Texas State Aquarium Texas State Aquarium News

Though it doesn't really mean anything to us as zoo and aquarium enthusiasts, I want to make note that the Texas State Aquarium was named one of USA TODAY'S Top 5 Aquariums in North America. A majority of people would think that such a designation matters, thus it gives them more publicity and name recognition which is helpful for them.

 
Posted on their Facebook, Sept. 26th:
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of a very special member of the Texas State Aquarium family. Bo, our rescued American alligator, passed away last night.
From the moment Bo arrived at the Texas State Aquarium in 1999, he quickly found a way into the hearts of his new caregivers and our guests. Texas Parks and Wildlife rescued a wounded Bo from an irrigation ditch in Taft, Texas and brought him to the Aquarium. With the help of Aquarium staff, Bo recovered from his wounds and later became part of the Aquarium’s Swamp Tales exhibit. We estimate that Bo was approximately 25 to 50 years old.
The Aquarium’s Fish and Herpetology team recently noticed that Bo had swelling in his back, left foot. The Aquarium’s Animal Health team performed a medical exam and took tissue samples, which showed Bo had an infection. Aquarium staff treated the infection, but Bo’s condition did not improve. Yesterday, Bo was transported to the Wildlife Rescue Center for further treatment. The transport went smoothly, but unfortunately, Bo did not appear to be doing well. Our teams worked tirelessly to provide Bo with supportive care, but Bo did not respond to the treatment and passed away last night. A full necropsy is pending.
Bo’s long life is a testament to the care and love he received, and we know he was a special part of the Aquarium for many of you too. Our thoughts are with the Fish and Herp team, and we are happy to have been able to share Bo’s life for so many years. Bo was an amazing ambassador for his species and will be deeply missed.
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: Keepers Beth S. and Micaiah C.
 
The aquarium now has ocelot. This is from the aquariums Facebook. It seems like the exhibit is in the former bird of prey area but I don't have confirmation on that.

"GREAT NEWS! A good Texas Conservation story is developing here at the Texas State Aquarium. Please welcome Milla and Leeloo to the Aquarium family! These two sister ocelots arrived from the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico late March 2021 as part of the ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP). Since their arrival, the ocelots have been acclimating to their new home.
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ocelots are one of the most elusive and solitary animals in North America. This makes them difficult to track and study, but conservationists estimate that, in the United States, only 50 to 80 ocelots remain in the wild.
Milla and Leeloo will participate in the ocelot SSP, which is cooperatively managed by accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The goal of this new ocelot exhibit is to educate our visitors about the Texas scrub brush ecosystem and the important efforts underway to help preserve ocelots and their habitat. The main threat to ocelots is habitat destruction and fragmentation. Ocelots need large areas of dense brush to survive. As rural lands are developed, ocelot habitat disappears."
 
nczoofan said:
The aquarium now has ocelot. This is from the aquariums Facebook. It seems like the exhibit is in the former bird of prey area but I don't have confirmation on that.

"GREAT NEWS! A good Texas Conservation story is developing here at the Texas State Aquarium. Please welcome Milla and Leeloo to the Aquarium family! These two sister ocelots arrived from the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico late March 2021 as part of the ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP). Since their arrival, the ocelots have been acclimating to their new home.
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ocelots are one of the most elusive and solitary animals in North America. This makes them difficult to track and study, but conservationists estimate that, in the United States, only 50 to 80 ocelots remain in the wild.
Milla and Leeloo will participate in the ocelot SSP, which is cooperatively managed by accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The goal of this new ocelot exhibit is to educate our visitors about the Texas scrub brush ecosystem and the important efforts underway to help preserve ocelots and their habitat. The main threat to ocelots is habitat destruction and fragmentation. Ocelots need large areas of dense brush to survive. As rural lands are developed, ocelot habitat disappears."
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Didn't catch this earlier! Sounds like a great addition! We could always use more ocelot awareness.
 
2022 News:

On March 24th, the aquarium announced they transferred a (1.0) bottlenose dolphin to the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois on March 21st.

Also on March 24th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) bottlenose dolphin named Merlin from the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois.

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On March 26th, the aquarium announced they transferred a (1.0) bottlenose dolphin named Goose/Ranger to the Dolphin Research Center in Florida.

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On April 5th, the aquarium announced they are in the process of constructing a new exhibit for their (0.1) bald eagle named Grace.

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On April 30th, the aquarium announced they have received AZA accreditation through March 2027.

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On May 9th, the aquarium announced they have started construction on the Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue, which will be completed at the end of 2022.

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On May 28th, the aquarium announced they have opened 2 new restaurants, Canopy and Back Porch.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5204071619687051

On August 4th, it was reported that the aquarium generated $11 million in revenue for the city of Corpus Christi in 2021. It was also reported that the facility broke its all-time attendance record in 2021, 625,000.

Texas State Aquarium sees record breaking revenues | kiiitv.com

On August 16th, it was reported that the aquarium transferred a (0.1) ocelot named Leelou to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas.

Seeing spots: Brownsville zoo welcomes first ocelot

*Misc news: They have rehabilitated 73 green and 10 Kemp's ridley sea turtles throughout the year as well as (0.0.2) great-horned owls and a (1.0) great blue heron. On June 30th, the aquarium (alongside several other organizations) rescued a (0.1) bottlenose dolphin from North Padre Island and transported her to the facility. After 6 days, she was transferred again to a facility in Galveston, Texas.
 
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Visitors can soon watch sea turtles, other coastal wildlife receive care at Texas rescue center

The Texas State Aquarium’s Port of Corpus Christi Wildlife Rescue Center is set to open next month, and will be the largest such facility in the Lone Star State.

Next month, the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi will unveil what will be the largest coastal wildlife rescue facility in the Lone Star State – and one of the biggest in the country.

Visitors can soon watch sea turtles, other coastal wildlife receive care at Texas rescue center | Texas Standard
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Visitors can soon watch sea turtles, other coastal wildlife receive care at Texas rescue center

The Texas State Aquarium’s Port of Corpus Christi Wildlife Rescue Center is set to open next month, and will be the largest such facility in the Lone Star State.

Next month, the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi will unveil what will be the largest coastal wildlife rescue facility in the Lone Star State – and one of the biggest in the country.

Visitors can soon watch sea turtles, other coastal wildlife receive care at Texas rescue center | Texas Standard
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On March 2nd, the aquarium announced it opened the center to the public.

Texas State Aquarium

On March 30th, the aquarium announced they transferred a (1.0) common bottlenose dolphin named Ranger to the Dolphin Research Center in Florida.

Texas State Aquarium

On May 16th, the aquarium announced they are constructing a 15,000-square-foot waterpark called the HEB Splash Park which will open in summer 2023.

Texas State Aquarium
 
On April 3rd, 2024, the aquarium announced they rescued, rehabilitated, and released (0.0.2) green sea turtles back into the wild.

Texas State Aquarium
Smaggledagle said:
On May 16th, the aquarium announced they are constructing a 15,000-square-foot waterpark called the HEB Splash Park which will open in summer 2023.

Texas State Aquarium
Click to expand...

On July 3rd, the aquarium opened the H-E-B Splash Park to the public.

Texas State Aquarium

On April 1st, 2024, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) spotted eagle ray named Raymond and a (0.0.1) Peruvian pinktoe tarantula named Bellatrix which are now on display in the H-E-B Caribbean Sea exhibit and the Caribbean Jungle area next to the flamingo exhibit respectively.

Also on April 1st, the aquarium announced that a (0.0.1) Atlantic stingray named Ravioli was born and is now on exhibit in the Caribbean Touch Tank exhibit.

Texas State Aquarium
 
On April 17th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released a green sea turtle back into the wild on March 28th.

Texas State Aquarium

On June 5th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released 238 sea turtles (of various species) back into the wild. On November 7th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released a further 37 sea turtles back into the wild.

Texas State Aquarium
19K views · 454 reactions | YOUR SUPPORT helps us save Texas wildlife when they need it the most. GivingTuesday is just around the corner on December 3rd! Help us reach our... | By Texas State Aquarium | Facebook

On September 20th, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released 13 Mississippi kites back into the wild. On October 3rd, the aquarium announced they rehabilitated and released another Mississippi kite back into the wild.

3.6K views · 75 reactions | From Evacuation to Release. ️ After Hurricane Beryl’s impact, our wildlife rescue efforts helped these young Mississippi Kites return to the skies... | By Texas State Aquarium | Facebook
2.9K views · 25 reactions | Another Mississippi Kite released back into the wild! After Hurricane Beryl displaced fledglings from their nests in Houston, the Texas State... | By Texas State Aquarium | Facebook

On September 19th, it was reported that the aquarium acquired ~300 staghorn and mountainous star corals from the Nova Southeastern University in Florida to safeguard the species against rising ocean temperatures which are on display in the facility's Center for Wildlife Rescue.

See how researchers brought endangered corals to Corpus Christi
NSU Donates Hundreds of Corals to Texas A&M Researchers

On December 11th, the aquarium announced they acquired 2 American alligators named Pepper and Sage in July which are now on exhibit.

Texas State Aquarium
 
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