Texas State Aquarium

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Texas State Aquarium
Texas State Aquarium Exterior.jpg
The Texas State Aquarium
Texas State Aquarium
27°48′50″N97°23′32″W / 27.81389°N 97.39222°W / 27.81389; -97.39222
Date openedJuly 6, 1990 [1]
Location Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Land area6.3 acres (2.5 ha) [2]
Volume of largest tank400,000 US gal (1,500,000 L)
Memberships AZA [3]
Website texasstateaquarium.org
Texas State Aquarium Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium is a nonprofit aquarium located in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. It aims to promote environmental conservation and rehabilitation of the wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1995. It is the largest aquarium in Texas and one of the largest aquaria in the United States.

Contents

History

Originally conceived by a coalition led by the Junior League of Corpus Christi, and named the Gulf Coast Zoological and Botanical Society, the organization changed its name to the Corpus Christi Aquarium Association in 1978, and then to Texas State Aquarium Association in 1986 after the Texas State Legislature designated it the "State Aquarium of Texas". Despite its name, it receives no state funding. [2]

After more than 20 years of fundraising, planning, and building, the Texas State Aquarium opened its first exhibit to the public on July 6, 1990. In 1993, it became a federally permitted animal rehabilitation facility, and in 1995, it was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). [2]

On May 13, 2017, the Texas State Aquarium opened Caribbean Journey, an expansion that doubled its size and added new exhibits, including a 400,000-gallon shark exhibit, a jungle aviary, and a 4D theater.

The president and chief executive officer of the aquarium is Jesse Gilbert. [4] [5]

Exhibits

The Maya Ruins in Caribbean Journey's jungle houses vampire bats and reptiles. Maya Ruins.jpg
The Maya Ruins in Caribbean Journey's jungle houses vampire bats and reptiles.

The animals in this aquarium are often relocated, so this page may not reflect the most recent changes. Exhibits may include the following:

The 400,000 gal H-E-B Caribbean Sea exhibits sandbar sharks among a replica shipwreck. Sharks in HEB Caribbean Sea.jpg
The 400,000 gal H-E-B Caribbean Sea exhibits sandbar sharks among a replica shipwreck.
Dolphin Bay displays four bottlenose dolphins from above and below the water. Dolphin Bay.jpg
Dolphin Bay displays four bottlenose dolphins from above and below the water.

Programs

In addition to regular tours, the Texas State Aquarium offers many other educational programs. [7]

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References

  1. The Handbook of Texas Online: Texas State Aquarium
  2. 1 2 3 "History". texasstateaquarium.org. Texas State Aquarium. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  3. "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA . Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  4. "The Texas State Aquarium Board of Directors Appoints Jesse Gilbert as President and CEO". Texas State Aquarium. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  5. The Loop: Under-Whelming
  6. "Texas State Aquarium wins fish kill lawsuit". Corpus Christi Business News. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  7. "Texas State Aquarium: Education" . Retrieved 16 August 2015.