A PUBLICATION FROM THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM
MAGAZINE
SPRING
LETTER FROM OUR CEO
Greetings members and friendS PROUD PARTNERS:
The big plan
We are now just two short months away from the opening of Caribbean Journey! Many of the trees and other plants are beginning to take root, and the first few tropical fish have been introduced into the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef habitat. After three years of planning, 30 months of construction, and almost six years of fundraising, we are nearing the end of an amazing journey. Thanks to so many of you, the completion of our Campaign Caribbean capital campaign is within our grasp. As of this printing, over $46 million toward our $50 million goal has been committed to help fund this ambitious program. To put that in perspective, our last capital campaign, which generated the support to build Dolphin Bay, came in at just over $15 million. As Daniel Burnham, the famous American architect once said, “Make no little plans…”
“A visit to the
Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, Frost Bank, Gentry Co., Green Mountain Energy, Pattern Gulf Wind, LLC American Bank, CC General & Implant Dentistry, First Community Bank, NuStar Energy, Occidental Chemical Corporation, The Bend Magazine, ValueBank Texas
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Caribbean Journey will provide a strong platform for Aquarium our continued growth over the next decade. One of our objectives is to expand our Wildlife Care, becomes a Conservation, and Research Fund program in order to support the work of scientists in the Yucatan conservation region of Mexico. You can learn more about these action.” programs and the important work that these researchers are doing as you explore the new Caribbean Journey. We will have opportunities for you to make a direct contribution to help support these efforts. So, as you enjoy your Texas State Aquarium, you are not only helping to underwrite educational programming that reaches over 75,000 students and teachers each year, you are helping rehabilitate the hundreds of injured birds and marine turtles that we treat each year, and you will be actively involved in helping save animals from extinction. A visit to the Aquarium becomes a conservation action, one that you and your family can be proud of. You are making a difference, just by visiting. So come often, and enjoy the Caribbean at your Texas State Aquarium, and thank for making our vision, and our “big plan” come true.
Tom Schmid President and CEO
SPRING 2017
Your Aquarium
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or more than 25 years, the Texas State Aquarium has reached millions of families and students and inspired conservation through our Gulf of Mexico exhibits, presentations, and programs. In May 2017, we will be taking the next huge leap forward with Caribbean Journey. Caribbean Journey guides you through immersive habitats depicting the jungles and seas of the Caribbean to encounter birds, sharks, tropical fish, and other exotic species. It will catapult the aquarium into a nationally-recognized aquarium, making it a leader in supporting conservation in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond. Caribbean Journey will also increase the Aquarium’s contributions to local economic development and will drive growth in the tourism industry. The Aquarium will provide more jobs and millions in tax revenue to the Corpus Christi area, and will be a place where millions more visitors and families will come to bond, learn and discover together. With the help of our members, guests, and other supporters, the Aquarium will continue to play a major role in our community for years to come. We invite you to help us complete Caribbean Journey by donating to our Campaign Caribbean. In recognition of your generosity, contributions of $1,000 and above will be permanently recognized on the Caribbean Journey Founder’s Wall. Donations of any size are appreciated.
MORE INFORMATION OR TO DONATE Development Office 361-881-1340 texasstateaquarium.org/founders-campaign
SPRING 2017
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AQUARIUM NEWS
Where the Wild Things Are Caribbean Animals Arrive
Xena the Linnaeus's two-toed sloth is sure to be a crowd-favorite in Caribbean Journey, where guests can visit her in the jungle exhibit. She’s charmed her trainers with her friendly nature and surprising quickness as she aribbean Journey is well on its way. climbs from limb to limb and munches Along with trees, plants, and tropical on her favorite snack of romaine fish, we have other exotic species lettuce. In January, Xena made one of arriving at their new home, including her first high-profile appearance at flamingos, bats, crocodiles, and even a Creature Tales to cap off the reading of sloth. a children’s story about a sloth. Dozens
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Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth
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of her young adoring fans were thrilled to meet the superstar of the book in person and enjoyed learning about sloth behavior in the wild. Over a dozen Caribbean flamingos have also touched down at Caribbean Journey. While they are not even a year old, each of them has begun sprouting the pink feathers they’re known for. In Caribbean Journey, these vibrant pink flamingos will welcome each of our guests as they first enter the jungle exhibit. The flamingos are now adapting to their new home, and are sharing space with other colorful Caribbean Journey residents, including the brilliantly-colored scarlet ibis. Several other tropical birds have arrived to bring the bright colors of the Caribbean to the new building. Lola the Keel-billed toucan, with her radiant tropical colors of yellow, green, and red and her characteristic large beak, is a sight to be seen as she nimbly hops from branch to branch. Sun conures, adorned in gold, scarlet, and green plumage, will reside in the free flight
SPRING 2017
aviary, soaring among the trees. Joining them will be blue-crowned motmots, a South American bird species with vivid colors and a long ornamental tail. And of course, the Caribbean Journey wouldn’t be complete without the fish, reptiles, and amphibians native to the Yucatan Peninsula. Morelet’s crocodiles will soon take up residence in Caribbean Journey's Karst pool. Their fellow reptiles, including iguanas, tortoises, and the aptly-named red-tailed boa Julius Squeezer, will also be in the jungle exhibit. More and more tropical fish are coming in and will soon be introduced to the Coral Reef and Blue Hole exhibits. We’ve also welcomed the reef sharks which will prowl among an ancient shipwreck in the H-E-B Caribbean Shark Habitat. These infamous ocean predators will glide by just inches from you, making you feel like a part of their world. You’ll soon get a chance to meet each of these exotic animals when Caribbean Journey opens in May 2017. We can’t wait to make the introduction.
SPRING 2017
Keel-billed toucan
Morelet’s crocodile
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AQUARIUM NEWS
Room with a View
Caribbean Journey’s Private Event Space
A School for the World The Aquavision Distance Learning Program
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very year, thousands of school children visit the Aquarium to get up-close interactions with animals and gain valuable knowledge about marine life and ocean conservation. But the Aquarium also reaches thousands of other children each year with the same types of lessons, even if these students have never set foot in Texas.
Caribbean Journey’s dining room
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fter regular hours, Caribbean Journey will continue to awe its guests in a unique private event space located on the top floor of the building.
formal events while a wall of glass windows let natural light in and give you another view out at downtown Corpus Christi.
A large dining room with seating for up to 300 people will be available for weddings, parties, corporate gatherings and other events. This event space is already in high demand – after all, it will be a venue like no other. The first thing you’ll notice will be the view, overlooking the magnificent Corpus Christi Bayfront on one side and the exotic Caribbean jungle exhibit on the other. Venture outside onto the open-air balcony to really take in the sights.
Outside of the dining hall, you can gather for cocktails in a banquet hall situated above the Caribbean jungle. See bright tropical birds flying among the trees and hear their songs ring out from the jungle. Look at Caribbean Journey’s aquatic residents through a window in the floor or even step onto the acrylic to dance above the sharks and tropical fish.
Gaze out over the Corpus Christi Bay to see the Art Museum, the American Bank Center, and other highlights of the city, making it an ideal location for photos. You may even be lucky enough to catch the sunset over the ocean. Inside, an ornate ceiling adds a touch of class to the most
Caribbean Journey Grand Opening
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fter months of anticipation, Caribbean Journey’s grand opening has been set for mid-May. We’re inviting all of our members and treasured guests to celebrate this momentous occasion when we officially open our doors to the public. Caribbean Journey is sure to impress our guests, transporting them from South Texas to the jungles and seas of
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Altogether, Caribbean Journey is guaranteed to give hosts and their guests an awe-inspiring location that will provide unbelievable photos and memories to last a lifetime. To reserve your event in Caribbean Journey today, call 361-653-2655 or visit online at texasstateaquarium.org/private-events
the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Cross through a waterfall and explore a jungle pathway and Mayan Ruins to encounter reptiles, tropical birds, and more. Then, dive under the sea to be among vibrant coral, tropical fish, stingrays, and even reef sharks.
With the Aquavision Distance Learning program, the Aquarium provides access to our animals and professionals through web-based video conferencing technology from anywhere in the world. Through the Internet, students receive an engaging and interactive introduction to ocean life, all without having to leave their classroom. Aquavision teachers use a number of high-tech education tools to grab students’ attention and make them feel as if they’re visiting the Aquarium in-person. Using webcams located in several exhibits, instructors can give the children a live view of sharks, otters, sea turtles, dolphins, and other Aquarium residents. “Biofacts” such as real shark jaws and turtle shells are also shown to students, showing them a side to ocean life they’ve never seen before. Students leave Aquavision lessons buzzing with excitement and eager to protect the environment and learn more about animals. To reserve a session with Aquavision, email aquavision@txstateaq.org or call 361-881-1203.
We can’t thank our members enough for their support, without which the vision for Caribbean Journey might never have been realized. We’re excited to finally show you Caribbean Journey in-person!
SPRING 2017
Second Chances
Our Wildlife Rehabilitation Successes O
ur Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program has already celebrated several major accomplishments in 2017. In January, we were proud to announce that we rescued and released more birds in 2016 than in the previous year. Our staff treated 346 birds, 88 more than in 2015, personally rescued 113 birds, and released 125 back into their natural habitat. This stellar year for wildlife rehabilitation was credited to an increase in highly-trained staff, which
allowed more rescuers to personally go out into the community to retrieve birds which needed help.
A rehabilitated Swainson’s hawk
One of our favorite stories of 2017 so far has been the recent release of several green sea turtles back into the ocean. These sea turtles were admitted to our hospital after being cold-stunned, and our staff was able to warm them and give them medical treatment until they were ready for release. In mid-January, a crowd of hundreds gathered at Padre Island National Seashore to see these turtles released back into the ocean. Read more about these turtles and their happy ending on the next page.
346 birds treated Second Chances staff and volunteers prepare to release rehabilitated sea turtles.
Rehabilitated and released brown pelicans
SPRING 2017
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Second Chances
Second Chances staff and volunteers prepare to release rehabilitated sea turtles.
A rehabilitated green sea turtle
Shell Shocked Aquarium Rescues and Releases Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles
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n an especially cold January weekend in Corpus Christi, staff at the Padre Island National Seashore were busy combing the beaches for sea turtles. In the days to follow, volunteers, citizens, and park officials would turn up dozens of sea turtles, many of them near-death. The cause of this tragedy was cold-stunning, a hypothermic reaction sea turtles can develop during sudden cold weather. As cold-blooded reptiles, sea turtles cannot regulate their own body temperature and will migrate to warmer water during colder months. But when water temperatures plummet with little warning, sea turtles often don’t have time to
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adapt. Their bodies nearly shut down in the frigid water and they are unable to properly swim or eat. These cold-stunned turtles are often found stranded on beaches and coastlines. To help as many turtles as possible, the Padre Island National Seashore called in the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program to assist, and soon more than 20 green sea turtles were admitted to the Second Chances hospital for treatment. Our highly-trained staff warmed up the turtles, gave them additional medical treatment, and they were soon declared ready for release.
To report stranded sea turtles CALL 1-866TURTLE-5
Island National Seashore staff and Second Chances staff combined forces to give the crowd an up-close look at each turtle before gently placing them into the shallows to swim away. Locals and rescuers applauded, each of them overjoyed to see these endangered animals get another chance at life. To help turtles like these survive future cases of cold-stunning, you can keep an eye out for them on colder days. If you locate a stranded turtle, do not attempt to touch or handle it, but call 1-866-TURTLE-5 to notify wildlife rescuers who can pick up the turtle and arrange for its treatment.
On Monday, January 16, about a week after their rescue, these sea turtles made their triumphant return to the ocean at the Padre Island National Seashore in front of a crowd of hundreds of locals and tourists. Padre
SPRING 2017
Conservation Spotlight
Fish for Forever Why sustainable seafood matters
replenish their populations. With sustainable seafood, everyone wins; the ocean maintains a healthy balance, fishers make a steady living, and your favorite seafood is always on the menu. To make sure you’re only selecting sustainable fish at the market or restaurants, just ask for fish or shellfish harvested in the Gulf of Mexico or the United States. This is because Gulf and U.S. fisheries remain among the best-managed in the world. You can also research online the companies that you usually buy your seafood from or ask a supplier if their fish comes from local sources.
Participating chefs at January’s Seafood Wars
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o you like seafood? Do you want to help maintain a healthy ocean and ensure people the world over are healthy and well-fed? If you answered yes to any of these, then you should make sure the seafood you’re eating is sustainable. With global populations skyrocketing and fishing methods becoming more efficient, fish populations the world over are being dangerously depleted. In some cases, a fish population can drop to the point that it becomes unable to sustain itself. Just one type of fish being removed can disrupt an entire marine ecosystem, resulting in even more species dying off.
make it clear that they’ll only settle for responsibly-caught sustainable seafood. Sustainable seafood consists of fish and shellfish that are caught or farmed with consideration for the long-term health of the species. Sustainable seafood fishers and industries set guidelines that prevent overfishing and other destructive fishing methods while guaranteeing the livelihood of fishers and other workers that depend on the seafood industry. Basically, sustainable seafood supporters help ensure that harvested fish have the time and resources to
We’ve still got a lot of work to do to ensure sustainable fish in the new standard around the world, but it looks like many consumers are finally getting an appetite for seafood with a future.
To make matters worse, the fishing nets that many fishing boats use often snare endangered species. While these animals were not intended to be caught, this ‘bycatch’ is often still killed in the process. Fishing nets continue to pose a major threat to endangered species including the vaquita and sea turtles, even though they weren’t meant to be caught in the first place. To help turn the tide against bycatch and overfishing, consumers need to
SPRING 2017
To promote the importance of healthy oceans and plentiful seafood, we hold our signature Seafood Wars event several times a year. At each event, three chefs prepare a seafood dish using sustainably harvested and farm-raised fish and shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico. Guests can sample each dish and select a winning chef and hear from a regional fisheries expert about sustainable seafood issues. We’ve gotten an overwhelming response from these events, with 90 percent of Seafood Wars diners say they are more likely to purchase the fish served that evening than they were before the event.
To learn more about sustainable seafood and how you can support it, visit
texasstateaquarium.org/seafoodwars
A Seafood Wars chef prepares his seafood dish
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CALENDAR
11MAR
19MAY
Splash Park Opens Just in time for spring and summer, the H-E-B Splash Park is returning to full operation. Our popular wetscape play area, complete with spray jets, water cannons, and other interactive water features, has undergone renovations for the new season and will soon be ready to provide gallons of fun to our younger guests.
Endangered Species Day
18APR
Seafood Wars
Top-notch chefs once more go head-to-head to prepare the best sustainable seafood dish, with our guests being the judges. A speaker will also be present to discuss sustainable seafood and why it’s important. Only one chef can come out on top, but with the chance to enjoy gourmet food and learn about an important cause, everyone’s a winner.
13-15MAR
Hours of Operation Summer Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Sunday (begins March 1)
Spring Break Mini-Camp Spend a little time with the inhabitants of the Texas State Aquarium during your Spring Break! Let your imagination take flight along with our birds, or dance with the dolphins in Dolphin Bay. You never know where the day will take you, so come explore it with us. Camps will be held for Kindergarten – 5th graders.
11-19MAR
Make the Most of the Coast We invite our Spring Break guests to “Make the Most of the Coast” with extended hours. For one week, we will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., giving Spring Breakers an extra two hours to enjoy our exhibits, wildlife presentations, and the H-E-B Splash Park. On March 20, the Aquarium returns to regular operating hours.
Come to the Aquarium to learn more about endangered species and how you can protect them in the wild. Learn about the Aquarium’s continued efforts to preserve these species for future generations. Visit our endangered sea turtles, and learn what we’re doing to help rehabilitated turtles return to the ocean. Have you heard about the vaquita? Learn how we’re working to save the vaquita, a porpoise whose wild population has been reduced to under 30.
How To Contact Us:
22APR
Party for the Planet The Aquarium puts its own spin on Earth Day with fun games, crafts, and giveaways. Learn about ways you can keep the planet healthy and make a difference. Activities are free with your Aquarium admission.
texasstateaquarium.org
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) 881-1307 Naturalist Office (361) 881-1250 Injured Animal (361) 881-1210 Membership (361) 881-1341 Shoreline Grill (361) 881-1239 Volunteers (361) 881-1381 Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation: (361) 881-1210 The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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Winter Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Sunday (begins Labor Day)