Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver Aquarium News 2018-19

snowleopard

snowleopard

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Premium Member
There will be no more whales and dolphins at Vancouver Aquarium and here are a couple of excerpts from a news release sent to my email due to the fact that I have a membership at the aquarium:

#1:

I want you to be among the first to know that we will continue our commitment to ocean conservation, including through expanded public engagement, but we will do so without the display of whales or dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium.

#2:

As one of only a few organizations around the globe working on Arctic issues, we are moving ahead with construction on Canada’s Arctic gallery. The transformed habitat will engage visitors about Canada’s fragile North and will introduce them to amazing marine life – from coldwater corals to Arctic pinnipeds such as seals and walruses. We anticipate starting construction in September 2018 and opening this new, permanent exhibit in late 2019.
 
So what about the existing cetacean species - False Killer Whale? Are the dolphins and porpoise gone now?
 
Newzooboy said:
So what about the existing cetacean species - False Killer Whale? Are the dolphins and porpoise gone now?
Click to expand...

False Killer Whale is deceased.
Harbour Porpoises are deceased.
There is only a single cetacean (a female Pacific White-Sided Dolphin) and the aquarium has yet to decide on her future. A transfer to another institution is the likely occurrence.
 
Thanks SL.........a shame imo............I loved my visit to the aquarium mainly owing to close up views of Beluga, Harbour Porpoise and White-sided Dolphin. I never saw the FKW, but was hoping to in the future. Shame he didn't survive long.
 
John Nightingale, director of the Vancouver Aquarium, has announced that he will retire at the end of this year. Somewhat incredibly, the aquarium has only had two directors in the 62 years of its existence! Murray Newman led the facility for 37 years and John Nightingale has been the leader for the past 25 years. Who can fill those shoes?
 
The aquarium has sent out their head vet, Dr. Martin Haulena, to help in the efforts to save wild orca J50/Scarlet. He successfully delivered medication via dart yesterday and is monitoring the situation and any attempts to feed the young female medicated live salmon. Yet another reason why the aquarium is so vital!
 
An olive ridley sea turtle was rescued this month from waters off Port Alberni. Berni, as he as been named, is only the 4th of his kind to never be recorded in the area. He was suffering from cold shock. He's been treated and is recovering well.
 
With the two walrus soon moving and no more belugas allowed to be displayed, what will be in the exhibit space?
 
MidwestFan said:
With the two walrus soon moving and no more belugas allowed to be displayed, what will be in the exhibit space?
Click to expand...

Where are the walruses going? I haven't read any kind of official announcement from Vancouver Aquarium. You are probably correct though, as there are no longer daily walrus presentations on the facility's website.

In regards to the 'exhibit space', you are thinking of two different areas. The former Beluga Whale pool is now home to Steller's Sea Lions in an area called Steller's Bay that was unveiled in 2017. It was a small tank for whales, but it makes an excellent sea lion habitat. The two walruses have always been in a behind-the-scenes exhibit, although the aquarium did open up a viewing window and the walruses were only able to be on display to the public for a couple of 20-minute sessions each day. It was a tiny area east of Steller's Bay and it's amazing at how there was only a small fraction of the day when the walruses were able to be seen by visitors.
 
snowleopard said:
Where are the walruses going? I haven't read any kind of official announcement from Vancouver Aquarium.
Click to expand...

The Aquarium du Québec and Toronto Zoo working together to combine their expertise and experience for two iconic polar species | Media Room | Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo announced that Lakina and Balzak are returning to Aquarium du Québec. Next year, Arnaliaq and Lakina will move to the Toronto Zoo while Boris and Balzak will remain at Aquarium du Québec. The thread Toronto Zoo Developments 2019 has more details and discussion pertaining to the topic.
 
The aquarium has joined the long list of zoos and aquariums that are closing.
 
Wow that is a scary concept. The aquarium does so much for its animals, rescued animals, and research as a whole. The government should definitely step in and help. It's too important a facility to let it die like this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top