FALL 2015FALL 2015

2 TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • WINTER 2014

LETTER FROM OUR CEO

TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • FALL 2015

The Texas State Aquarium is

Proud Partners with:

2

I hope many of you had a chance to visit the Aquarium over the summer. The hot, dry weather brought many visitors to the Coastal Bend, and we saw over 90,000 guests just during the month of July. Seeing the crowds come in eager to learn more about the Gulf of Mexico inspires all of us here at the Aquarium. It also reminds us about the importance of our work, both on site and off site.

In this issue of STAR, we are highlighting some of our outreach programming; we continue to look for new and innovative ways to share our stories and engage our visitors where they are, in addition to on site. And it certainly reminds us of the need to expand our capacity to deliver more programming on site.

Speaking of expanding, construction on the new Caribbean Wing is progressing at a rapid rate. As we go to press, the second level floor, which supports the shark exhibit and other aquariums, is finished, and the crews are building forms for the third floor, which will house the tropical jungle habitat. By early next year, the outer shell of the new wing will be largely complete.

Next begins the complex task of installing all of the mechanical systems, including plumb-ing, electrical systems, air conditioning, heat-ing, and the life support systems for all of the new aquariums. The final work consists of in-stalling the exhibits, the massive acrylic view-ing windows, hundreds of plants, commis-sioning the aquarium systems, adding natural seawater, and, the final and most important step, introducing the birds, reptiles, and thou-sands of new fish to their new homes.

As anyone that has been involved in a con-struction or renovation project knows, with this exciting growth comes some inconve-nience, such as the relocation of our ticketing area while we expand the lobby. I appreci-ate your patience and support as we work through these issues. Our goal is to try and minimize major disruptions to operations dur-ing our busy season. I’m sure you will agree it will be well worth it. In the meantime, continue to enjoy your Aquarium, and thank you for your support.

Tom SchmidPresident and CEO

Greetings from the Texas State Aquarium

AQUARIUM NEWS

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It reads like a plot straight of out a Spiel-berg film: a team of scientists, teachers, and researchers band together to map

out Tamu Massif, the world’s largest vol-cano. Why have most never seen or heard of the massive 400-mile wide geological phenomenon? It lurks 6,500 feet beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean, around 1,000 miles east of Japan.

The extinct shield volcano is no longer erupting and won’t be leading to world-wide destruction anytime soon, but it still interests scientists for a number of rea-sons. Leading Tamu Massif expert, marine geophysicist, and University of Houston Professor William Sager, Ph. D., specifically wants to learn more about the formation of the volcano, and if there are actually others like it.

The volcano, once thought to simply be part of the Shatsky Rise, an oceanic pla-teau, has recently been discovered by Sag-er and his team to be a singular volcano that was formed during the Late Jurassic

to Early Cretaceous period. More fascinat-ing still, the rise where Tamu Massif seems to have developed was likely formed from where plumes of magma from deep in the earth’s mantle punched through the crust, flooding the surface with lava. Another theory suggests pre-existing weaknesses in the crust, such as tectonic-plate bound-aries, provided passageways for magma from the mantle, the layer beneath the crust. Shatsky Rise formed atop a triple junction, where three plates pulled apart.

Sager, who has devoted 20 years to the study of Tamu Massif (which he also named), is finally going to visit it in person in order to better map and understand the volcano while on the 32-day voyage.

“It truly is a once in a career opportunity,” he said. “And it’s important for a variety of reasons, but we really want to get more students interested in science and excite them about this field of study.”

The Falkor, a Google ship, will be sailing with Sager and a team (including Aquarium Distance Learning and Outreach Manager Suraida Nanez-James) to the volcano site, where they will pass back and forth over it, collecting magnetic and depth data, as well as additional field information.

“It presents a lot of data and map anoma-lies, specifically a linear magnetic anomaly that we hope to better grasp. It’s kind of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation in respect to how an ocean plateau forms at an oce-anic ridge,” Sager explained.

Sager says the excursion will basically consist of “mowing the lawn” as the ship passes back and forth between Honolulu, Hawaii and Guam, mapping the topogra-phy of the ocean floor below.

“I’m taking along some grad students, so it’ll be some great experience for them and all involved, but the main task here for everyone, all of us, is to learn.”

AQUARIUM NEWS

Tamu Massif

Support for research related to this expedition is provided by National Science Foundation

(NSF), National Geographic Society, University of Houston, Chiba University, and Texas State

Aquarium. Schmidt Ocean Institute provides ship time aboard Falkor and the equipment

required at no cost.

As part of our Recovery Fund, we have placed hundreds of new animals in a variety of our exhibits. In the last few months, we have added everything from Sand tiger sharks to Trumpet fish!

In June, we added sharks to our Islands of Steel exhibit. Our two new Sand tiger sharks are named Orion, for Wayne and Deneece Squires’ Orion Drilling’s loyal support of the Aquarium and generous match of the first $50,000 donated to the Aquarium’s Recovery Fund, and Hunter, for State Representative Todd Hunter. Orion and Hunter are almost six feet in length and share the Islands of Steel exhibit with a fever of Cownose stingrays, along with new Barracuda, Red snapper, Midnight parrotfish, and many other fish.

In our Flower Gardens exhibit, we currently have 40 different species and over 120 specimens. We have recently added Spotted burrfish, Unicorn fish, Queen angelfish, Orange filefish, and Trumpet fish. The Trumpet fish are related to Seahorses, but they are stealthy fish eaters. While it may look like the Trumpet fish has a relatively small mouth, the floor of the narrow snout is very expandable, which enables it to distend so larger prey can pass into the stomach.

It is thanks in part to our members that we were able to rebuild our collection so quickly. Thank you for your loyal support, and we hope you will come welcome our new animals!

TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • FALL 20154

YOUR AQUARIUM

AQUARIUM NEWS

The Texas State Aquarium Welcomes New Residents!

A lot has happened since we broke ground on our Caribbean Journey expansion on December 10 of last year. Construction

began in earnest in January as we removed panels from the exterior of our Gulf of Mexico building where the Caribbean Journey wing will attach to the current facility. Some walkway and stairs to the right of the current building’s entrance were also removed.

Another of the first things completed was the process of drilling more than 280 auger cast piers. Each pier is two to three feet in diameter, up to 90 feet long, and is capable of supporting over 100 tons. Piers are constructed by drilling a hole down into the ground about 90 feet deep, and then filling that hole with highly reinforced concrete. On top of each set of the piers, pile caps are formed out of two-foot thick slabs of reinforced concrete. This pier and pile cap system forms the foundation for our new 65,000-square foot addition.

Looming large over the construction site is a 120-foot tower crane. The tower crane will remain on-site throughout the construction and will be used to lift heavy equipment and materials, eventually including the components of building’s glass ceiling.

Also visible on the job site is a saltwater reservoir. Similar to the saltwater reservoir we have under the Aquarium’s Gulf of Mexico building, there will be three reservoirs to hold water for Caribbean exhibits.

The second level floor of the new addition, which supports the shark exhibit and other aquariums, is finished, and the crews are building forms for the third floor, which will house the tropical jungle habitat. By early next year, the outer shell of the Caribbean Journey wing will be largely complete.

The next phase of construction will include the complex task of installing all of the mechanical systems, including plumbing, electrical systems, air conditioning, heating, and the life support systems for all of the new aquariums. Next will come the installation of the exhibits, the massive acrylic viewing windows, and hundreds of plants, as well as the commissioning of the aquarium systems and adding natural seawater. Finally, the birds, reptiles, and thousands of new fish will be introduced into their new homes before the Caribbean Journey ad-dition opens to the public in 2017.

CARIBBEAN

JOURNEY

CONSTRUCTION

PROGRESSING

CURRENT EVENTS

SECORE

The Aquarium is once again honored to be chosen to participate in the cause to protect and conserve endangered corals through the SECORE (Sexual Coral Repro-duction) organization. Aquarist II Rafael Calderon journeyed to Puerto Morelos, Mexico for the second year in a row to participate in the study focused on helping propagate endangered coral species such as elkhorn and staghorn corals.

25th AnniversaryThe Aquarium celebrated the 25th anniversary of the day it opened its doors to the public on July 6, and we recently completed a photo tribute and montage full of historic and meaningful photos to help celebrate our 25th anniversary on social media. Please visit our Facebook page to remi-nisce and take a look back at the people, exhibits, events, and animals that have helped get us to where we are today.

Twelve Millionth VisitorOn July 13, the Aquarium celebrated welcoming its 12 millionth visitor! The Rebollar family of Austin received a basket full of Aquarium-inspired goodies, as well as a complimentary membership.

Saving Sharks Coming This FallWe are excited to announce that we will be debuting a new exhibit, Saving Sharks, this fall. Developed by the Texas State Aquarium with assistance from OCEARCH and the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Saving Sharks is an interac-tive exhibit full of scientific and conser-vation-based shark facts and learning opportunities. See what it’s like to get up close and personal with sharks at the live shark touch tank, track Great white sharks swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in real time, and see what’s happening with sharks all over the world through amazing conserva-tion efforts led by top marine biologists.

Saving Sharks will be replacing our Amazon exhibit. Many of the animals from the Amazon exhibit are being retained for either our Wild Flight Show or to be exhibited in our Caribbean Journey wing when it opens in the spring of 2017. Some of the aquatic species from the Amazon exhibit have already been relocated, and the remain-ing Amazon animals will be relocated to their new homes by the end of Labor Day weekend.

Owl Release We’re happy to announce we recently re-leased four great horned owls back into the wild at Kaufer-Hubert Memorial Park near Kingsville! They had been with our Second Chances team for varying time periods, averaging out to a few months. Two came from the same clutch, and fell out of their nest at different times by a warehouse off of Navigation Blvd. They were extremely young and needed time and assistance to learn how to fly and hunt.

The third raptor came in due to similar cir-cumstances, and was found on the ground at the firing range at NAS Kingsville, which was deemed an unsafe environment for the juvenile.

The fourth and final bird was brought to Second Chances by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Game Warden Matt Strauss all the way from Riviera. The bird’s right eye was swollen and had abrasions on both the upper and lower lids. Additionally, the bird was thin and dehydrated. Despite being in bad shape, after time and sup-portive care, the bird made a great recovery and was able to successfully hunt on its own.

FALL 2015 • TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM 5

CURRENT EVENTS

CURRENT EVENTS

The diamondback terrapin, a species of turtle found largely throughout the coastal and swampy areas of the eastern and southern United States, from Corpus Christi to Cape Cod, is the focus of a cause that is very close to research specialist Aaron Baxter’s heart. Baxter and a dedicated team of conserva-tionists and researchers out of Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s Center for Coastal Studies have been studying the declining terrapin population since 2010, while working to convince others to pay attention to the plight of the terrapin because it is a crucially important part of the environment.

“The terrapin is a top-down predator, mean-ing that if the terrapin is gone, its whole eco-system could suffer,” Baxter said, referring to the periwinkle snail, a common terrapin food source that would quickly overpopulate coastal areas should the terrapin be re-moved from the equation.

In order to protect the species, Baxter and his team have studied various populations, noting male to female ratios, studied raided nesting sites, and have even affixed trackers to the shells of egg-laying females. Accord-ing to Baxter, the main threats to terrapins include coyotes and raccoons, which like to raid nests and eat freshly-laid eggs. Another major danger for the terrapin is becoming bycatch in crab traps, and environment erosion.

Baxter says the team is working on creating a turtle excluder device or TED-type creation to benefit terrapins, but urban sprawl is a bigger, badder problem addressing the spe-cies.

“We have to be really careful not to harden our shorelines,” Baxter says, “When we construct bulkheads and houses in or near the salt marshes or mudflats, that’s prime terrapin territory and will definitely nega-tively affect the population.”

The scientists have utilized radio and acoustic telemetry, as well as plain old walking surveys, to find terrapin habitats.

“We’re looking for which habitats they use during nesting season and following the big, mature females to find their choice nesting beaches. We’ve found that they are not leav-ing their nesting areas and actually return to the same place year to year, which makes conservation that much more important.”

Baxter and his team are currently wrapping up the study and have determined it was very successful. He says they discovered the substrate type terrapins prefer and the type of elevation females favor when it comes to nesting beaches. He hopes they can spread this knowledge to others to better protect and raise awareness for the species.

“We want to disseminate this information to other Gulf beaches and similar environ-ments. The more people that we can share our findings with, the better for the terra-pins,” Baxter said.

WCCR UPDATE

TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • FALL 20156

Many people don’t even know what a terrapin is, let alone the fact that

the brackish water dweller is rapidly approaching being classified as

endangered.

DiamondbackTerrapin

WILDLIFE CARE, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH FUND

SECOND CHANCES

From manatees to all man-ner of shorebirds, raptors, sea turtles, and small cetaceans; our Second Chances Wildlife Re-habilitation Hospital has played host and provided support for a

number of species in need. Our multifaceted SeaLab facility has the capacity to offer life saving medical care to a wide variety of animals and often partners with a vast array of similar organiza-tions in order to help as many animals as possible.

The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) is a longtime partner and collaborator of the Aquarium’s. The two organizations are dedicated to furthering the understanding and conservation of animals via rescue, rehabilitation, research, and education.

For 21 years, calls signaling a deceased cetacean or one in need of help have gone straight to TMMSN Corpus Christi Region Leader Lea Walker. Walker was not yet at the helm when TMMSN started working with the Aquarium in 1993, but she was heavily involved in multiple active cases.

“We were handling two cases at the time,” she recalls, “We had a Fraser’s dolphin that didn’t make it, and a stranded Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that we were able to release.” Walker added that said release was thanks in part to the partnership between the two entities, and that the dolphin, which was affixed with a satellite tag, was tracked for a few years swimming along the Gulf Coast before the tag came off.

A similar memo-rable release was Alice, another Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who stranded in 2007. The weak and underweight adult female was reha-bilitated and gained necessary weight while TMMSN pro-

vided needed care and the Aquarium supported through facility and equipment use. Alice, named after Walker’s late mother, was deemed non-releasable by the National Marine Fisheries Service, who chose SeaWorld – San Antonio to be her forever home.

“She’s doing great there. She’s now a proud mama and a protective one, too. She keeps that calf behind her on the other side so no one can see it,” Walker says with a laugh.

Without the relationship between the Aquarium and TMMSN, Walker says such releases and happy endings would not be possible.

“The Texas State Aquarium will bend over backwards to give us what we need,” says Walker, “And without that support, TMMSN would be left out in the cold and would be unable to do what we do.”

In addition to the TMMSN, the Aquarium and Second Chances have worked hand in hand – or hand in fin - with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) out of the University of Texas Marine Science Insti-tute in Port Aransas, and more to help animals in need.

7 FALL 2015 • TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

“The Texas State Aquarium will bend over backwards to give us what we

need,” says Walker, “And without that support, TMMSN would be left out in the cold and would be unable to do

what we do.”

texasstateaquarium.orgHours of OperationSummer Hours: Winter Hours:9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Monday – Sunday Monday – Sunday(begins March 1) (begins Labor Day)

Our MissionConnecting people with nature and inspiring conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.

Our VisionTo be a nationally-recognized Aquarium leader in creating entertaining, educationally-enriching programming; con-ducting wildlife rehabilitation; and supporting conservation.

How To Contact Us:Accounting (361) 881-1286Admissions (361) 881-1230Donations & Development (361) 881-1324Education & SeaCamp (361) 881-1204Executive Offices (361) 881-1200Event Rentals (361) 881-1244General Information (361) 881-1200Gift Shop (361) 881-1232Group Reservations (361) 881-1307Guide Office (361) 881-1250Injured Animal (361) 881-1210Membership (361) 881-1340Shoreline Grill (361) 881-1239Volunteers (361) 881-1381

The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is America’s leading

accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and ac-credits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal care and management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, educa-tion, safety, staffing, and more. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 ac-credited members, AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement and is your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.

The Texas State Aquarium was designated as a Coastal America Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in 1998. Coastal America combines the resources of federal agen-cies with marine educational centers. The mutual partnership extends to involving

communities in protection, preservation, and restoration projects throughout the Nation.

CALENDAR

Join us as we clean North Beach during our fall Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach sponsored event from 9 a.m. – noon! Meet up on the Aquarium’s front lawn near the small parking lot.

The Aquarium will be CLOSEDThanksgiving Day

Aquarium hours will change to 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and H-E-B Splash Park hours will change to weekends only after Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September 27. All times and hours are subject to change and to weather.

We’re excited to announce our brand new exhibit, Saving Sharks, will be debuting! Developed by the Texas State Aquarium with assistance from OCEARCH and the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Saving Sharks is an interactive exhibit full of scientific and conservation-based shark facts and learning opportunities. See what it’s like to get up close and personal with sharks at the live shark touch tank, track Great white sharks swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in real time, and see what’s happening with sharks all over the world through amazing conservation efforts led by top marine biologists. Sharks are not always given the credit they deserve, but that will all change when you experience Saving Sharks!

This year’s annual arrival of Scuba Santa to the Texas State Aquarium will bring smiles and wonder! On Saturday, December 12, the Texas State Aquarium will introduce Scuba Santa to guests who visit the Aquarium’s “Diver in the Water” presentation at our Flower Gardens exhibit. Scuba Santa will make daily appearances through December 24th

9/7 LABOR DAY

10/27 SEAFOOD WARS

9/26 FALL ADOPT-A-BEACH

12/12 - 12/24 SCUBA SANTA

12/25 CHRISTMAS DAY

10/31 GREEN HALLOWEEN

MID-OCTOBER saving sharks

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBERNOVEMBER

TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • FALL 20158

Join us as the Texas State Aquarium hosts another great Seafood Wars installment where local chefs compete to see who can cook up the best dish and everybody wins!

Bring your family to our spectacularly spooky Green Halloween celebration! Halloween in Corpus Christi gets an, earth-friendly twist on Saturday, October 31 as the Texas State Aquarium hosts its annual Green Halloween party. Bring your family to enjoy a safe, fun, and educational afternoon of Halloween activities. The day’s activities will include Halloween-themed animal enrichment sessions, a spooky dive show, a costume contest with prizes, arts and crafts, trick-or-treating, and more activities throughout the Aquarium.

Happy Thanksgiving

11/26 THANKSGIVING DAY

The Aquarium will be CLOSED Christmas Day

DECEMBER

CLOSED