North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island North Carolina Aquarium News

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Other News Between January 2016 and December 2021

On February 6th, 2017, it was reported that the aquarium acquired (0.0.4) American alligators named Cheese, Turkey, Ham, and Gravy. They were given to the aquarium in 2015 and their exhibit opened to the public in December 2016.

What's in a name? N.C. Aquarium's baby alligators know

On April 5th, 2018, it was reported that they have acquired a (0.1) eastern hellbender from the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas.

Ugly, slimy salamander with gross nicknames on display at N.C. aquarium

On August 29th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.20) emperor scorpions were born.

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On July 23rd, it was reported that (0.0.5) green anoles hatched and are on exhibit.

Baby anoles hatch at NC Aquarium | 13newsnow.com

On July 31st, it was reported that a (0.1) North American river otter named Molly passed away at age 18 after suffering a seizure.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article233355227.html

On August 20th, it was reported that the aquarium has appointed a new director, Larry Warner, whose previous job was the director of exhibits at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.

NC Aquariums Welcome Two New Directors | Coastal Review

On March 12th, 2020, the aquarium announced that (0.0.3+) seahorses (species(s) not specified) were born.

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On October 30th, the aquarium announced that a (0.0.1) sandbar shark that was born on October 16th passed away due to a possible infection.

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On November 28th, it was reported that the aquarium acquired (0.0.4) American alligators (on loan from Alligator Adventure in South Carolina), (0.0.5) yellow stingrays, and (0.0.2+) Pacific sea nettles.

New animals add to adventure at N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island - OBX Today

On January 20th, 2021, it was reported that a (1.0) Virginia opossum named Webster passed away due to invasive inoperable mouth cancer.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island announces death of Webster the opossum - The Coastland Times

On February 1st, it was reported that the aquarium acquired a (0.1) North American river otter named Olive after she was deemed non-releasable in the wild.

Meet Olive the otter at NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On October 17th, it was reported that the aquarium has finished recoating the saltwater mixing basins after they were sent a $50,000 donation.

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island completes mixing basin project with unexpected $50k donation - The Coastland Times

2022 News:

On January 26th, the aquarium announced that their (0.1) eastern screech owl named Napoleon has been moved off-program. She was back on-program by March.

https://www.ncaquariums.com/default.aspx?p=140753&naid=27939

On April 19th, the aquarium announced that a (1.0) common snapping turtle named Scrappy passed away on April 17th due to a decline in health.

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On May 6th, it was reported that the aquarium built a new pollinator garden and maritime trail which have both since opened to the public.

Pollinator garden, maritime trail a new addition to North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island - The Coastland Times

On May 24th, the aquarium announced that a (1.0) Virginia opossum named Patrick passed away due to old age and a known heart condition.

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On June 23rd, the aquarium announced that its Sea Turtle Assistance & Rehabilitation Center has undergone renovations to increase pool sizes, upgrade life support systems, and other renovations. It started in early summer, with the construction finishing by early autumn.

https://www.facebook.com/NCAquarium...eSsMnyjc45cTcgUfWLRGWUGGyTktgqBoQuJGLDyzwgUXl
 
On January 20th, 2023, the aquarium announced they will be closed from January 30th to February 3rd for, among other things, to renovate the life support system in the Close Encounters stingray touch pool as well as prepare for a future oyster exhibit.

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On July 7th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released a (1.0) green sea turtle into the wild.

One of our husbandry... - NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On July 26th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released a (0.0.1) loggerhead sea turtle and a (0.0.1) green sea turtle into the wild on July 25th.

We had an incredible... - NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On August 24th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released (0.0.3) Kemp's ridley sea turtles and (0.0.2) green sea turtles into the wild.

Today was a very special... - NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On May 3rd, the aquarium announced they installed a new grotto inside the American lobster exhibit.

Tune in to see the installation of the brand new grotto home for our American Lobster! Thank you to our volunteer, Phil, who built this structure for us | By NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island | Facebook

On January 20th, 2023, the aquarium announced they will be closed from January 30th to February 3rd for, among other things, to renovate the life support system in the Close Encounters stingray touch pool as well as prepare for a future oyster exhibit.

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On June 26th, it was reported that the aquarium's new interactive oyster exhibit, "Fish Filter Food: The Human Oyster Connection", will open in early summer 2025 if the aquarium receives a grant in September 2023.

Work begins on exhibit showing oyster-human connection | Coastal Review

On September 5th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.2+) bay nettles which are now on exhibit.

Have you met our new... - NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
 
On January 30th, 2024, the aquarium announced they transferred (0.0.2+) juvenile American alligators to Alligator Adventure in South Carolina after February 4th. On February 14th, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.0.2+?) diamondback terrapins which are in the former juvenile alligator exhibit.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Welcome Diamonback Terrapins! | See ya later, alligators! We're so happy to introduce diamondback terrapins in our Seven Rivers gallery. Since 2019, we've been a temporary home to... | By NC Aquarium on Roanoke IslandFacebook

On February 19th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) pygmy rattlesnake from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in North Carolina which is on exhibit.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
 
On January 18th, 2025, it was reported that the aquarium helped release 24 green sea turtles and a loggerhead sea turtle back into the ocean.

https://islandfreepress.org/hattera...habilitated-sea-turtles-into-the-gulf-stream/

On February 25th, the aquarium announced they helped rehabilitate and release a loggerhead sea turtle back into the ocean.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On March 14th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released another loggerhead sea turtle, as well as a green sea turtle, back into the ocean.

8.8K views · 299 reactions | There's no place like home. ✨ The NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is thrilled to share the news of the successful rehabilitation and release of a small green sea turtle and a 70 lb. loggerhead. After a few months in the STAR Center and finishing touches to remove remaining barnacles, "Churro" was cleared from the STAR Center by our amazing staff and released 40 miles off-shore into the Gulf Stream this week. Churro arrived at the STAR Center at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island during a record breaking cold-stun season this past winter on the Outer Banks. We're forever thankful for the partnerships of our friends in the community--like the crew of the Phideaux in Wanchese--for helping rescued rehabilitated sea turtles like Churro find their way back home, and for N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) volunteers who patrol our waterways for sea turtles in need of rescue. ❤️ Sea turtles in North Carolina are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island operates under NCWRC Sea Turtle Permit #24ST46 | NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On May 2nd, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released a Kemp's ridley sea turtle back into the ocean.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On June 6th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released 7 sea turtles (of various unspecified species) back into the ocean.

N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day June 16 Following Record-breaking Cold-stun Season

On June 16th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released 2 green sea turtles back into the ocean.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On July 24th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released another green sea turtle back into the ocean.

2.7K views · 1.7K reactions | The NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island is thrilled to announce the release today of “Atlas,” a small green sea turtle and long-term patient at the Aquarium’s STAR Center. Atlas has been receiving care at the Aquarium since December 23, 2024 after suffering severe frostbite on its spinal cord during a record-breaking cold-stun season on the Outer Banks. Atlas was released into the Croatan Sound by Celeste, a special activities instructor at the Aquarium, as staff, volunteers, and visitors cheered and celebrated Atlas’ incredible 7-month rehabilitation journey and return home today. The STAR Center, founded at the Aquarium in 2014, rehabilitates rescued sea turtles year-round. In recent years, sea turtle patients have been treated at the Aquarium for assorted problems, including cold-stunning, eye injuries, kidney failure, pneumonia, frostbite, infections, and injuries from boat strikes and ingested fishing hooks. When sea turtle patients are cleared by Aquarium veterinarians, the Aquarium releases recovered sea turtles back into their natural environment. Sea turtles have been released by the Aquarium oceanside, offshore into the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and into the Croatan Sound—the Aquarium’s aquatic backyard. Dedicated in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. | NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

On August 28th, the aquarium announced they rehabbed and released 2 more sea turtles back into the wild.

NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island

* Worth mentioning that the aquarium rehabilitated and released a lot of turtles in 2024, including ~400 sea turtles during mid-December 2024, among others.

On May 12th, 2025, the aquarium announced they will be starting construction on a new touch tank in the future.


* Worth noting their male (1.0) nurse shark named Nursey passed away ~22 years in August 2024.
 
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