Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver Aquarium News
- Thread starter snowleopard
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kermodei
Well-Known Member
While not any sort of *official* update, I recently revisited the aquarium (nearly a year to the day that @snowleopard went, incidentally) and figured folks might be interested in a little update 
The Vancouver Aquarium, when compared to others, isn't that big of a facility, so I was especially determined to make the most of my nearly $40 ticket. I attended three different shows, Surface Feeding (Pacific Canada tank), Seal Feeding (B.C. Wild Coast) and Sea Lion Training (Steller's Bay), and the Wet Lab. Seal Feeding consisted of trainers working with the aquarium's rescued harbour seals, many of which were visually impaired, and I'm hopeful that despite now being owned by an entertainment company, the aquarium will continue to focus on rehabilitation rather than simply displaying pinnipeds solely for entertainment. The Wet Lab is part mini museum, lots of pickled specimens, etc. and part hands-on experience where guests get to learn about and touch sea life (e.g. sea cucumbers, starfish, etc.), I found it very fun.
On the outdoor section as a whole, I've never been very impressed and this visit was no different. The exhibits feel very drab and boring. Very little, if any, enrichment items are to be found, and for both the sea otters and penguins, I feel the enclosures are awfully small.
My feelings on the indoor part of the aquarium are far better, though I must admit that several exhibits were lacking, which I attest to the financial struggles the aquarium endured recently. The Yacare caiman exhibit was empty and closed off, there remains just one blacktip reef shark, and the Amazon Gallery was devoid of diversity (Of land animals, I saw only a pair of ducks, a pair of ibis, two tortoises and the resident sloth). Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of gorgeous exhibits full of life, but the areas that were lacking were noticeable.
Also, a bonus note on my favorite section, Frogs Forever?, I noticed they changed the poignant golden toad exhibit :'( IIRC, the previously-empty-but-fully-furnished terrarium now features several strawberry poison frogs, which were cool don't get me wrong, but I feel strongly that removing the most symbolic portion really takes away from the message of the section.
Anyways, happy to answer any questions folks have! And am hoping to upload lots of photos from the trip soon
The Vancouver Aquarium, when compared to others, isn't that big of a facility, so I was especially determined to make the most of my nearly $40 ticket. I attended three different shows, Surface Feeding (Pacific Canada tank), Seal Feeding (B.C. Wild Coast) and Sea Lion Training (Steller's Bay), and the Wet Lab. Seal Feeding consisted of trainers working with the aquarium's rescued harbour seals, many of which were visually impaired, and I'm hopeful that despite now being owned by an entertainment company, the aquarium will continue to focus on rehabilitation rather than simply displaying pinnipeds solely for entertainment. The Wet Lab is part mini museum, lots of pickled specimens, etc. and part hands-on experience where guests get to learn about and touch sea life (e.g. sea cucumbers, starfish, etc.), I found it very fun.
On the outdoor section as a whole, I've never been very impressed and this visit was no different. The exhibits feel very drab and boring. Very little, if any, enrichment items are to be found, and for both the sea otters and penguins, I feel the enclosures are awfully small.
My feelings on the indoor part of the aquarium are far better, though I must admit that several exhibits were lacking, which I attest to the financial struggles the aquarium endured recently. The Yacare caiman exhibit was empty and closed off, there remains just one blacktip reef shark, and the Amazon Gallery was devoid of diversity (Of land animals, I saw only a pair of ducks, a pair of ibis, two tortoises and the resident sloth). Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of gorgeous exhibits full of life, but the areas that were lacking were noticeable.
Also, a bonus note on my favorite section, Frogs Forever?, I noticed they changed the poignant golden toad exhibit :'( IIRC, the previously-empty-but-fully-furnished terrarium now features several strawberry poison frogs, which were cool don't get me wrong, but I feel strongly that removing the most symbolic portion really takes away from the message of the section.
Anyways, happy to answer any questions folks have! And am hoping to upload lots of photos from the trip soon
bubblywums
Member
It's nice to hear an update from the aquarium. I've been a few times but not since all of the cetaceans passed. The ticket price seemed more justified when there were cetaceans. The belugas, porpoises, dolphins, and false killer whale, sometimes I forget that all of them are gone now. Overall the aquarium suffers from old age and lack of funds to update their outdoor enclosures I think. I look forward to seeing your photos!
It's an aquarium...
kermodei
Well-Known Member
Yes, it is, but their Amazon Gallery once hosted a far wider array of tropical land animals. More birds, more reptiles, etc.
squatch
Member
I've lived in Vancouver my whole life, and have visited the aquarium countless times over my childhood, but I don't remember there ever being more land animals besides a few macaws and other parrots. I have noticed recently that the terrariums behind the marmosets have lost a few inhabitants but that's just what happened with many exhibits in the aquarium due to the temporary closure.
Anyway, besides a the parrots, and some vine snakes next to the caimans, I'm curious what land animals you are talking about, maybe I just don't remember.
I think anyone who appreciates marine life (particularly our local marine life) would enjoy a trip to the aquarium. Cetaceans aside, the aquarium still houses quite a few local animals that are hard to find anywhere else in the world. A couple of my favorite exhibits at the aquarium are the small tanks in Canadas arctic and treasures of the BC coast, that house animals like sand dollars, hagfish, gunnels, and nudibranch.
I grew up seeing belugas, dolphins, porpoise etc, but I honestly don't miss them. Sure I have many fond memories of them, but on my more recent trips I've started to appreciate the smaller things the aquarium has to offer. So idk. My recommendation to anyone who plans on visiting is to really take a look and try to appreciate what you would normally walk right past.
Anyway, besides a the parrots, and some vine snakes next to the caimans, I'm curious what land animals you are talking about, maybe I just don't remember.
I think anyone who appreciates marine life (particularly our local marine life) would enjoy a trip to the aquarium. Cetaceans aside, the aquarium still houses quite a few local animals that are hard to find anywhere else in the world. A couple of my favorite exhibits at the aquarium are the small tanks in Canadas arctic and treasures of the BC coast, that house animals like sand dollars, hagfish, gunnels, and nudibranch.
I grew up seeing belugas, dolphins, porpoise etc, but I honestly don't miss them. Sure I have many fond memories of them, but on my more recent trips I've started to appreciate the smaller things the aquarium has to offer. So idk. My recommendation to anyone who plans on visiting is to really take a look and try to appreciate what you would normally walk right past.
A male sea lion calf named Natoa was born recently. Mother is Rogue.
Other 2022 News:
On January 27th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) northern fur seal named Lola after he was deemed non-releaseable due to visual issues.
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On February 25th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.4) Amazon milk frogs which are now on exhibit in the Frogs Forever area.
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On February 28th, the aquarium announced they moved their (0.1) giant Pacific octopus named Ursula to the Strait of Georgia exhibit.
Wondering where our Giant Pacific Octopus is? We've moved her to the Strait of Georgia habitat! Ursula enjoys denning (hiding) and exploration like any... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
On April 20th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.0.1) Puget Sound king crab which is now on exhibit in the Treasures of BC Coast area.
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On July 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2+) mimic poison frogs hatched.
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On July 11th, the aquarium announced they reopened the Wet Lab to the public.
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On August 5th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.5+) phantasmal poison frogs hatched.
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On August 18th, the aquarium announced they reopened the Bat Cave to the public after closing it down for renovations and to replace the viewing glass.
The Bat Cave is once again open to the public! We've spent some time making renovations to their habitat and replacing the glass in the viewing area —... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
On August 21st, the aquarium announced they reopened the Yacare caiman exhibit to the public.
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On August 24th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.0.1) orange American lobster which is now on exhibit in the Wet Lab.
Wet Lab lobster molt | One of the newest arrivals at the Aquarium is the lobster in our freshly re-opened Wet Lab! Crustaceans such as lobsters need to molt periodically when... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
On August 26th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.2+?) red-tailed black sharks which are now on exhibit with the glass catfish in the Tropics Gallery.
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On September 12th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.1) giant Pacific octopus named Terrance which is now on exhibit in the Treasures of the BC Coast area.
We're excited to welcome the newest animal in our Treasures of the BC Coast exhibit! Meet Terrance (Terri for short), a female giant Pacific octopus!... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
*Misc News: On May 14th, the aquarium opened a new temporary exhibit called Wildlife Rescue, which ran until September 25th. Animals at the exhibit include Virginia opossum, domestic ferret, Burmese star tortoise, painted turtle, western foxsnake, Malagasy tree boa, Hog Island boa, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, New Caledonian crested gecko, cane toad, green-and-black dart frog, and Mexican red knee tarantula.
On January 27th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) northern fur seal named Lola after he was deemed non-releaseable due to visual issues.
登录 Facebook
On February 25th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.4) Amazon milk frogs which are now on exhibit in the Frogs Forever area.
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On February 28th, the aquarium announced they moved their (0.1) giant Pacific octopus named Ursula to the Strait of Georgia exhibit.
Wondering where our Giant Pacific Octopus is? We've moved her to the Strait of Georgia habitat! Ursula enjoys denning (hiding) and exploration like any... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
On April 20th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.0.1) Puget Sound king crab which is now on exhibit in the Treasures of BC Coast area.
登录 Facebook
On July 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2+) mimic poison frogs hatched.
登录 Facebook
On July 11th, the aquarium announced they reopened the Wet Lab to the public.
登录 Facebook
On August 5th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.5+) phantasmal poison frogs hatched.
登录 Facebook
On August 18th, the aquarium announced they reopened the Bat Cave to the public after closing it down for renovations and to replace the viewing glass.
The Bat Cave is once again open to the public! We've spent some time making renovations to their habitat and replacing the glass in the viewing area —... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
On August 21st, the aquarium announced they reopened the Yacare caiman exhibit to the public.
登录 Facebook
On August 24th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.0.1) orange American lobster which is now on exhibit in the Wet Lab.
Wet Lab lobster molt | One of the newest arrivals at the Aquarium is the lobster in our freshly re-opened Wet Lab! Crustaceans such as lobsters need to molt periodically when... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
On August 26th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.2+?) red-tailed black sharks which are now on exhibit with the glass catfish in the Tropics Gallery.
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On September 12th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.1) giant Pacific octopus named Terrance which is now on exhibit in the Treasures of the BC Coast area.
We're excited to welcome the newest animal in our Treasures of the BC Coast exhibit! Meet Terrance (Terri for short), a female giant Pacific octopus!... | By Vancouver Aquarium | Facebook
*Misc News: On May 14th, the aquarium opened a new temporary exhibit called Wildlife Rescue, which ran until September 25th. Animals at the exhibit include Virginia opossum, domestic ferret, Burmese star tortoise, painted turtle, western foxsnake, Malagasy tree boa, Hog Island boa, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, New Caledonian crested gecko, cane toad, green-and-black dart frog, and Mexican red knee tarantula.
squatch
Member
Only one shark currently, a blacktip reef shark. They have a whiptail ray in the same tank and xingu river rays in the amazon gallery. For land mammals they have geodis marmosets, two toed sloths, and jamaican fruit bats, and for marine they have harbor seal, california sea lion, stellars sea lion, and northern fur seals (currently not on exhibit). I'm not great with birds but iirc they have scarlet ibis, some sort of teal, and african penguins.
The whipray signage says himantura spp. but it’s definitely a reticulate whiptail ray, and the teal is ringed. They also have spiny dogfish, big skate, and spotted ratfish.
kermodei
Well-Known Member
The teals on display in the Amazon Gallery are ringed teals, very cute little ducks
[Photo source]
Also of note, The Amazon Gallery once featured both yellow-headed amazons and hyacinth macaws as well, though I am unsure if the aquarium still has either.
RIPPompadour
Active Member
The teals on display in the Amazon Gallery are ringed teals, very cute little ducks
Also of note, The Amazon Gallery once featured both yellow-headed amazons and hyacinth macaws as well, though I am unsure if the aquarium still has either.
A double yellow-fronted amazon, too. Friendly bird, though quite quick to revert to four-letter words.
I had to double check, and unfortunately it never got posted here- but I think it was in the SWT and PWSD of North America threads. Helen unfortunately passed away last year March
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Nature's Ninjas: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom is a temporary exhibit that will be at the aquarium from February 10th to September 4th. An armadillo, a hedgehog, a chameleon and a few other critters.
Nature's Ninjas
Nature's Ninjas
RIPPompadour
Active Member
It hasn’t been reported here yet, but Schoona (0.1 green sea turtle) was transferred to Ripley’s Aquarium Toronto in April. Multiple volunteers and staff today mentioned that her former habitat was going to be renovated in the autumn.
Meet Schoona, the giant endangered turtle joining Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto
Additionally, the vertical terrarium in the Amazon loop that housed a boa constrictor now holds a mid-sized (1.0) green iguana. Oscars and ghost knife fish have been mixed with the anacondas.
Vancouver Aquarium
Meet Schoona, the giant endangered turtle joining Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto
Additionally, the vertical terrarium in the Amazon loop that housed a boa constrictor now holds a mid-sized (1.0) green iguana. Oscars and ghost knife fish have been mixed with the anacondas.
Vancouver Aquarium
squatch
Member
I can also add that Natoa and his mom have moved in with the other female sea lions and the fur seals have returned to seal cove. The electric eel is also back on display in the Canaccord gallery, and the Puget Sound exhibit with spotted ratfish among other interesting creatures has re-opened. As for new arrivals since my last visit, frosted nudibranchs are on display in the sand dollar tank, bamboo and epaulette sharks are on display in the tank housing lionfish, and Mediterranean jellyfish have joined the spotted jellyfish in the Canaccord gallery.
Of course most of the animals in "natures ninjas" are new but honestly there's nothing special besides the armadillo . Most of the herps on display there could be seen in a pet store or a reptile expo if you get lucky (I'm assuming that's where most of them come from
). I'm not a fan of these new exhibitions, starting with the first one I already forgot the name of. They feel very lazily put together and many of the enclosures are inadequate. Every enclosure is the same size besides the large glass box that they decided to throw a sloth in, meaning the armadillo, iguana and other larger animals are stuck in enclosures that are far too small. I'm making a lot of assumptions but I'm guessing this could be because of new management after the aquarium got bought, it all feels like what a theme park company would do to make more profit. I just wish they could use the space for something permanent, like a very needed expansion to the tropical collection (more sharks maybe?) but I don't see that happening.
Id like to include some pictures but I cant find the button to make them hidden, and they take up a lot of space on the page (cant upload new media yet either).
Of course most of the animals in "natures ninjas" are new but honestly there's nothing special besides the armadillo . Most of the herps on display there could be seen in a pet store or a reptile expo if you get lucky (I'm assuming that's where most of them come from
). I'm not a fan of these new exhibitions, starting with the first one I already forgot the name of. They feel very lazily put together and many of the enclosures are inadequate. Every enclosure is the same size besides the large glass box that they decided to throw a sloth in, meaning the armadillo, iguana and other larger animals are stuck in enclosures that are far too small. I'm making a lot of assumptions but I'm guessing this could be because of new management after the aquarium got bought, it all feels like what a theme park company would do to make more profit. I just wish they could use the space for something permanent, like a very needed expansion to the tropical collection (more sharks maybe?) but I don't see that happening.Id like to include some pictures but I cant find the button to make them hidden, and they take up a lot of space on the page (cant upload new media yet either).
Vancouver Aquarium is sending away its group of African Penguins to the small aquarium inside West Edmonton Mall. They will be gone by the end of May and there is no word on what will happen with the empty penguin exhibit.
Here's a statement from the facility:
"Many animal species are increasingly at risk of extinction. Members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are collaboratively pooling their collective expertise, sharing facilities, and connecting their massive audiences to save species through the SAFE program.
African Penguins are currently listed as endangered in the wild. The Vancouver Aquarium, an accredited member of AZA, has been able to support the African Penguin SAFE program by providing a home to a small non-breeding group of African penguins.
An opportunity has been developed for these penguins to be relocated to another accredited facility in Edmonton where they will become part of a larger African Penguin colony. Although we are sad to see them go, this move will help further advance efforts to address population declines of this endangered species.
Stay tuned on our social media channels for updates."
Here's a statement from the facility:
"Many animal species are increasingly at risk of extinction. Members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are collaboratively pooling their collective expertise, sharing facilities, and connecting their massive audiences to save species through the SAFE program.
African Penguins are currently listed as endangered in the wild. The Vancouver Aquarium, an accredited member of AZA, has been able to support the African Penguin SAFE program by providing a home to a small non-breeding group of African penguins.
An opportunity has been developed for these penguins to be relocated to another accredited facility in Edmonton where they will become part of a larger African Penguin colony. Although we are sad to see them go, this move will help further advance efforts to address population declines of this endangered species.
Stay tuned on our social media channels for updates."
That’s good, that they can now add to the population. The penguin colony always seemed so small especially compared the stellar (ha) collection of marine mammals outside the exhibit. Just a strange addition in an otherwise great collection.