SUMMER
2019
LETTER FROM OUR CEO
CORPORATE PARTNERS
GREETINGS MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, It’s that time of year; sharks have been in the news lately. A fisherman from Texas, fishing in Florida, apparently fell into the water while trying to land a large tarpon and was bitten by what was believed to be an eightfoot bull shark. Considered the third-most dangerous shark in terms of number of attacks, after tiger and white sharks, bull sharks can be found in coastal waters, even swimming up rivers into fresh water. Fortunately, it was a “bite and release,” and the Texas fisherman is expected to make full recovery. In Texas, Florida and California, over a hundred million people visit the beach each year. Not surprisingly, beaches are the number-one draw for leisure travelers coming to the Coastal Bend for a vacation, and on average, about one person per year is bitten by a shark in Texas waters, based on data from the International Shark Attack File. Not to worry; according to National Geographic, your odds of being killed by a shark are about 1 in 3.7 million. Sharks have much more to fear from humans. Millions of sharks are harvested each year, in many cases for their fins alone. As apex predators, sharks play a pivotal role in the marine food web. Coastal sharks need our protection, much more so than we need protection from them. You can learn more about shark research and conservation by visiting our special exhibition, Saving Sharks.
Allison Flooring America CC General & Implant Dentistry Devary Durrill Foundation Gowland, Strealy, Morales & Company Hicks Automotive Group Labatt Food Service NuStar Energy Occidental Chemical Corporation Pattern Gulf Wind, LLC Republic Services, Inc. Western Steel Co.
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And now a quick update on the flamingo crisis in South Africa. As we reported last quarter, thousands of flamingo hatchlings were abandoned due to drought conditions in the North Cape region of South Africa. A heroic emergency rescue response by aquariums and zoos from all over the world was launched. As of this printing, over 200 flamingos are being prepared for release. You can read more about the ongoing rescue effort in this issue of the STAR. Enjoy the summer (and the beach), and I look forward to seeing you soon here at your Texas State Aquarium.
Tom Schmid President and CEO SUMMER 2019
ANIMAL SPOTLIGHT
North American river otters S U P R E M E LY- S K I L L E D S W I M M E R S If any animal has mastered the art of summer fun, it might be the river otter. Life is literally a beach for our two energetic marine mammals, Merlin and Arrie, who spent almost all their time frolicking in their lush aquatic exhibit, chowing down daily meals of fish, and napping on the shore. Even though their playscape of rocks, waterfalls and plants offers these otters plenty of opportunities for fun, their environment is also regularly enhanced by Animal Care staff for “enrichment.” Freshlycut palm fronds from our front lawn are often placed throughout the exhibit, or their food may be hidden beneath shells and rock work to give them an activity that helps keep their minds sharp and encourages their natural behaviors. On their birthdays, the otters can even get special “cakes” decorated with ice, gelatin and fish! Speaking of environmental enhancements, the Aquarium is offering plenty of new and returning experiences to help you make the most of the summer, including the daily opening of the H-E-B Splash Park, a new 4D film, and more. Read on to discover the adventures available at the Aquarium this summer!
River otters are the ultimate swimmers! They can dive to depths of up to 60 feet and hold their breath for 8 minutes!
SUMMER 2019
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LETTER FROM OUR CEO
Kids of the Coastal Bend, rejoice! The H-E-B Splash Park, our water playground, is now open daily for summer. The unique playscape will offer gallons of fun to our guests and members from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. through Sept. 6, Labor Day. Admission to this wet and wild experience is included with admission or membership. So next time you stop by the Aquarium, don’t forget your swimsuit!
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SUMMER 2019
Photo courtesy of Heidi Ray Photography
Catering Team
Two films featuring plenty of frozen fun are now playing in our Whataburger 4D Theater! As always, these interactive experiences are included at no extra cost with your admission or membership.
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trip to the Aquarium offers plenty of sensory experiences including stunning sights, sounds and even hands-on touch experiences – and thanks to our catering team, some delicious dining options to delight your taste buds as well. You may have seen our superstar restaurant services team serving up coffee, burgers, salads, wraps and dozens of other dishes during your visit, but did you know they also provide world-class catering for our after-hours events? When weddings, corporate gatherings, and others come to celebrate at the Aquarium, our expert chefs, cooks and other culinary champions make sure that great food helps create great memories.
Smallfoot 4D Experience
Recently, our catering team won the number-one spot at the “Souper Bowl” benefiting Metro Ministries, a charitable event at the Art Center of Corpus Christi, with a delectable clam chowder. Learn more about catering and the other bonuses of an Aquarium event at texasstateaquarium.org/private-events.
SUMMER 2019
Planet Earth: Ice Worlds 4D Experience ®
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aQUARIUM NEWS
TAK IN G A B IT E out of sharks MYTHS
July is around the corner, and with it, Shark Week! Before you dive into the toothy terrifying footage that sure to be featured on the Discovery Channel, discover the truth behind some common shark myths and see if you can see another side to the shark than the one that Hollywood and cable TV often portrays.
MYTH
Sharks are gigantic toothy maneaters
MYTH
Sharks are dangerous to humans
TRUTH
Sharks only kill about 6 people a year, worldwide. By comparison, humans kill 100 million sharks per year!
MYTH
Sharks are mindless killers
TRUTH Sharks are far smarter and more peaceful than you might think – they’ve show signs of intelligence like cooperative hunting and recognizing people – and will most often shy away from human activity.
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TRUTH Sharks range in all sizes – from the bus-sized whale shark to the inches-long dwarf lantern shark and eat all kinds of food including plankton and fish …but human is rarely on the menu.
MYTH
There’s plenty of sharks in the sea
TRUTH
Sadly, 1/3 of shark species are facing extinction, and with them gone, the ocean and its sea life could soon perish, since sharks help maintain the ocean’s delicate natural balance.
SUMMER 2019
AQUARIUM NEWS
WANT TO HELP SHARKS?
There are a few things you can do to help these misunderstood creatures... • Sign a petition to tell Congress to ban the trade of shark fins in the U.S. • Reduce, reuse, and recycle • Share the truth – rather than the myth – about sharks
SUMMER 2019
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Marvel at mysterious undersea nightlife, enjoy dinner and drinks with friends, join in the Bid Board and Live Auction and dance the night away with The Pictures– Austin’s A-List eight-piece, high-energy variety band. All proceeds will help build the new Texas Center for Wildlife Rescue, Recovery and Research at the Texas State Aquarium. For table sales and sponsorships contact: Courtney Cook McLain - 361-881-1255 cmclain@txstateaq.org
BIRDS OF A FEATHER Zoos and Aquariums Help Save Hundreds of Flamingos
medical care and even designing and building a specialized holding area for the rehabilitating birds.
In our last issue we shared how, with your help, we were able to assist with the globally-coordinated rescue of abandoned flamingos in South Africa.
After months of hard work by zoo and aquarium representatives and other dedicated animal rescuers, many of Now, more than 350 of these rescued birds have been returned to their these flamingos have returned home to start the rest of their lives back natural habitat! in their natural habitat. The birds These flamingos were among the thousands that were rescued in were “quarantined” upon arrival into January from a dried-out Kamfers Dam, an important breeding location Kimberley in May, where rescuers in South Africa’s Kimberly region, back in January. Since local rescuers placed bands on the birds to help were overwhelmed by the sudden influx of birds needing help, the identify them, performed physical chicks were transported to conservation centers around the country. evaluations and screened them for disease. Our own Curator of Birds & Mammals, Lauren Wilson, flew into South The birds were then released to rejoin Africa to assist with the care of the flamingos, including their feeding, their flock. In the days since they’ve first returned, rescuers on the ground report these birds are thriving! It’s because of people like YOU that we were able to make a difference for these flamingos. You can learn more about how your support of the Aquarium helps save wildlife in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and beyond at texasstateaquarium.org
SUMMER 2019
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Take the Trashtag Challenge!
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he Internet has seen its share of viral crazes in the past few years – ranging from planking – the act of laying facedown to resemble a wooden plank, the ghost pepper challenge, where participants tried to eat one of the world’s hottest peppers (spoiler: it rarely went well). The start of 2019 brought a welcome addition to the list of social media challenges – except thankfully this time, with a meaningful environmental focus. Trashtag was first proposed in 2015 but gained popularity in March 2019 following a viral Facebook post. In the challenge, users post “before” and “after” photographs of cleaned-up outdoor areas and ask others to join along. As it goes with many social media challenges, the naturally competitive nature led to a greater and greater scale of efforts, with some users removing literally tons of trash from their local coastlines and natural areas. With summer starting, there’s no better time to get out there and participate in Trashtag yourself to help make our beaches, parks, and outdoor areas more enjoyable for all! Despite the notorious short lifespan
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of most Internet challenges, Trashtag is still going strong, and you can join in now to help make a difference.
So, what are you waiting for? Send us your photos with the hashtag #trashtag and together, we’ll make the planet a better place to live for people and animals alike! SUMMER 2019
CALENDAR
MAY 25-SEPT 6 june 10 SUMMER HOURS
seacamp
Hours of Operation Summer Hours 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily H-E-B Splash Park Hours From Memorial Day to Labor Day Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. We’ll be open for extended hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. to celebrate summer! The H-E-B Splash Park will also be open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
June 8 world oceans day
Educational adventures await at our popular summer camp, where ocean explorers in Pre-K through 12 grades can learn, have fun, and make friends! Sign up at texasstateaquarium.org/seacamp
Contact Us: General Information (361) 881-1200 Development Office (361) 881-1340
july 4 fourth of july
Education & SeaCamp (361) 881-1204 Event Rentals (361) 881-1244 Group Reservations (361) 653-2602 Injured Animal (361) 881-1210 Membership (361) 881-1341 Volunteer Office (361) 881-1381 Wildlife Rescue and Recovery: (361) 881-1210 The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Discover how we can all save the ocean and its sea life with educational games and activities – all included with your admission or membership!
June 27 animal exploration
program: high school
Enjoy our animal exhibits, H-E-B Splash Park and more during the day, then join us after hours to see the city’s fireworks display! Ticket sales and more information coming soon on our website!
july 20
Volunteer Information Session
OUR MISSION To engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation.
FOLLOW US!
texasstateaquarium.org
Learn firsthand from Animal Care staff about what it takes to care for our fish and reptiles while exploring the Aquarium from behind the scenes! Learn more at texasstateaquarium.org/asep
SUMMER 2019
Become a part of our volunteers and help care for animals, make our guests feel welcome, and make the Aquarium an unforgettable experience. Learn more at texasstateaquarium. org/volunteer
The Texas State Aquarium has proudly printed this magazine on 100% post-consumer Forestry Stewardship Council recycled paper.
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1235 Corpus Christi, TX
SUMMER 2019
