@red river hog @NAIB Volunteer thank you, I will be traveling with a friend up that way that worked with them at Lubee. As far as I know than Lubee is the last holder of the species in the country
National Aquarium in Baltimore National Aquarium, Baltimore Updates and Events
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Atlantic Coral Reef - The exhibit is being filled with hundred of new, smaller reef fish. Howdy cages have been dropped in the tank to provide a temporary refuge for the new additions.
Dolphin Discovery - Pier 4 is in the final stages of getting a re-fresh complete with new, bolder dolphin graphics highlighting their natural behavior and each individual in the colony. The amphitheater is not changing, but new infographic displays are being installed. Additionally, the underwater viewing area is getting the biggest change highlighting the Aquarium's commitment to the National Dolphin Sanctuary project where visitors can learn about the ambitious project. The exhibit showcases the dolphin's training routine in preparation for the move, the sanctuary itself including artist renderings of the project, and why the project has been delayed, specifically highlighting climate change and sea level rise. The project should be completed by the end of the month.
Dolphin Discovery - Pier 4 is in the final stages of getting a re-fresh complete with new, bolder dolphin graphics highlighting their natural behavior and each individual in the colony. The amphitheater is not changing, but new infographic displays are being installed. Additionally, the underwater viewing area is getting the biggest change highlighting the Aquarium's commitment to the National Dolphin Sanctuary project where visitors can learn about the ambitious project. The exhibit showcases the dolphin's training routine in preparation for the move, the sanctuary itself including artist renderings of the project, and why the project has been delayed, specifically highlighting climate change and sea level rise. The project should be completed by the end of the month.
Other 2022 News:
On March 31st, the aquarium announced that a (1.0) Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink named Marvin was born on March 3rd-4th.
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On June 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.5) Mary River turtles hatched on April 7th and 8th respectively.
Also on June 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2+) northern red-faced turtles hatched.
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Oh, Babies!
On June 30th, it was announced that the aquarium received $182,143 from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the AZA for the care of endangered species.
More Than $9 Million Awarded for Endangered Species Care During Pandemic | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
*In Misc News: On February 26th, the aquarium rescued a (1.0) grey seal from Assateague Island National Seashore and was later given the name Louis Armstrong. He was released on June 8th. On April 29th, the aquarium announced they planted 2,768 Atlantic white cedar seedlings at Nassawango Creek Preserve. The aquarium also has released many terrapins and sea turtle species during the year, including the first public release since 2019, on August 19th
On March 31st, the aquarium announced that a (1.0) Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink named Marvin was born on March 3rd-4th.
Log into Facebook
On June 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.5) Mary River turtles hatched on April 7th and 8th respectively.
Also on June 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2+) northern red-faced turtles hatched.
Log into Facebook
Oh, Babies!
On June 30th, it was announced that the aquarium received $182,143 from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the AZA for the care of endangered species.
More Than $9 Million Awarded for Endangered Species Care During Pandemic | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
*In Misc News: On February 26th, the aquarium rescued a (1.0) grey seal from Assateague Island National Seashore and was later given the name Louis Armstrong. He was released on June 8th. On April 29th, the aquarium announced they planted 2,768 Atlantic white cedar seedlings at Nassawango Creek Preserve. The aquarium also has released many terrapins and sea turtle species during the year, including the first public release since 2019, on August 19th
The Glass Pyramid containing the Upland Tropical Rainforest exhibit is nearing completion. The Aquarium is eyeing a reopening just before Thanksgiving after some final testing of the new LED lights and relocation of the exhibits inhabitants.
National Aquarium’s roof repairs are nearly complete
National Aquarium’s roof repairs are nearly complete
Atlantic Coral Reef: More fish have been added to the exhibit including two, male Southern stingrays and an array of smaller fish as a result of the AZAs Larval Production Program - Small mouth grunts, neon gobys, and glassy sweeper.
Three very cool species that I haven't seen yet at the aquarium
Atlantic Coral Reef: A new Kemp's ridley sea turtle will soon take up residency in the Aquarium's second largest exhibit after a mandatory quarantine period. More information on the 42- year old male can be found in the Aquarium's press release: The Turtle Has Landed
Long time Aquarium visitors are familiar with the Aquarium's former resident, a three flippered Green sea turtle named Calypso who passed away in early 2020. She resided in the current Blacktip Reef.
The Aquarium also has another Green sea turtle named Kai at the Aquarium's off-site Animal Care Center where he is currently being treated with a buoyancy issue. There are no plans currently to exhibit him at the main Aquarium building, but could eventually be placed on exhibit.
Long time Aquarium visitors are familiar with the Aquarium's former resident, a three flippered Green sea turtle named Calypso who passed away in early 2020. She resided in the current Blacktip Reef.
The Aquarium also has another Green sea turtle named Kai at the Aquarium's off-site Animal Care Center where he is currently being treated with a buoyancy issue. There are no plans currently to exhibit him at the main Aquarium building, but could eventually be placed on exhibit.
The Kemp's ridley is exciting!
Upland Tropical Rainforest: The Glass Pyramid replacement project is complete, the animals reintroduced, and the exhibit is ready to welcome guests back starting as early as tomorrow.
National Aquarium in Baltimore reopens rainforest exhibit after replacing glass roof
National Aquarium in Baltimore reopens rainforest exhibit after replacing glass roof
It seems like that was a fast project! I hope to visit there again soon.
About 8 months or so with a few weeks for animal capture and reintroduction. The rainforest is substantially brighter now with the new panes but I do know the horticulture team trimmed some of the larger plants so that has also probably contributed. Along with some new additions in the Atlantic Coral Reef (new reef fishes, stingrays, and a soon to enter sea turtle), should be a nice visit when you do make it!
I went to the aquarium today and the rainforest is open. Some updates:
-Some of the birds are still off exhibit, such as the yellow-crowned Amazon parrots and sun conure
-One of the sloths, Ivy, just died the day before the reopening of the rain forest of natural causes. She was well into her 20s which is average lifespan for sloths. The aquarium has two remaining sloths, both on exhibit.
-The golden lion tamarins are not going to return on exhibit because they are too old and have diabetes and arthritis issues. It would be too dangerous for them in the large rainforest since with their mobility issues they could risk falling from the branches. At 17 and 18 years of age, this pair is among the oldest in the world. The aquarium is looking for a new pair to put on exhibit. Meanwhile, you may still see them from a far distance if you look from the downstairs of the rain forest in their behind-the-scenes habitat. Look up since their habitat is up high.
-There is only one sun conure left since most were not getting along with the other parrots. But he is not on exhibit yet as the animals are still getting gradually introduced.
In the Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit, the southern stingrays are back on exhibit and the roughtail stingray is back on exhibit in Shark Alley. I did not see the roughtail stingray, but I was told the animals in Shark Alley rotate on and off exhibit since the exhibit is too small to hold a ton of animals so it may have just been off today. They have more sharks in total than you see since there are only a few of each species at a time, but the two sandbar sharks and two male sawfish are almost always on exhibit. There are a couple sandtiger sharks and a couple nurse sharks on exhibit at a time, which there were three of each today. The cravelle jack(a species of predatory fish) also rotate, but I did not count how many I saw.
-Some of the birds are still off exhibit, such as the yellow-crowned Amazon parrots and sun conure
-One of the sloths, Ivy, just died the day before the reopening of the rain forest of natural causes. She was well into her 20s which is average lifespan for sloths. The aquarium has two remaining sloths, both on exhibit.
-The golden lion tamarins are not going to return on exhibit because they are too old and have diabetes and arthritis issues. It would be too dangerous for them in the large rainforest since with their mobility issues they could risk falling from the branches. At 17 and 18 years of age, this pair is among the oldest in the world. The aquarium is looking for a new pair to put on exhibit. Meanwhile, you may still see them from a far distance if you look from the downstairs of the rain forest in their behind-the-scenes habitat. Look up since their habitat is up high.
-There is only one sun conure left since most were not getting along with the other parrots. But he is not on exhibit yet as the animals are still getting gradually introduced.
In the Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit, the southern stingrays are back on exhibit and the roughtail stingray is back on exhibit in Shark Alley. I did not see the roughtail stingray, but I was told the animals in Shark Alley rotate on and off exhibit since the exhibit is too small to hold a ton of animals so it may have just been off today. They have more sharks in total than you see since there are only a few of each species at a time, but the two sandbar sharks and two male sawfish are almost always on exhibit. There are a couple sandtiger sharks and a couple nurse sharks on exhibit at a time, which there were three of each today. The cravelle jack(a species of predatory fish) also rotate, but I did not count how many I saw.
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I'm unclear where you heard that the sharks and jacks rotate on and off exhibit. The only animal that regularly goes into the Aquarium's off holding pool is the roughtail stingray for training and to feed. The jacks and nurse sharks are aggressive during feeding time and can be difficult to feed the stingray on exhibit. None of the other animals rotate - the jacks are certainly not trained to do so. Additionally, there is only one holding pool so pulling off a group of sharks is not feasible on daily or semi-daily basis. Of course individuals are moved for a variety of reasons, but not for space management. All the sharks you see on exhibit are all the individuals that the Aquarium has in Shark Alley.
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Other than the Sandstone long-necked turtles, Irwin's snapping turtles, and Northern Australian snapping turtles, what rare species does the National Aquarium house in public access? I will be visiting sometime in the summer of 2023 and hope to see their more rare species.
I'm fairly certain that they have (or at least in recent history had) a rarer species of alcid mixed with the puffins.
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
Razorbill
Some of their rarer herps and birds include Saw-shelled Turtle, Bay-headed Tanager, Razorbill, White-tailed Trogon, White-throated Snapping Turtle, Gibba Turtle, Big-headed Amazon River Turtle, Kimberley Snake-necked Turtle, Plains Death Adder, Golden Grosbeak, Cotinga River Toadhead Turtle, Lovely Poison Frog, Green-and-gold Tanager, and Mulga Parrot
I apparently never uploaded my photos from earlier this year, here's a photo of the holding pool.
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An educator just told me about it at the Blacktip Reef demo. He said it is to give the animals more space as the exhibit is very narrow and not that big overall.
And the picture that @TinoPup posted on the holding pool, it’s way too small for sharks, so I speculate it’s just for the stingray.
The holding space is bigger than it appears and is used for all the animals in Shark Alley when needed - just not for space management.