September 2011 - February 2012September 2011 - February 2012

ReachingNewHeights

a t t h e s u r f a c e . . .

Greetings members and friends,

I hope you had an opportunity to visit the Aquariumthis summer. By the looks of our admission reports,

many of you did! Membership attendance just for themonth of June was twice that of 2010. No doubt manyof you came to check out our newest attraction, theH-E-B Splash Park. Made possible by the generoussupport from our friends at H-E-B, this has proved tobe one of the most popular additions to the Aquarium.I hope you also had an opportunity to take a strollalong the new Wetlands Boardwalk, made possiblethrough a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project. Ourgoal is to add new programs and exhibits—andimprove existing ones—every year. We accomplishthis through the generous support from folks like you.It’s easy to see the changes we make each year to the“guest side” of our facility and grounds. However, wealso invest time and energy into improving our internaloperations. That’s one reason why I am so pleasedand proud of our team; once again we earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos andAquariums (AZA). Later this year, we will go throughthe Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariumsaccreditation process. The applications that we submit to these organizations are highly detailed, andthe onsite inspections are rigorous. From board governance and finance, to animal care and safety,every aspect of our operations is thoroughly examined.During our AZA inspection, the accreditation teamspecifically praised the appearance and health of ouranimal collection, our active and involved board oftrustees, and our education programs—in particularAquavision, our Flint Hills Resources DistanceLearning Program. They also commented on our“excellent record of growth and sound financial footing.” We would not have achieved these importantaccreditations without a talented and dedicated teamof staff, volunteers, and trustees, and the generoussupport of our members and donors. Together, we arecreating a world-class institution for South Texas, onethat merges entertainment and education, conservationand research, economic development and impact. Iappreciate your continued support for helping us togrow and prosper.

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tSA preSident

And ceo

. . . with Tom Schmid

Since opening in 1990, the Texas State Aquariumhas grown and changed, offering many more

opportunities to connect people with nature. Someenhancements like Dolphin Bay feature magnificentocean animals; others, like the new H-E-B Splash

Park, provide added family fun. What has not changedover the years is the value we place on the animals inour care, and our commitment to meet the higheststandards of animal husbandry. A skilled and committedanimal care staff is essential, but also important are themany “behind-the-scenes” and support systems inplace that make our efforts a success. Sound financialmanagement, on-going staff training, engaging education programs, diverse retail operations—the listgoes on and these all play a part in supporting ourmission and values.

Every five years, the Aquarium is put under a microscope and evaluated by the Association of Zoos& Aquariums (AZA). A thorough investigation ensuresthe Aquarium is and will continue to meet ever-risingaccreditation standards. AZA’s top priority is the care

Texas State AquariumEarns Accreditation

Aquatic exhibits display amazing marine life.

c u r r e n t e v e n t s

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Accreditation from AZA designates the

highest standards for animal care, and a vital

part of that care at the Texas State Aquarium

is provided by Dr. David Stelling, our staff

veterinarian. Dr. Stelling joined the Aquarium

team in January 2011 and has the primary

role of overseeing the healthcare of the entire

animal collection. His attention to detail and

clinical skills are a huge asset to the Aquarium

as we continue to expand and diversify the

animal collection.

Dr. Stelling graduated from the Iowa State

University veterinary school in 1987. He then

built a private practice in Miami, Florida with

special interest in non-traditional pets like

birds, fish, reptiles, ferrets, and rabbits.

Before joining the Texas State Aquarium, Dr.

Stelling volunteered at the Miami Seaquarium

for several years; he also worked treating

injured animals at a wildlife rehabilitation

center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Dr. Stelling’s personal interests include the

conservation of native wildlife and ecosystems.

He credits the Texas State Aquarium’s

emphases on education and preservation as

key qualities

that led to

his decision

to further his

career here.

Dr. David Stelling

Education programs address local and global conservation issues.

The animals are healthy and well cared for.

Dr. Stelling treats apatient with

assistance fromJessica Cantu,

Husbandry Assistant

of animals; its standards are constantly reviewed and become more demanding each year. TheAquarium was granted accreditation by AZA’sAccreditation Commission this past March, its fourthsuch endorsement since opening.

“Not all aquariums are the same. Texas StateAquarium is one of the best in the world because it hasmet the highest standards in the world,” said AZAPresident and CEO Jim Maddy. “It takes hard workand dedication to meet Association of Zoos andAquariums Accreditation Standards.” In addition toanimal care, essential requirements for accreditationinclude conservation and education. “Members of theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums are centers ofconservation and education, and the National ScienceFoundation found that zoo and aquarium education

(continued on page 4)

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The Aquarium facilities are clean and well maintained.

Aquarium staff provides exceptional guest service.

A wide variety of audiences take part in Aquarium programs.

pages of attachments detailing programs, policies,and procedures. Every area is evaluated, including animal and veterinary care, safety, security, conservation,education, interpretation, guest services, staff, volunteers,finances, research, and governing authority.

Then in December 2010, a team of trained zoo andaquarium professionals conducted a meticulous on-site inspection. The team looked at all aspects ofthe Aquarium’s operations, from freezers to food, fromlighting to locks. They opened doors, scrutinizedrecords, and interviewed more than 20 staff. By theend of their visit, the team had prepared a thorough,30-page written report for the AccreditationCommission. The team offered praise for numerousattributes, including an enthusiastic and hard-workingstaff, a healthy animal collection, sound financial footing, distance learning and offsite educational programs, and an actively engaged Board of Trustees.

Finally in March 2011, Tom Schmid, Texas StateAquarium President & CEO was interviewed at a formal Commission hearing. After a short and positivemeeting, the Commission granted accreditation to theAquarium.

Staff understands the achievement the designationsignifies. “AZA accreditation is the culmination ofmonths of preparations and hard work by every

department in the Aquarium. The accreditationprocess is an opportunity for Aquarium staff to highlightall of the great programs and work that goes on atTSA,” said Jesse Gilbert, the Aquarium’s Director ofAnimal Husbandry.

The Aquarium’s Dolphin Bay marine mammal program also achieved a milestone this spring throughits participation in the Atlantic bottlenose dolphinbreeding consortium. The Aquarium’s role in this groupis to house adolescent male dolphins. Every five years,the dolphin program undergoes a rigorous peer reviewby the other members of the consortium, with anintense inspection that rivals AZA accreditation. TheAquarium passed inspection with very positive feedback and remarks, affirming that the Aquarium’s

(continued from page 3)

programs are highly effective at teaching people aboutscience,” said Maddy.

The accreditation process took nearly a year tocomplete and included three parts: an application, atwo-day inspection, and a hearing before theAccreditation Commission. Aquarium staff beganpreparations in Spring 2010, and in late August submitted the 25-page application along with 700

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TSA is proud to announce its partnershipwith Event Network Inc. (EN), a

professional retail operator specializing in zoos andaquariums. EN assumed responsibility for gift shopoperations in early June. EN brings a considerableamount of expertise and provides a wide array of quality,

reasonably priced products. Members continue toreceive the 10% discount benefit throughout the year.

Partnering with EN will allow the Aquarium to focusmore attention on its mission of connecting people withnature and inspiring conservation of the Gulf of Mexicowhile enhancing the guest retail shopping experience.

Retail Operations Under New Management

from A to ZStandards

Accreditation

A – Animals!B – BylawsC – Conservation messages D – Divers in the waterE – Emergency plansF – FinancesG – Guest servicesH – Habitat conservationI – InterpretationJ – Job descriptionsK – Keeper chatsL – LibraryM – Medical recordsN – NutritionO – Operating budgetP – Preventive maintenance Q – QuarantineR – ResearchS – Safety Audit PlanT – TrainingU – USDA inspection reportsV – VolunteersW – Water qualityX – X-ray machineY – YoungstersZ – aZa !

Animal care involves skills and knowledge in more than just biology.

The Aquarium’s bird rehabilitation program is a huge contributionto regional conservation efforts.

operations and care of the animals are in line with consortium goals and standards. Later this year, themarine mammal program will be further scrutinizedthrough accreditation with the Alliance of MarineMammal Parks and Aquariums.

Members and supporters of the Aquarium canidentify other AZA member institutions by their logoand can have assurance they are supporting anorganization dedicated to providing excellent care foranimals, a great experience for you, and a better futurefor all living things. For more information, please visitwww.aza.org.

climate on the oceanand oyster populationsin South Texas, and how each citizen canparticipate in conservingthis resource. Then they worked with the other delegations to develop a proclamation, which speaksof their concerns and hopes for the future of our oceanand coasts, and their commitment to take action intheir local communities to make a difference.

On Capitol Hill day, the Texas delegation met withRepresentative Blake Farenthold’s staff and then visited with the Congressman outside the HouseChamber. The entire Summit delegation presentedtheir consensus proclamation to Congressman SamFarr, Co-Chair of the House Ocean Caucus; Dr.Rebecca Blank, Deputy Secretary of Commerce; andJean-Michel Cousteau representing the non-governmental ocean community. The students

received recognition from assistant and deputy secretaries from several agencies.

Since returning home, the team has implementedtheir action plan by developing materials and participating in local fairs and festivals. The studentspresent information and activities to highlight the ecological importance of oysters in Texas bays andpromote the oyster reef restoration project. The teamshares information with young children and their families and helps the children make an oyster craft.The students are continuing their efforts at more localevents throughout 2011.

The student blog is found at ccoceansummit.blogspot.com. For more information about the oyster shellrecycling program, go to www.oysterecycling.org.

The National Student Summit is funded through Coastal America in partnership with the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers including the Texas State Aquarium and federal agency partners.

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Conservation

L ast fall and winter, the Texas State Aquariumworked with a group of local high school students

and their teacher on coastal conservation issues inpreparation for the Third National Student Summit onthe Oceans and Coasts. Four exceptional studentsfrom Moody High School in Corpus Christi were chosenbecause of their strong interest in environmental science, desire to work with scientists, positive attitudes, technological skills, and creativity.

While researching topics for the Summit, the studentsmet with Dr. Jennifer Pollack at the Harte ResearchInstitute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Thestudents became fascinated with the oyster shell recycling program which reclaims oyster shells fromlocal restaurants and returns them to local oyster reefsto restore this important habitat. The project is a partnership with the University, local restaurants, thePort of Corpus Christi, and others. They spent the nextfew months researching oysters and developing anaction plan. In February, the Texas delegation traveledto Washington, D.C. to participate in the NationalStudent Summit. The agenda was packed with interaction with policy makers and celebrities. Theopening event set the stage, with Jim Toomey’s creativeand inspiring presentation using his Sherman’s Lagooncartoon characters, and NOAA’s Policy Director’soverview of the Administration’s new ocean policy.

Over the next two days, the students presentedtheir efforts to raise awareness of the effects of changing

Luisandrea Diaz shares information about oysters at EarthDay/Bay Day event at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

Kevin Dirksmeyer, Aaron Suarez, Vinay Dulip (Moody H.S. teacher),Sandy Cherniss (Texas State Aquarium), Luisandrea Diaz, andAmanda Salinas at the Third National Student Summit on theOceans and Coasts.

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The National MarineSanctuary Foundation

and the Flower GardenBanks National MarineSanctuary (FGBNMS) providedgenerous funding for therecent upgrades to ourFlower Garden Banks exhibit. This is the firstupdate to this gallery sincethe Aquarium opened in1990, which was before theFlower Garden Banks wasdesignated as a NationalMarine Sanctuary. New vividgraphics and backlit panels,in English and Spanish, tellthe story of the Sanctuary—what makes it unique andwhy it’s important to the Gulfof Mexico. A new backdropand two new touch screeninteractives provide more in-depth information on theSanctuary and its animals.

Other improvements to the gallery were made“behind the scenes.” These include new eco-friendlyLED lighting above the exhibit, a new catwalk toimprove access to the exhibit by aquarists, and a newdiver communications system for interactive publicprograms.

In addition to funding, the FGBNMS staff alsoconducted training sessions for staff and volunteers.The sessions provided an overview and updates onthe Sanctuary, and highlighted current and upcomingresearch projects. While the training was a greatopportunity for participants, it will ultimately benefit ourguests. An added bonus session geared towardEducation staff was packed full of activities appropriatefor upcoming programs and workshops.

FGBNMS is one of your many federally-protectedmarine sanctuaries. What can you doto help? For starters, stop by theFlower Garden Banks gallery andenjoy a dive show. Learn about wayspeople help protect the breathtakingbeauty on the reef. Visit flowergarden.noaa.gov on the web. And whynot consider volunteering at theAquarium, whether as an ExhibitGuide or Diver, to help otherguests learn about and value theSanctuary’s resources? You’ll beglad you did!

New Look For The Flower Garden Banks

T S A e v e n t c a l e n d a r

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animals call them “home,sweet home.” See howthese resilient creatureslive and even thrive in this sometimes-harshenvironment. Included isstory time, a marshymelody, hands-on activities including an artproject, and a visit to seethe salt marsh exhibits.

december 3FishmasIt’s time for jolly spirits,good cheer,…and holidaycrafting! Preschoolers willmake their own crittercrafts and ornaments togive the tree a hint ofmarine merriment.

January 21It’s a Moray What is green and slimyand lives in the ocean? Ifyour answer was an eel,you’re right! Come learnall about the secrete livesof eels and try to find ourresident eels in the Flower

Garden Banks.

February 4Is a Jelly Fish really made ofJelly?SeaSchoolers will explorethe mystical world of thejellyfish with their own tentacles. We’ll make ajellyfish costume, see thebasic parts of a jellyfish,sample “jellyfish” of a tastysort, and determine if ajellyfish really is made ofjelly.

SeaSchoolers (ages 4 - 6)Programs limited to 10children. Reservations are required. Call (361) 653-2620.

time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.place: Family LearningCenter at TSAFee: Member child, $10Member parent, freeNon-member child, $15Non-member adult, TSAadult admission

September 3Coral Critters What looks like a flower,can sting like a bee, has acup-like skeleton, andlives in the sea? Coral, ofcourse! SeaSchoolers willexamine various corals,including the coral in theFlower Garden Banks

exhibit.

october 8Deep Sea CrittersEver wonder what lurks inthe deep ocean? Join thefun as we transform into adeep sea creature andexplore the depths thatthese creatures call home.Listen to a story, create aproject, and take homematerials to learn moreabout these fishes.

november 5Marvelous MuckWhat’s so marvelousabout marshes? Someconsider them worthlessand smelly, but many

Cancellation PolicyIf you need to cancel your reservation,please call (361) 654-1450 at least 48hours in advance. The Aquariumreserves the right to cancel a programif there are fewer than 5 registrations48 hours before the program. If theAquarium cancels a program, any paidregistration fees may be fully refundedor applied to a future program.

Adopt-A-BeachClean UpsSeptember 24

February 11

Get your gloves, hat andsunscreen ready for theAdopt-a-Beach clean-ups!The Texas State Aquariuminvites everyone to comeout and clean CorpusChristi Beach. Registrationbegins at 8:30 a.m. andwe will clean the beachfrom 9:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m. We will provide trashbags and gloves. After thecleanup, have pizza and agiveaway provided by theTexas State Aquarium andthe Texas General LandOffice, as a token ofappreciation for helpingkeep our beaches clear ofdebris. For more information, please call(361) 881-1259.

Volunteer OrientationSeptember 10

october 8

november 12

december 10

January 14

February 11

time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Do you love animals?Would you like to help theenvironment? Come jointhe great volunteers thathelp care for our animals,maintain the exhibits, andinteract with and entertainour guests. Learn aboutthe various opportunitiesduring one of our orientation sessions. Aftera general overview, youwill meet with an areasupervisor and receive ashort tour of their area.Call (361) 881-1256 toreserve a spot for orientation.

Reminder! Due tolimited space,reservations arerequired for all

classes. Please callwell in advance.

SensationalSustainableSeafoodLooking for new ways tocook the ocean’s bounty?Join us on the 2ndTuesday of every monthfor a cooking classdesigned to teach youhow to select and preparefresh, sustainableseafood. Some of thefinest chefs in SouthTexas will be here to sharetheir secrets. Adults only,please. [Schedule is subject to change withoutnotice.]

time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.place: TSA LobbyFee: Members, $15 Non-members, $20Reservations are required.Email your reservation tocampin@txstateaq.org orcall (361) 653-2654.

September 13PF Chang’s

october 11Johnny D’sChef John Dominguez

november 8White Stripe CateringChef Scott Stover

december 13Tavern on the BayChef Christian Gomez

January 10 H-E-B PLUS! On SaratogaChef Adrian Perez &Gordon Taylor

February 14Texas State AquariumWater’s Edge Catering

T S A e v e n t c a l e n d a r

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February 1-29 Land & Sea PartnershipThroughout the month ofFebruary, Members of theAquarium will have fiveattractions to visit! YourTexas State Aquariummembership card will gainyou HALF OFF admissionto:• Art Museum of South

texas (361) 825-3500• USS Lexington

Museum on the Bay

(361) 888-4873• corpus christi

Museum of Science &

history (361) 826-4667

• South texas Botanical

Gardens & nature

center (361) 852-2100

Take advantage of somewonderful resources in theCoastal Bend and receive

a 10% discount on anew membership

at any ofthese facilities. Formore

informationand hours

ofoperation,please call thefacility you wishto visit. Please showyour TSA membershipcard and a picture IDwhen visiting.

ImportantDatesoctober 3-7Intersession CampWe’ll feature fun-filledactivities focusing on Gulfof Mexico creatures. Toregister, please call (361) 881-1204 or email rgossett@txstateaq.org.Registration deadline isSeptember 23th. Ages: K5-6th gradetime: 7:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.place: SeaLabFee: Member child, $200Non-member child, $225

november 21-23Mini-SeaCampJoin us for fun marineactivities duringThanksgiving week! Thisadventure will include arts& crafts, fishing, and educational programs. Toregister, please call (361) 881-1204 or emailrgossett@txstateaq.org. Ages: K5-6th gradetime: M/Tu 7:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Wed 7:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.place: SeaLabFee: Member child, $130Non-member child, $155

november 24Aquarium closed forThanksgiving Day

december 4Dollar Day

december 25Aquarium closed forChristmas Day

January 16Dollar Day

Eight middle school teams from around the area competed in the Aquarium’s 2011Oceanography Challenge tournament. Our deepest thanks to all of the competitors,

coaches, and parents for the time they spent preparing for this tournament. Most importantly, we appreciate your interest in the coastal and ocean issues!

1st place - Incarnate Word Academy

Coach: Colleen Duzich, Hank Carrillo, Jared Coco, Paul Flood, Ethan Elizondo, KatieDuncan

2nd place - Annapolis Christian Academy

Coach: Jackie Hanks, Andrew Hanks, Sarah Miller, Hannah Avery, Thomas Hanks,Grayson Sigler

3rd place - Kaffie Middle School

Coach: Mary Trevino, Katie Stubbins, Dalton Scorgie, Nick Mendleski, Micaela Lindeen,Stephanie Rodriguez

Funding generously provided by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. Competition rooms generously provided by TexasA&M University-Corpus Christi.

Oceanography Challenge 2011

Incarnate Word Academy took top honors at the 2011 Oceanography Challenge.

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dd ee vv ee ll oo pp mm ee nn tt nn ee ww ss d e v e l o p m e n t n e w s

There’s a whole lot of splashing going on at theAquarium! Thanks to a generous $250,000

donation from H-E-B, the Aquarium celebrated thebeginning of summer with the Grand Opening of theH-E-B Splash Park on Memorial Day weekend! As thefirst and only zero-depth water play park in the CoastalBend, the H-E-B Splash Park features a 90-gallondump bucket, water cannons, and spray jets to cooloff children and adults alike!

Adjacent to the Splash Park is Owen’s Paleo Park,named after Owen Hopkins, a well-loved, local geologist who imagined a place where children couldunearth fossilized remains of prehistoric animals thatroamed the Coastal Bend. Mr. Hopkins’s idea hasbeen realized here at the Texas State Aquarium, wherefamilies, friends, and co-workers made generous contributions to underwrite the cost of building Owen’s

Paleo Park as a tribute to his memory and the tremendous contributions he made to our community.

H-E-B Splash Park

You can now easily donate to the Texas StateAquarium with your mobile phone*. It is easy and

secure, and your donation will help us continue toeducate the public on conservation, care for sick and injured animals, and lead the community in conservation programs and efforts. From sea turtles tosharks to all creatures in between, no matter how yougive, you can feel good about helping the Aquariumsave wildlife in wild places. Simply text the wordTXAQUA to the number 20222. You will receive a confirmation text to which you must reply with theword YES…then your donation is complete! *Messaging and Data Rates May Apply. See the Aquarium website for more details.

Give By Cell!

See more pictures on page 13!

Text TXAQUA to 20222 to Donate $10!

Tom Schmid, TSA President and CEO, accepts a generous donationfrom H-E-B officials at the grand opening.

Tom Schmid, Aquarium President and CEO, and PepsiCo officialsofficially opened the Wetlands Walk in May 2011. The Aquariumwas awarded a $50,000 grant from the PepsiCo Refresh Project –Do Good for the Gulf campaign, which partially funded the newexhibit. The new boardwalk allows Aquarium guests to explore awetland environment and learn about the importance of marshareas and their impact on the ecosystem.

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w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g ?

Q: what do the animals eat? A: Their diets are as varied as the animals themselves.Our raptors eat rats, mice, quail, rabbit, and a meat-eating bird diet. Our shorebirds eat a loaf made fromMazuri® flamingo food, shrimp, silversides (a type offish), and vitamins, as well as live fish and crabs. Ourparrots eat parrot diet, fresh fruit and vegetables(broccoli is their favorite), nuts, and sunflower seeds,plus an occasional coconut or pepper for a treat. Ourwhite-faced coati enjoys bananas and raisins, otherfresh fruits and vegetables, omnivore pellets, and adiet called “carnivore care.”

Q: do you have a favorite animal? A: Each animal comes with its own set of strengthsand challenges…it would be very difficult to pick afavorite. “Koji,” our military macaw is fun to watch—he becomes very excited when he meets new people. “Zeppo,” our green-winged macaw has numerous mimicry vocals, so hecan be very entertaining!

Q: what’s the hardest part ofyour job?

A: Probably one that is also themost enjoyable: problem solving relative to animal training. Animalbehavior is shaped much likehuman behavior…basically, behaviorthat is reinforced will increase, andbehavior that is not reinforced willdecrease. However, animals don’talways make it obvious if we arereinforcing the right things. So it’sup to us to learn the animal’s signals,and come up with clever ways toreinforce desirable behaviors.

Q: what’s your favorite thingto do each day?

A: Interacting with the animals in ourcare and helping others to do thesame. The Texas State Aquariumprovides a unique learning venue with one-on-oneinteractions with animals. I like to see guests react asthey interact with the tamandua, or take a picture with“Cleo” our Swainson’s hawk and learn how thisspecies migrates hundreds of miles every year.

Q: how do the birds know where to fly? is ittrust or training or both?

A: It is trust in the sense that the animal can predictthe type of interaction they will have with us, and thatinteraction will be positive. It is training in the sensethat through approximations we have taught whichbehaviors will be reinforced and set a predictable pattern of interaction. Trainers refer to this concept asour “relationship” with the animal or our reinforcementhistory that has been built.

Accreditation from AZA means that the TexasState Aquarium maintains the highest standards

in animal care. Jason Slade is responsible for a largecollection of birds and mammals that appear daily atthe Hawn Wild Flight Theater. Jason talks about theanimals in his care.

Q: what types of animals do you care for?A: A big variety! We care for the Wild Flight show animals, including raptors, rats, an African serval, awhite-faced coati, and a southern tamandua. We alsohave animals in training that aren’t always seen by ourguests.

Ask The Curatorcu·ra·tor

Pronunciation: Etymology: Latin, from curare, to take care of

Jason Slade, Curator of Birds and Mammals

‘Kimani,’ an African serval

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w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g ?

Can you dig it? Discover the prehistoricpast at Owen’s Paleo Park.

Book your holiday party with usbefore 9/30/11 and we will giveyou your first 50 guests free (a $300 savings)! Call now toreserve your date.

The best wedding favor ever! Giveyour guests a Dolphin Presentationon your special day.

Catch your ZZZs under th

e sea.

Call us to book your special event. We look forward to hosting your wedding, birthday party, orovernight camp in! We willhelp you splash the nightaway in our new H-E-BSplash Park!

Call (361) 881-1307 for moreinformation and pricing oremail reserve@txstateaq.orgDancing away the night.

Dining with the Dolphins takes on a newmeaning at the Texas State Aquarium.

Get up close and personal with one of

our animals.

Memories in theMaking!

w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g ?

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Our bird rehabilitation department is getting amakeover! Since our staff not only cares for

birds and sea turtles, and assists with a marine mammal if needed, they arenow known as “Wildlife CareSpecialists.” The upgrades tothe marine mammal pool atSeaLab are complete, providedby NOAA’s Prescott grant program which specificallyass is ts mar ine mammal rehabilitation centers acrossthe United States. We have a new sal twater make-up system, filtration, pumps, acrane for lifting animals, and anew kitchen area.

On the bird side we had abusy spring with owls. By thefirst part of July, we had treated39 owls, including 21 greathorned owls! Some were justbabies and others were fledg-lings. People often confuse thetwo. If a young bird is fullyfeathered, it is a fledgling andcan fly. However, they often donot have much control overtheir flights and end up on theground. If you see a bird on theground, the best thing to do isto keep your pets inside andwatch. Often the parents arearound to keep an eye on theyoung bird. If the bird is still onthe ground after 24 hours, thencall us at (361) 881-1210 orbring it to our SeaLab facilityduring normal operating hours.Once the bird is removed fromthe area and comes to us, it isa longer process to get it backout again.

Overall, our wildlife carecenter is at capacity. Every outside “mew” (holding space)and flight cage is full of raptors,and still animals are beingadmitted. Lucky for most ofthese babies and fledglings,they grow up, go though conditioning, learn to hunt, andare returned to the wild!

Wildlife Rehabilitation

V isitors to the Texas State Aquarium beat the heatthis summer by cooling off in the new H-E-B

Splash Park! Walking up the ramp, and even waiting inline, became a source of entertainment as folkswatched children jump through fountains, shoot watercannons, run through the “car wash,” and most entertaining, wait for the gigantic dump bucket to spillover. Owen’s Paleo Park stayed busy with future paleontologists unearthing fossilized remains from animals that roamed the Coastal Bend 13,000 yearsago. Parents wasted no time getting in the sand withtheir children, digging, brushing, and discovering thefossils together. The gift shop had a portable kiosk inthe H-E-B Splash Park where guests could buy sunscreen, towels, or souvenirs, and the food courtkept folks hydrated and cooled off with a selection ofdrinks and Dipping Dots®. Add that to some funmusic and tables with umbrellas, and our guests hadthe recipe for a great afternoon at the Aquarium! As the weather changes this fall and winter, operatinghours for the H-E-B Splash Park will change, so check the Aquarium’s website and Facebook pagefor updates.

A Splashing Success!

Just a baby!

Growing up.

Almost there.

Release!

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ConnectThe Dots

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Check out these books from Weston’s

Library! These books have been recognized

as a great read!

if a dolphin were a Fish by Loran

Wlodarski: Presidents Book Award

Flotsam by David Wiesner-Caldecott Medal

dolphin talk: whistles, clicks, and

clapping Jaws by Wendy Pfeffer

k i d s ’ f u n !

hand print dolphin (Adapted fromHand-Print Animal Art)! • Use your fingers, hands, and feetto make an ocean of fishes. • You will need plain printing paper,washable paint, markers and apaper plate.• Using a paper plate to mix colors,cover your hand in your choicecolor of paint. Place your paintedhand on the paper to make thebody, use your fingers andthumbs to add a dorsal fin, flip-pers and a tale. After the paintdries use markers to add detailssuch as eyes, a blowhole, and amouth.

• Try making as many sea animalsas you can using your hands,feet, fingers, and toes.

Here at the Texas State Aquarium, we takevery good care of our dolphins! To help

us celebrate, join in some fun dolphinactivities!

Across1. Dolphins’ favorite snack4. 3 marine mammal stars found at the Aquarium5. Hole that dolphins breath through6. Number of dolphins at Dolphin BayDown2. The oldest dolphin at the aquarium3. The lightest colored dolphin5. DJ is Shadow’s little ___________

Word Bankfish, brother, dolphins, Shadow, three, blowhole, Kai

COLO

R M

E IN

!

COLOR ME IN!

Dolphin Fun!

Family FunActivities

Bookworm

Dolphin Bay Word Search1 2

4

5

6

3

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1 - F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 1 5

The Alliance of MarineMammal Parks andAquariums is an international associationrepresenting marine lifeparks, aquariums, zoos,research facilities, andprofessional organizationsdedicated to the highest

standards of care for marine mammals and to theirconservation in the wild through public education,scientific study, and wildlife presentations.

The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA isAmerica’s leading accrediting organization for zoosand aquariums, and accredits only those institutionsthat have achieved rigorous, professional standardsfor animal care and management, veterinary care,wildlife conservation and research, education, safety,staffing, and more. Look for the AZA logo wheneveryou visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance thatyou are supporting a facility dedicated to providingexcellent care for animals, a great experience for you,and a better future for all living things. With its morethan 200 accredited members, AZA is building NorthAmerica’s largest wildlife conservation movementand is your link to helping animals in their nativehabitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.

The Texas StateAquarium was designated as a Coastal America CoastalEcosystem LearningCenter in 1998. CoastalAmerica combines theresources of federalagencies with marine

educational centers. The mutual partnershipextends to involving communities in protection,preservation, and restoration projects throughoutthe Nation.

Proud Partners with

w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g ?

A capacity crowd enjoyed the annual 4th of July Members’ Picnic at the Texas StateAquarium, with front row seats for the fireworks display.

Over 900 children enjoyedfish, friends, and fun atSeaCamp 2011! Registrationfor SeaCamp 2012 willbegin in February—watchour website for details.

T he Texas State Aquarium’sAquateen volunteers

are out-going, hard-workingteens who are interested inlearning more about theAquarium and the Gulf ofMexico. Applications areaccepted once a year in thespring for a limited number ofspots. This summer, over 40teens gave of their time andtalents in various areas of theAquarium. Every Friday, theAquaTeens picked up trashon Corpus Christi Beach andtransported materials fromTSA’s recycling stations to thepick up containers.

Teen Volunteers Do Their Part

Alex Harrell brings awareness about thenumber of plastic bags we use and theproblems they cause at the Aquarium’s4th of July party.

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1235

Corpus Christi, TX

How To Contact Us:Accounting (361) 881-1286Admissions (361) 881-1230Donations & Development (361) 881-1324Education & SeaCamp (361) 881-1204Executive Offices (361) 881-1254Food Court (361) 881-1205General Information (361) 881-1200Gift Shop (361) 881-1232Group Reservations & Rentals

(361) 881-1307Guide Office (361) 881-1252Injured Animal (361) 881-1210Membership (361) 881-1341Volunteers (361) 881-1256

Texas State Aquarium2710 N. ShorelineCorpus Christi, Texas 78402-1097(361) 881-1200www.texasstateaquarium.org

The Star is published by the Texas State Aquarium for supporters and Members of the TexasState Aquarium. © 2011 by Texas State Aquarium Association, a not-for-profit organization.

Our MissionConnecting people with nature and inspiring conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.

Our VisionTo be a nationally-recognized Aquariumleader in creating entertaining, educationally-enriching programming; conducting wildlife rehabilitation; and supporting conservation.

Hours of OperationWinter Hours:9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Monday - Sunday(begins September 5)

Summer Hours:9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Monday - Sunday(begins March 1)

w w w . t e x a s s t a t e a q u a r i u m . o r g

Supporting the President’s Council helps

your Aquarium grow!By joining now your support will assist in:

• Providing 60,000 students each year with educational programsabout animals and their habitats;

• Attending to the needs of hundreds of sick and injured shorebirds,raptors, sea turtles and stranded dolphins;

• Supporting exhibit expansions and capital improvements, andaddressing critical needs as they arise;

• Caring for thousands of animals that call the Aquarium home; and• Sharing the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico with 500,000 guests

each year and connecting people to nature.

As a President’s Council member, you will enjoy the following benefits!• Membership and Guest Passes• Invitations to exclusive Aquarium receptions• Discount of 10% on one facility rental at the Aquarium• Recognition on the Annual Donor Wall under the President’s

Council Section• Recognition in the Annual Report• A subscription to the Star Magazine

Please call or email the Development Office for more information at (361)881-1324 or development@txstateaq.org.