travels to Alaska to support research and conservation efforts for wild beluga populations in the area.
• Ocean Treasures event highlights animal enrichment programs with hands-on experiences, guided tours, and a night of dining and dancing.
• Hope in the Water brings together PBS, Fed by Blue, and Mystic’s own Shipwright’s Daughter for a night of sustainable dining. Panelist discussion highlights both local and global ocean conservation.
• Member Appreciation Night draws 691 members.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER
• Alex Way, a senior member of the penguin team, travels to South Africa to help reverse the declining population of African penguins.
• Ashley Medeiros, the Paleo Puppeteer, highlights an educational program that includes a visit from Dinosaur State Park.
• Home for the Holidays – Lights Extravaganza returns with a bigger and brighter after-hours experience for families.
• Penguin Run Walk Waddle debuts a new 5K road course for fitness enthusiasts and penguin lovers alike.
• Member Appreciation Night draws 369 members.
2024 FRESH FACES
New life is always exciting, and Mystic Aquarium was fortunate to welcome several newborns in 2024. Whether the result of coordinated breeding efforts with other zoos and aquariums, or simply nature’s handiwork, we hope you’ll come visit these cute additions.
Not only is Denahi in the running to be the most adorable face at Mystic Aquarium, he is also part of a remarkable comeback story.
Denahi’s mother, Kivli, came to Mystic Aquarium nearly a decade ago after a senior member of our animal care team traveled to California to meet Kivli at a rescue operation there. It was apparent that Kivli had been abandoned at a young age. The question was whether the Mystic Aquarium could help this animal survive.
Today, Kivli and her playful pup Denahi are part of a thriving group of seven Northern fur seals. Aside from Denahi, each of the Northern fur seals at Mystic Aquarium is a rescue. That includes Denahi’s favorite playmate, Kayok, who was rescued as a pup in September 2023. The two are easy to spot when you visit the habitat, as they are always playing, swimming, cuddling, and napping together.
DENAHI
Northern Fur Seal
Born July 2024
Harbor Seal Born May 2024
Goose is the youngest harbor seal at Mystic Aquarium and, serendipitously, was born on Mother’s Day.
Goose’s parents, Pearl and Halifax, were both born in early 2012 and arrived at Mystic Aquarium in November that year as rescues, unable to survive on their own in the ocean. As they would in the wild, seals at Mystic Aquarium select their own mates and participate in a courting process.
Like all youngsters, Goose is curious and playful. He has the benefit of a steady, healthy diet, excellent medical care, and he joins a well-rounded social group provided by the other seals in the pod at Mystic Aquarium.
While it’s true that Goose is a harbor seal and not a bird, his slightly silly name was chosen by visitors and friends of Mystic Aquarium who took part in an online poll.
Mystic Aquarium participates in a Species Survival Plan (SSP®) for African penguins, which is a cooperative breeding program among U.S. zoos and aquariums. The goal is to improve the genetics of the entire population to ensure that African penguins in human care can thrive. In the wild, however, African penguins are critically endangered and at risk of extinction.
In 2024, two chicks were hatched at Mystic Aquarium – one male and one female. Dating back to 1990, Mystic Aquarium has successfully hatched 44 penguin chicks. Twenty-nine of these were hatched as part of the Species Survival Plan.
Newly hatched African penguins are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and are covered in fluffy grey down. They grow very quickly and after just a few months, can weigh as much as an adult. Usually around 16-monthsold, they will molt into their distinctive black and white feathers.
Rather than traditional names, Mystic Aquarium uses a color-coding system to identify each penguin. The 2024 additions are Black/ Purple and Black/Black. When you visit Mystic Aquarium’s penguin habitat, look for the colored beads on their flippers.
BLACK/PURPLE & BLACK/BLACK
African Penguins
Hatched February and March 2024
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
George M. Milne, Jr.,
Ph.D. (Chairman) Senior Partner, Radius Ventures, LLC
Tom Mosey (Vice Chair)
President & CEO, Mini Melts, Inc.
John Holstein (Treasurer) Principal & CEO, First H&M Corporation
Joli Lyn Gross (Secretary)
SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, United Rentals, Inc.
Rodney Butler
Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Edward W. Cassidy CEO, Saybrus Partners
Peter G. Drakos
Attorney, The Law Office of Peter Drakos, LLC
Veronica Dowling COO & CFO, Dowling & Hales, LLC
Patrick L. Green, FACHE CEO, University of Florida Health
Cecilie Heidenreich Jedlicka President, Heidenreich Enterprise L.P.
Richard M. Katz, M.D.
Griffin Hospital (Retired)
Sarah E. Kelly, Ph.D.
Owner, TGIR Consulting (Retired)
Peter W. Kuhn
CEO, North America OML, Inc.
Michael P. Lech
President, READCO Portfolio
Alex Marku
Owner, A Beautiful Company and Buon Appetito Ristorante
Tom Marra
Symetra Financial Corporation (Retired)
Steven Perrelli
Vice President of Sales & Center Operations, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Northern New England, Inc.
B. Michael Rauh, Jr.
Chelsea Groton Bank (Retired)
Jason Richard Reese Principal, Alinea Strategic Solutions
Antonio Roberto Connecticut Innovations (Retired)
Paul O. Robertson
Deputy Commissioner / COO, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
Tan Hee Teck
Chairman & CEO, Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd
Robert Williams, Jr.
Senior Managing Director, JH Whitney Capital Partners
TRUSTEES EMERITUS
Terry D. Garcia
CEO, Exploration Ventures
Carolyn P. Kelly Attorney, Suisman Shapiro
Daniel C. Verdier
Cirrus Construction Company, Inc. (Retired)
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL
Robert Valenti (Chairman)
President, Valenti Ford
Robert Billington, Ed.D.
President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Christopher P. Bruhl
Melinda Carlisle Real Estate Broker, Randall Realtors
Lou Carrier President, Distinctive Hospitality Group
Dr. Jon C. Cook
Vice President of Research, Pfizer, Inc. (Retired)
Kurt Harrington CEO, Something Fishy, Inc.
Thomas Liguori Attorney, Urso Liguori Micklich
Fatima Matos, Ph.D. Pfizer, Inc. (Retired)
Bill Middleton
Owner, Cannonball Management Group
Joanne F. Moukawsher
Vice President, Import Auto, Utd.
Christine Naktenis
Robert J. O’Shaughnessy Connecticut State Police (Retired)
Robert J. Patten
Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley
Peggy Roberts
Elisse A. Rosen Consultant
Jennifer Schwindt
Tony Sheridan
President, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut
Karen E. Strasshofer, CPA
Deb Gros Torraca, DPT, MSPT, CCRP
Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Emeritus, Wizard of Paws
Sandra Worth
President & Owner, Mystic Transportation
OPERATING REVENUE
$1,603,447
$2,952,249
$1,858,061
$5,105,293
$48,718
$2,165,343
$16,495,479
Other Programs/Classes
Operating Grants Donations
Auxilary Operations Memberships Admissions
TOTAL: $30,228,590
OPERATING EXPENSES
$2,880,871
$3,519,965
$3,270,028
$7,416,500
$2,709,834
$711,472
$4,239,631
$250,884
$1,222,792
$1,294,086
$1,501,378
Research & Veterinary
TOTAL: $29,017,441
Education
Research & Veterinary
Visitor Services
Education
Zoological Operations
Visitor Services
Marketing
Development
Zoological Operations
Technology
Marketing
Exhibits
Development
Facilities
Technology
Human
Resources
Exhibits
Administration
Facilities
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTERS
$1,000,000 +
US Fish and Wildlife Service
$100,000 - $499,999
Connecticut American Rescue Plan
Connecticut Department of CD 2025
National Science Foundation
Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts
$50,000 - $99,999
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Estate of Curtis Spicer
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Rhode Island Department of Education
$25,000 - $49,999
Aquarion Water Company
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
Janice Spencer Calkin Foundation
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
SBM Charitable Foundation
$10,000 - $24,999
Allionce Group, LLC
The Artac Seel Company
ASA Environmental Products, Inc.
Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast
Eversource Energy Foundation
Hilton Mystic
Holstein Foundation
Kitchings Family Foundation
Mystic Transportation
Naktenis Family Foundation
The Per and Astrid Heidenreich
Family Foundation
Pfizer
Reese Family Charitable Fund
Robert and Joanna Williams
Family Foundation
Rousseau Family Charitable Foundation
Stoneridge Senior Care, LLC
Woman’s Seaman’s Friend Society of Connecticut
$5,000 - $9,999
A Beautiful Company,
General Contractors, LLC
AARP
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
Automated Business Solutions
Beth Collins MD
Carlin Construction Company, LLC
Chelsea Groton Bank
CohnReznick, LLP
Cooperative Funeral Fund
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Green & Sklarz, LLC
The Haversham Tavern
Jaguar Land Rover Fairfield
Liberty Bank
The Normandy Group
Orchard Farm Foundation
The Patten-Wright Group
at Morgan Stanley
Petit Family Foundation
Professional Planning Group
Rhode Island Foundation
Stifel Financial Corp
Valenti Auto Mall
The Whaler’s Inn
$2,500 - $4,999
85th Day Food Community
Ann Luedke Lobdell Family Foundation
Asahi / America Inc.
AT&T
Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
Cannonball Management Inc
Cascade Asset Management
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
F&F Distributors
First Pic, Inc.
Grey Sail Brewing Company, LLC
Ledes Foundation
Nicholas & Allison Moore Fund
READCO Property Management, LLC
Suisman Shapiro
The Aegis Group, Morgan Stanley
The Hillery Company
The William W. Backus Hospital
Tow Foundation
$1,000 - $2,499
Cargill, Incorporated
Dell
Dixon Family Charitable Fund
Edward Jones Investments
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Import Auto, UTD
Men of Action
Merwin Memorial Free Clinic for Animals
Nick and Kate Kishfy Fund
Perry Charitable Fund
Pine Point School
Sea Services North America
Simply Majestic
Something Fishy, Inc.
Spicer Plus Inc.
Starbucks Coffee Company
Synchrony Financial
Two Little Fish, Inc.
Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Young Again Foundation
$500 - $999
ABC Photo Lab
Advantage Personal Training
American Express
Boyden
BWX Technologies
CK Restaurant Group
Dog Watch Cafe
Elsie A. Brown Fund, Inc.
Gary Gerstein & Phyllis Weaver Family Fund
Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co.
Matunuck Oyster Bar
McQuade’s Marketplace
McRoberts
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Mystic Diner
Mystic Fitness
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Oak View Group
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce
PC Restoration
Power Posse Productions, LLC
Raytheon Technologies
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Ryan Herco Flow Solutions
The Shipwright’s Daughter
Simply Pharmacy
Sullivan & LeShane
Sutherland’s Organic Solutions
Toast + Tonic Creative Kitchen
True Value Home Center
United Theatre
Whalers Brewing Company
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS
$125,000 +
Carol and George Milne
$20,000 - $50,000
Anonymous
Joli Gross
Deborah Holmsen and Brian Leedom
Dr. Richard Katz
Michelle and Thomas Marra
Angela and David Miller
$10,000 - $24,999
Stephanie Ackler and Peter Chapin
Adriana DeGabriel and Edward Cassidy
Shonah and Peter Drakos
Cheryl and Travis Gamble
Muriel N. Hinkle
Dr. Sarah Kelly and Ken Sigel
Dr. Fátima Matos and Dr. Hans Rollema
Bill Middleton
Elisse Rosen
Sandy Senior-Dauer and Keith Dauer
Susette Tibus and Chuck Sneddon
Melissa and Daniel Verdier
Kathleen and Andrew Worthington
Laura and Andrew Wyeth
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
Christopher J. Berman
Elizabeth and Andrew Burchard
Guy Carver
Victoria and Rob Christian
Hylar Friedman
Fran and Craig Haines
Cecilie and Mike Jedlicka
Alisa Macneille and Peter Kuhn
Rajmonda and Alex Marku
Jane and Dan Meiser
Michelle and Steven Pagella
Ana and Jeffrey Schneider
Karen and
Daniel Strasshofer
Debra Wetherby
Sandra and Brian Worth
$2,500 - $4,999
Kristen and Del-Bourree Bach
Mary Barravecchia
Amy and Daniel Carlin
Lorna and Michael Gallagher
Barbara Holland-Emberton
Abbey Holstein and
Harry Boardsen
Amy Kirschner and Frank Bernardo
Jennifer Marble and Matan Kurman
Dan Wu and Michael C. Linhares
Ann Lobdell and Mark Scott
Patty and Matthew Luxton
Constance and Terence Markey
Amy and Brad Morris
Heather Nealon-Champagne and Andrew Champagne
Carol and Edward Sauers
Susan Schussler
Alicia and Thomas Settle
Shobha Venkatraman
Dr. Karen Walters
$1,000 - $2,499
Anonymous
Frances Ashley
Melanie and Philip Barnett
Barbara and Vincent Bernardo
Rebecca and Ronald Bizick
Molly and Stephen Boyle
Carly and Matthew Callahan
Ysidra and Kevin Carroll
Jane and John Conelly
Judith and Jon Cook
Heidi Curren
Alison Davenport and John Moriarty
Jackie Desmond
Colin Donahue
Kimberly Dreier and Julianna Rick
John Drew
Carol and William Dunn
Heather and Campbell Field
Candis Gioia
LaNece and Patrick Green
William Griffin IV
Lisa and Jason Guyot
Elisabeth and Lee Harrell
Lynn and Stephen Hazard
Laurie and Jack Heflin
Benjamin Jackson
Holly and Michael Johnson
Courtney Katzenstein
Mallory and Brian Koitz
Deborah and Richard Kollmeyer
Dawn Lewis and Robert Wood
Rita Madison
Gjovalin Marku
Kastriot Marku
Petrit Marku
Lenore Milner
Richard Nagele
Britta and Denis Nayden
Peter Nikolaisen
Stephen Norton
Geraldine O’Shannon
Katie and Jeffrey Pelczar
William A. Petit
Tara and Gary Piccone
Suzette Roberts
Kathryn G. Rush
Thomas Sanford
Erika and Ari Santiago
Catherine and Karel Steiner
Sky and Alan Todd
Carol and Mike Toner
Deborah and Robert Valenti
Deborah and
Robert Valentine
Lindsay and Tyler Van Buren
Tara and Scott Watson
Karin Whittemore and Peter Kepple
Maxine and Donald Williams
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Susan and Richard Arling
Laura Batt and
Daniel Hungerman
Wendy Benchley
Marcela and Carlos Bledt
Martha and John Bradshaw
Marc Brookman
Dr. Ann C. Bucklin
Holly S. Burt
Dionne and Rodney Butler
Lewis Cain
Kathy Calkins
Melanie and Todd Drevo
Ruth and Frank Condon
Joshua Davis and Ryan Mansi
Henry Duques
Alan Shawn Feinstein
Virginia Ferrari and Joseph Cennamo
Barbara and Ivor Freeman
Barbara and Marc Ginsberg
Mark Goldberg
Stephanie Gong and Scott Duques
Brooks Goodison
Jennifer Grassy
Donna and Paul Gricus
Brigid Rooney and John Hall
Karen and Edward Havrilla
Barbara Hernandez
Patty and William Holmberg
Barbara and Raymond Jacobsen
Carrie Johnson
Margaret and James Kelley
Karen and Frank Knapp
Todd Liebman
John Meyer
Rosemarie and Donald Mondani
Gail Narita
Jennifer and Jeffrey Possick
Denise and Lucas Raymond
Diane Reynolds
Melissa and John Sapia
Sallie and James Schwartz
June Seacor
Susan and Geoffrey Sewall
Margaret and Thomas Sheridan
Virginia Shugrue
Cinda and James Spavins
Ashli Suprise
June and Robert Valenti
Jane C. and Norman R. Wainwright
Suzie Walker
Ellen and Howard Weiss
Susan Wiedmann
Cheri and Kevin Williams
Robert Wolff
Joanna Wolkowski and Susan West
GIFTS IN HONOR OF
Courtney and David Berwind
- Debra Wetherby
MacKenzie Carney
- Amy Walsh
Michael Ciccarello
- Anthony Ciccarello
Laurie and Tom Green
- Barbara and Ivor Freeman
Ella Kennedy
- Alice Drake
Emma McCord
- Jennifer Ireland
- Emily Matlock
- Jenny McCord
- Megan Odle
Andrew McDermott
- Raffaella Agostino
- Jennifer Durham-Fowler
Daniel Schosser
- Lisa Loret
- Charlene Schosser
Vivian Showalter
- Jeanne and Steve Sigel
Mia Swanson
- Melissa and Tory Swanson
Madison Williamson
- Rachel Bradford
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF
Carlos Mauricio Bledt
- Marcela and Carlos Bledt
Lisa-Jo D’Annolfo
- Carolyn and Kenneth D’Annolfo
- Donna and Steven Angeletti
- Katrina Arthur
- Brooks Goodison
- Nathan Peterson
- Oliver Smith
James Gerber
- Sherri Burdette and Walter Hewitt
- Cindy and Bob Craft
- Jeanne C. Foley
- Michelle Kinberg
- Louise and Durrell Rader
- Carol and Edward Sauers
- Lois and Colin Smith
Walter Klein
- Robin Bockol
David Thurlow
- Stephen Norton
- David Peske
- Patricia Thurlow
Henry Titrington
- Amanda Stevens
John Walker
- John Calnan
- William and Patty Holmberg
- Deirdre Ross
- Jessica and Frank Tarara
- Maria Tarara
- Suzie Walker
IN-KIND GIVING
Dave’s Coffee
Hylar Friedman
Grey Sail Brewing Company, LLC
Kellogg Marine
Power Posse Productions, LLC
Sift Bake Shop
Something Fishy, Inc.
Veritable Distillery, LLC
Weekapaug Golf Club
THE MISSION OF MYSTIC AQUARIUM IS TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO CARE FOR AND PROTECT OUR OCEAN PLANET THROUGH CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.