Making a Difference at OdySea Aquairum

Partnerships

Arizona Game & Fish Department

The Arizona Game & Fish Department’s mission is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations.

OdySea Aquarium is proud to partner with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to bring awareness to these native trout species and help to ensure their survival and their place in our local ecosystem.

Apache Trout Conservation

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Apache Trout Conservation Transcription

Hi, my name is Dave and I'm the director of Animal Care and Conservation for OdySea Aquarium, and we're standing in our beautiful Rivers of the World Gallery. Most of this gallery features freshwater fishes from all over the world, and right now we're in our American section. We actually have Amazon animals as well as Asian animals and this is just the freshwater rivers that are found, representatives from the freshwater rivers found all around the world.

Behind us is a very special exhibit, we have a partnership with Arizona Fish and Game and with them we’re displaying species that are native to Arizona that are threatened. One of the species you see is the Apache Trout, which is the state fish of Arizona. These Apache trout are found in rivers throughout Arizona, the problem is the numbers are being decimated so we need to make sure that we keep these numbers high and keep the species alive for generations to come. These animals are in danger for a number of reasons: habitat destruction, runoff from farms, and overfishing. Arizona Game and Fish tries to manage these numbers by restocking large lakes and rivers each year. They also do a census on these animals to keep track of how many approximately that there are in the state as well as disease management to look at all these animals and make sure they don't have anything that could make them susceptible to wiping out the species.

In the wild, Apache Trout size ranges anywhere between 6 to 24 inches. The animals you see behind us are about a foot long. They’re sub-adults, about a year and a half to two years old, so they’ll approximately double in size before they’re full grown. In the wild they’re opportunistic eaters, so they’ll eat everything from small bugs to types of leaves. The Apache Trout are territorial, they like their own space, so they're constantly competing to be in their own space. It looks like they're playing tag behind us but they’re actually trying to figure out what space is theirs and what is their neighbor’s.

We have the responsibility to be a conservation partner with many different organizations. Being a new facility, we’re building those relationships and those bonds. We’re already working with Arizona Game and Fish, we also have a relationship with an African penguin organization in South Africa that we support and we will continue looking for ways locally nationally and internationally to aid in conservation efforts.

SANCCOB

OdySea Aquarium is proud to have partnered with SANCCOB, a registered non-profit organization (NPO 003-134) whose primary objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds – especially endangered species like the African penguin.

The organization works closely with colony managers to identify birds in need of care in the wild and bring them to one of its two centers in South Africa: Cape Town (Western Cape) and Cape St. Francis (Eastern Cape).

In a normal year where no oil spills occur, SANCCOB treats up to 2,500 seabirds, of which approximately 1,500 are African penguins. The remainder include various cormorants species (including the endangered Bank cormorant and Cape cormorant); various species of terns; pelagic birds such as albatrosses, gannets and petrels; oystercatchers, gulls, pelicans and other coastal birds found in the region. On average, 24 different seabird species are rehabilitated every year.

SANCCOB is an internationally recognized leader in oiled wildlife response, rehabilitation and chick-rearing; contributes to research which benefits seabirds; trains people to care for the birds and educates the public to develop behavioral patterns which benefit marine life and the environment.

SANCCOBB is registered with the South African Veterinary Council; a member of PAZAAB, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); is endorsed by the Department of Environmental Affairs, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and American Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and has many working partnerships globally.

AFRICAN BLACK-FOOTED PENGUIN CONSERVATION

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African Black-Footed Penguin Conservation Transcription

These are African black-footed penguins. We have a colony of 20 Birds here at Penguin Point and these guys are the only species of penguin found off the southern tip of South Africa. African penguins are really unique in coloration and you can tell by checking out that the juveniles and are sub adults here. As they mature they develop that more black and white stark coloration. They’ll get an upside-down “U” on their chest and then all kinds of speckles in their feathers, and those speckles are as different and unique as our fingerprints so each one seems like he identified that way as well. One of the most important reasons that OdySea Aquarium has African penguins here with us is because these guys are endangered and it's really important that we pay attention to them and the key component in them being endangered as humans, us and we need to change our behavior to make a difference. You know, these guys are being displaced off the beaches and hunted for their eggs, and even their droppings which is really good fertilizer. Then they're being displaced from their parents and lost. Littering - believe it or not our garbage finds its way to the ocean or impact wildlife in some way. You know, sea turtles are endangered because a big part of their diet is jellyfish, and you know what looks like a jellyfish? A plastic bag. Something as simple as Reducing, reusing, recycling, getting Involved, coming on out your local zoos and Aquariums, and OdySea Aquarium and checking out wildlife and why it's important, what we can all do for each of these species. And overfishing, things like overfishing which is a big thing for our aquarium that we would like to bring attention to. You know that the parents are going out a little bit further to find the fish that is not as readily available and they're separating from the juveniles so this is something that we want to teach our guests and not only allow them to come see these awesome animals and appreciate them but really send home that message of “We need to do our job and take care of them and make sure they're around for generations to come”

Our community needs to be a bit more proactive in getting involved here, you know the things that we can do before it's too late. We're seeing so many of our species here at OdySea Aquarium that we’re housing and bringing you guys are endangered and are in trouble and need our help, so by being a bit proactive with what we can do with reducing and reducing and reusing and recycling just putting something like it as a plastic bag away and bring out the reusable bags, that’s going to make a big difference in, say, a sea turtle’s life. So those are the things we want to bring to light here at OdySea Aquarium. When I was a young girl I grew up in a town that was not a coastal town and I had my first encounter with the marine life and it changed the whole trajectory of my life and my career and I really feel that this Aquarium resonated with me a lot when I was asked to come on board because the folks here in Arizona are just as important as those in coastal communities in having an impact on what we do with our oceans and what we do is our environment. So, that was really an important message for me as well and thrilled to be here in Arizona.

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch®

We are proud partners of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program, which empowers consumers and businesses to make choices for a healthy ocean, helping to support diverse marine ecosystems for the future. Seafood Watch® raises sustainable seafood awareness through its consumer guides, website, app for mobile devices, and partnerships with businesses, culinary leaders and conservation organizations across North America and beyond.

GIVE THE GIFT OF ANIMAL ENRICHMENT

Amazon Wish List

Animals need love too! OdySea Aquarium is home to over 6,000 animals. Check out our wish list and see how you can give toys or supplies to help enrich an animal’s life.

SEE AMAZON Wish List »

Meet our sea turtles

Sea turtles have inhabited Earth for more than 150 million years. But today, they are endangered due to loss of habitat and pollution. At OdySea Aquarium, we recognize these threats to sea turtles and are doing our part to help ensure their survival. Many of OdySea Aquarium’s sea turtles, once unable to thrive in their environments, were rescued and now call OdySea their home.

Many of our sea turtles have been deemed non-releasable to the wild due to their injuries and now call OdySea Aquarium their forever home.

Valor

Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas

Age: 3-4 years old
Weight: 40 lbs
Sex: Male

Valor was found injured off the coast of North Carolina. It’s believed he was struck by a boat, which left him with air trapped underneath his carapace – a condition is commonly referred to as “bubble butt”. This causes him to have buoyancy problems, and Valor is unable to dive or stay underwater as easily as other turtles. His condition makes him unable to be released back into the wild, as he would likely not survive. Thankfully, Valor has found his way to OdySea Aquarium, his forever home, where our Animal Care Team has begun adding custom weights to his shell to allow him to live as normal a life as possible.

Charlie

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Caretta caretta

Age: 20 years old
Weight: 135 lbs
Sex: Female

Charlie is our largest female rescue turtle. She’s easily identified, as she has two circular weights attached to the back of her carapace. Like Greta and Valor, Charlie also has a condition called “bubble butt”, which means she has air trapped inside her shell. Charlie was struck by a boat, which caused trauma to her spinal chord and caused her back flippers to become paralyzed. Thankfully, she was found nursed back to health by a Florida rescue facility. It was here that her weights were attached and she re-learned how to dive and swim like a normal turtle. We believe Charlie is an incredible ambassador for her species, and count ourselves lucky to have her as part of the OdySea Aquarium family.

Erika

Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas

Age: 8-10 years old
Weight: 20 lbs
Sex: Female

Erika was attacked by a predator off the coast of Texas as a new hatchling. The attack left her without a front flipper, and with the tips of her back flippers partially missing. Because of her injuries Erika would not thrive in the wild, and was deemed non-releasable by the U.S. government. Despite all she’s been through, Erika has shown tremendous strength and willingness to adapt. Since joining us here at OdySea Aquarium she’s delighted everyone who’s met her, and has made fast friends with her exhibit mates.

Greta

Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas

Age: 8-10 years old
Weight: 70 lbs
Sex: Female

Greta was found stranded off the coast of Florida. She was lethargic and thin, with an injury that caused air to become trapped in her carapace. Greta’s injury is commonly known as “bubble butt”, and means that the air trapped in her shell gives her buoyancy issues. She has to work twice as hard as normal sea turtles if she wants to dive underwater. Left in the wild, Greta would not survive. Thankfully, she has found her forever home here at OdySea Aquarium where we can provide round-the-clock care and attention to her special needs.

OdySea Aquarium In The Community

Making a difference in the desert

2017 Reef Alliance Award Winner

Reef Alliance is a program sponsored by Sub Sea Systems; the program focuses on conservation, education and proactive efforts within the community. Of the 50+ Sea TREKoperators and Reef Alliance members worldwide, Sub Sea Systems recognizes OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, Arizona as the recipient of the 2017 Reef Alliance Award. Throughout the past year, OdySea has organized multiple cleanup events, educational presentations at local schools, a conservation expo, commissioned art sculptures out of reclaimed products, and even sourced unique, sustainable products for its onsite gift shop. Not to mention, the thousands of annual aquarium visitors and Sea TREK participants who are educated about marine life and conservation through the entertaining exhibits and hands-on, interactive encounters.

Reef Alliance is an avid supporter of Ocean Conservancy and its International Coastal Cleanup event. Members are encouraged to participate in at least one cleanup event each year. The OdySea team went above and beyond, hosting and participating in multiple cleanup events throughout the year, such as the Lake Pleasant Cleanup, Salt River Cleanup and a local Adopt-A-Road cleanup project. Recovered trash, debris and recyclables were properly disposed of, helping to keep it out of our waterways and oceans!

OdySea contributed to a number of educational presentations and programs involving local grade schools and universities. Team members participated in a STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) Pro Live! broadcast, where OdySea professionals answered live questions from students. Conservation presentations were given at the University of Arizona and Paradise Valley High School, and OdySea staff participated in Career Day at Morris K Udall Middle School.

More recently, OdySea hosted its first annual Conservation Expo, featuring local rescue organizations and sustainability groups. The free expo offered a fun day of learning and exploring for attendees. OdySea also debuted an exceptionally unique art sculpture designed by Benjamin and Casey Brose. The 15-foot hammerhead shark was created out of recycled plastic bottles. More than 20 volunteers helped create the impressive sculpture– from removing labels, rinsing and drying 2,500 plastic water bottles, to welding a frame and covering it with up-cycled chicken wire, to cutting, drilling and attaching each bottle in the shape of the hydrodynamic shark body. The sculpture was then painted shimmery silver, giving it a beautiful shine under the light as if it were swimming under the surface of the ocean. The goal of the sculpture is to spread awareness and reduce the amount of plastic that goes into our oceans. The “Debris in the Desert” team will continue to create more sculptures to promote the cause.

OdySea certainly practices what they preach and implements conservation efforts throughout their facility. As an example, the OdySea gift shop prides itself on sustainably sourced retail items, such as toys made from recycled milk jugs, bags made from recycled fish nets, and art pieces made from recycled materials.

Sub Sea Systems is proud to have OdySea as a Reef Alliance member and ambassador of conservation. Congratulations and thank you to the OdySea team for their hard work and extensive efforts.

Black Friday Salt River Clean Up

On November 24th, 2017, OdySea Aquarium employees helped clean up The Salt River. From the waterways to the surrounding areas our team picked up trash and recyclables. Beautifying the river and helping the wildlife.

MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS & REC SHORELINE CLEAN-UP AT LAKE PLEASANT

On September 30th, 2017, OdySea Aquarium employees joined Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department in cleaning up Lake Pleasant. From the top of the hills to the bottom of the lake, this team made sure no trash got left behind.

SRPMIC Earth Day 2017

On April 22^nd, 2017, OdySea Aquarium employees joined the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s 13^th Annual Earth Day Celebration “Water is our Way of Life.” OdySea Aquarium team members participated in the Wetlands Project that involved sign installation, planting, rock painting, trail maintenance, and shelter construction.

OdySea Aquarium was thrilled for this opportunity to partner with SRPMIC to bring awareness to natural resources, create areas where people can appreciate the sanctuary of nature, and work together to protect our precious Earth for future generations to enjoy.

March for Science

OdySea Aquarium, along with many institutions in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, participated in the nationwide March for Science on Earth Day. In a time when "belief" in science seems to be waning, AZA-accredited facilities and their supporters are educating millions of visitors on a variety of issues including climate change, the growing problem of plastics pollution, and why conservation of species and habitats is crucial to all of our futures. We had an amazing time raising our voices in solidarity with scientists and science enthusiasts across the nation and look forward to next year's event.

World Turtle Day with the Phoenix Zoo

Every year hundreds of unwanted pet turtles are released into the “moat” in front of The Phoenix Zoo. OdySea Aquarium was invited to work with the Phoenix Zoo and the Arizona Game & Fish Department to help reduce the turtles’ chances of traveling to nearby canals and the Salt River where they could spread disease, become injured, or prey on native turtles and other native wildlife. Our team members assisted in the measuring, weighing, and identifying of turtles found in the moat. The Turtle & Tortoise Preservation Group graciously took in all female non-native turtles, while male non-native turtles were returned to the pond.

We’d like to thank the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Phoenix Herpetological Society for the opportunity to help with this important annual event!

Save the Sharks

Millions sharks are killed each year, primarily for their fins which are used to make shark fin soup. These killings are depleting our oceans of these majestic animals and some species may be extinct in as little as the next decade. At OdySea Aquarium, we are educating guests about these harsh realities so that we can all be more informed and take steps to make a difference in the world of shark conservation and research.

Watch this video to learn about how shark finning is decreasing the shark population in our oceans.

Shark finning video transcript

Is a soup destroying our oceans? Each year an estimated 100 million sharks are killed for their fins. Shark finning is a brutal practice that involves shearing the fin off the shark. Without fins sharks can’t swim and sink to the ocean floor, becoming food for other fish. The biggest source of demand for these fins – the market for shark fin soup. The soup is considered a delicacy in some cultures and costs up to $200 per bowl. The dish is especially a status symbol in Chinese cuisine dating back to the 14^th century. It’s also appeared on Malaysian, Indonesian, Spanish, and other countries menus and it’s long been thought to have medicinal benefits - but doesn’t actually. Nutritionally it’s just cartilage that’s exceedingly high in toxic mercury.

Even though the soup’s popularity is shrinking under pressure from protesters and shifts in thinking, the demand for the fins is still high. One pound of dried shark fin can sell for $300 of more, and it’s a multi-billion dollar industry, which means fishing crews are working overtime to harvest the shark fins and they’ll take any shark regardless of age or size. Even though it violates the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization’s code of conduct for responsible fisheries. Finning is decimating shark populations around the world causing a 60-90% decrease over the last 15 years. And if finning doesn’t stop, experts estimate most shark species will disappear within 10 years. It’s a wasteful, cruel practice that is devastating our oceans.

Want To Get Involved?

Together we can all make a difference. We encourage you to learn more about these inspiring organizations and online resources:

IUCN
Shark Specialist Group

AZA
SAFE

American
Elasmobranch Society

Sharks 4
Kids

National Shark Research Consortium/Florida Program for Shark Research

Bimini
Shark Lab