Texas State Aquarium | |
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27°48′50″N97°23′32″W / 27.81389°N 97.39222°W | |
Date opened | July 6, 1990 [1] |
Location | Corpus Christi, Texas, United States |
Land area | 6.3 acres (2.5 ha) [2] |
Volume of largest tank | 400,000 US gal (1,500,000 L) |
Memberships | AZA [3] |
Website | texasstateaquarium.org |
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.
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]
The animals in this aquarium are often relocated, so this page may not reflect the most recent changes. Exhibits may include the following:
In addition to regular tours, the Texas State Aquarium offers many other educational programs. [7]
The National Aquarium – also known as National Aquarium in Baltimore and formerly known as Baltimore Aquarium – is a non-profit public aquarium located at 501 East Pratt Street on Pier 3 in the Inner Harbor area of downtown Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. Constructed during a period of urban renewal in Baltimore, the aquarium opened on August 8, 1981. The aquarium has an annual attendance of 1.5 million visitors and is the largest tourism attraction in the State of Maryland. The aquarium holds more than 2,200,000 US gallons (8,300,000 L) of water, and has more than 17,000 specimens representing over 750 species. The National Aquarium's mission is to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures. The aquarium's stated vision is to confront pressing issues facing global aquatic habitats through pioneering science, conservation, and educational programming.
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