Vancouver Aquarium 1441712 226056040 2008-07-16T17:06:05Z 24.80.76.138 /* Animals at the Aquarium */ {{Infobox zoo |zoo_name=Vancouver Aquarium |date_opened=[[June 15]], [[1956]] <ref name="vanaqua/facts">[http://www.vanaqua.org/pressroom/FastFacts.html Vancouver Aquarium - Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |logo=Newlogocolour.gif |logo_width=200px |location=[[Vancouver, British Columbia|Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], [[Canada|CAN]] |area=2.1&nbsp;[[acre]]s (9,000&nbsp;[[square meter|m²]]) <ref name="vanaqua/facts">[http://www.vanaqua.org/pressroom/FastFacts.html Vancouver Aquarium - Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |members=[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]], [[Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums|CAZA]], [[Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums|AMMPA]] |website=http://www.vanaqua.org/ }} The '''Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre''' is a public [[aquarium]] located in [[Stanley Park]] in [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. In addition to being a major tourist attraction for [[Vancouver]], the [[aquariums | aquarium]] is a centre for marine research, conservation and marine animal rehabilitation. The aquarium is recognized for its displays and interpretations. The Vancouver Aquarium claims to be the first facility to incorporate professional naturalists into the galleries to interpret animal behaviours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanaqua.org/ask_us/aquariumhistory.html |title=History of the Aquarium |accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher=Vancouver Aquarium |quote=...was the first facility to incorporate professional naturalists/interpretive specialists into galleries to explain animal behaviors.}}</ref> However, naturalists James S. Bowerbank, Dr. E Lankester, Mr D. Mitchell and Philip Henry Gosse, the creator of the word aquarium,<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-239549/Philip-Henry-Gosse Philip Henry Gosse (British naturalist)]</ref> regularly held "open house" events at the world's first public aquarium at London Zoo Fish House at Regent's Park in the 19th century.<ref>[http://www.parlouraquariums.org.uk/Papers/b%20AQUARIUM%20HISTORY/History%20Papers/First%20Public%20Aquarium.htm The First Public Marine Aquarium]</ref> Aquarium research projects extend world-wide, and include [[marine mammal]] rescue and rehabilitation. The aquarium is run by a self-supporting non-profit organization. The operation of the aquarium receives no government funding. The property is owned by the City of Vancouver and rented to the Aquarium for $40,000 a year since 1991 (prior to which $1 per year). ==Aquarium history== [[Image:fish aquarium Van.JPG|left|thumb|250px|[[Orca]] statue, ''Chief of the Undersea World'', in front of the aquarium, designed by [[Bill Reid]].]] The Vancouver Public Aquarium Association was formed in 1950 by [[University of British Columbia|UBC]] fisheries and oceanography professors Murray Newman, Carl Lietze and Wilbert Clemens. It opened on [[June 15]], [[1956]] after receiving the help of timber baron [[H.R. MacMillan]], alderman and businessman George Cunningham and $100,000 from each of the three levels of government. Officially Canada's first public Aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium has become the largest in Canada and one of the five largest in North America. The Aquarium has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured marine mammals for more than forty years.{{fact|date=February 2008}} The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre has treated more than 2,000 seals, sea lions, elephant seals, otters, dolphins, porpoises, and whales.{{fact|date=February 2008}} The program also helped rescue [[Springer (orca)|Springer]], an orphaned [[killer whale]] successfully released and reunited with her family pod. Among other high profile rescues include the successful returning of a beached gray whale back to the water in 2005 and the rescue of Schoona, a lost green sea turtle near Prince Rupert, BC. [[Image:Beluga and calf.JPG|right|thumb|250px|[[Beluga]] and calf at the Vancouver Aquarium. The calf has since died.]] In 1975, the Vancouver Aquarium was the first aquarium accredited by the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (AZA). The Aquarium is also accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and in 1987 was designated Canada's Pacific National Aquarium by the Canadian Federal Government. On [[July 23]], [[1995]], a beluga whale named Qila was born. She was the first beluga to be both conceived and born in a Canadian aquarium. A second calf, Tuvaq, was born on [[July 30]], [[2002]], but died unexpectedly with no previous sign of illness on [[July 17]], [[2005]]. In 1996, the Vancouver Aquarium vowed to never again capture cetaceans from the wild, and only obtain cetaceans from other facilities if they too were captured before 1996 (unless a rescue animal). On [[June 15]], [[2006]] Canada Post issued a 51 cent domestic rate stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aquarium. For many years, the primary attraction for visitors was the [[orca]] or killer whale show. [http://www.animalit.ca/2007/06/vancouver-aquarium-horror-story.html] Indeed, the aquarium was responsible for the first orca ever held alive in captivity, Moby Doll. Since then, it was home to Skana, Hyak II, Finna, Bjossa, and three of Bjossa's calves, all of whom have since died, the last survivor being Bjossa, who was later moved to SeaWorld San Diego, and died in 2001. When Finna died and Bjossa was left without other orca companions, the Aquarium attempted to acquire one or more female orcas from other marine parks. However, no suitable companions were found, and Bjossa was moved to Sea World, San Diego, where she later died. The Aquarium has since moved to emphasize the educational aspects of the displays rather than the public spectacle of the shows. They have also tried to highlight the research and rehabilitation efforts of the staff. The aquarium has played a significant role in the ground-breaking wild killer whale research in BC. John Ford, a respected researcher who focuses on orca vocalizations, worked there for many years and they still fund a lot of the study. The Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program, which funds research, is also run out of the aquarium. [[Image:Vancouver aquarium dolphin.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Spinnaker does a high-jump during dolphin show.]] After considerable public debate and despite vocal opposition from animal rights groups, the Vancouver Park Board voted in favour of a proposal to expand the Aquarium at a cost of $80 million. A public consultation process showed 89% of local residents were in favour of the expansion. The proposal will increase the size of the Aquarium by 1.5 acres and extend its lease by 20 years. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2007.<ref>{{cite news | last =Thomas| first =Sandra| title =Show us a bit more money De Genova tells aquarium| publisher =Vancouver Courier| date =29 November 2006| url =http://www.vancourier.com/issues06/115106/news/115106nn3.html| accessdate = 2006-12-28}}</ref> ==Aquarium facility== The aquarium covers approximately 9000 m² (100,000 ft²) and has a total 9.5 million litres (2.5 million gallons) of water in 166 aquatic displays. There are a number of different galleries: * ''Pacific Canada Pavilion'' is the central indoor tank, 260,000L. Highlighting the marine life from the [[Strait of Georgia]]. * ''Arctic Canada'' includes the [[Beluga]] whales tank. * ''The Wild Coast'' is an outdoor habitat that includes four [[Pacific White-sided Dolphin]]s, [[harbour seal]]s, [[Steller's Sea Lion]]s, and [[sea otter]]s. * ''Treasures of the BC Coast'' is a series of separate exhibits that attempt to simulate the various environments with sea life found on the BC coast. * ''Tropic Zone'' has a large display of tropical fish, including [[shark]]s. * ''Amazon Rainforest'' a number of large fresh water fish, [[snake]]s, [[caiman]]s, a [[sloth]] and other creatures from the [[Amazon rainforest|Amazon]]. * ''Discovery Education Centre'' contains multiple classrooms for school groups, including a theatre and wet lab. * ''Canaccord Exploration Gallery'' is designed to engage visitors to learn about marine life through interactive displays. * ''Frogs Forever? Gallery'' is an exhibit focused on the plight of the world's frog population which endeavors to show how people can help protect frogs. ==Animals at the Aquarium== [[Image:Sea otters holding hands.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium]] Vanaqua is currently home to around 300 species of fish, almost 30,000 invertebrates, and 56 species of amphibians and reptiles. They also have around 60 mammals and birds. Currently, the Aquarium houses 4 [[Pacific White-Sided Dolphin]]s: * ''Spinnaker'' is a 19 year old dolphin, and the only male dolphin at the Vancouver Aquarium. He was rescued off the shores of Japan after becoming entangled in a fishing net, and was deemed to be unreleasable due to the extent of the injuries. He is identifiable through the fact that he has the most white on the dorsal fin. * ''Hana'' is a 12 year old female dolphin at the Aquarium. She suffered a miscarriage on [[June 8]], [[2006]] and again on [[May 22]], [[2007]]. She came to the Aquarium with Helen from the [[Enoshima Aquarium]] in [[Japan]] in [[2005]] after being rescued after becoming entangled in a fishing net. She is identified through the fact that her dorsal fin is the most triangular of all the dolphins at the Aquarium. * ''Helen'' is a 19 year old female dolphin at the Aquarium. She came to the Aquarium with Hana from the [[Enoshima Aquarium]] in [[Japan]] in [[2005]] after being rescued after becoming entangled in a fishing net. She is distinguishable by the fact that her pectoral flippers are partially amputated, and that her dorsal fin is the most hook shaped of the four. * ''Laverne'' is a 30 year old female dolphin at the Aquarium. She is on loan from [[SeaWorld]], [[San Antonio]] in [[Texas]] in exchange for Allua, a female beluga who is on breeding loan since 2005. She is identifiable through the fact that her dorsal fin is the largest of all the dolphins at the Aquarium. The Aquarium also houses 5 [[Beluga]] whales: * ''Kavna'' is the oldest beluga whale at the Aquarium; she is estimated to be around 40 years of age. She is distinguishable from the other belugas due to the fact that she is the most white of all the belugas at the Aquarium. * ''Imaq'' is the only male beluga whale and is around 21 years of age. He is distinguishable by the fact that he is the largest beluga at the Aquarium. * ''Aurora'' is a female beluga and is around 21 years of age. * ''Qila'' is a female beluga whale and is around 13 years old. She was born at the Aquarium to mother ''Aurora'' and father ''Nanuq'' on July 23, 1995. She is the first beluga to be conceived and born in a Canadian aquarium, and is also the first to be first beluga to be conceived and born in a Canadian aquarium to give birth to a calf. * On June 10th, 2008, Qila delivered a baby, who is a female, fathered by Imaq. While healthy at birth, the calf battled an infection less than two weeks after birth. <ref>http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gd0qob5NMnnCKgY3r8-S2jJaqZeg</ref> Note that at this current time, ''Imaq'' and ''Kavna'' are being kept in a research pool which is unaccessible to the public to give ''Qila'' and the baby some space. Additionally, ''Aurora'' is being kept in a side medical care pool to allow for the calf and ''Qila'' to bond. On breeding loan to SeaWorld are the following: * ''Nanuq'' is a male beluga who is around 24 years old. ''Nanuq'' is ''Qila'''s father and is on breeding loan to Sea World since July of 1997. * ''Allua'' is a female beluga is around 24 years of age. She was moved to Sea World San Diego on a breeding loan in 2005. The Aquarium also houses 4 [[Sea Otter]]s: * ''Nyac'' is a 19 year old female sea otter and is one of the last captive survivors of the [[1989]] [[Exxon Valdez oil spill]]. * ''Milo'' is a 8 year old male sea otter and is on loan from the [[Lisbon Oceanarium]]. * ''Tanu'' is a 3 year old female sea otter who was abandoned as a pup, was rescued by the Alaska Sea Life Centre and later moved to the Aquarium.<ref>[http://www.oceancurrents.ca/tanu.htm Ocean Currents - The Marine Mammals of the Vancouver Aquarium]</ref> * ''Elfin'' is a 6 year old male sea otter who was abandoned as a pup, was rescued by the Alaska Sea Life Centre and later moved to the Aquarium.<ref>[http://www.oceancurrents.ca/elfin.htm Ocean Currents - The Marine Mammals of the Vancouver Aquarium]</ref> The Aquarium also houses 8 [[stellar sea lion]]s. * ''Eden'' is a 6 year old female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Tasu'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Yasha'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Willo'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Ashby'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Mara'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Rogue'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. * ''Izzy'' is a female sea lion at the Aquarium. Note that all of the female sea lions do not actually belong to the Vancouver Aquarium, but instead belong to the [[University of British Columbia]] as they are part of a research program aimed at studying causes into the collapse of the stellar sea lion population in Alaska. At a off-site research facility, an additional 3 stellar sea lions are kept as part of a open-water research program. They are ''Hazy'', ''Sitka'', and ''Boni''. The Aquarium also houses 3 [[harbour seal]]s. While the Aquarium does rescue and release many seals, some are deemed to be unreleasable: * ''Apollo'' is a male harbour seal that came to the Aquarium as a rehabilitation animal. * ''DaVinci'' is a male harbour seal that came to the Aquarium as a rehabilitation animal. * ''Hermes'' is a male harbour seal that came to the Aquarium as a rehabilitation animal. On [[July 1]] [[2008]], ''Tag'', the 15 year old male sea lion passed away due to oral cancer, for which he has had laser surgery and chemotherapy for.<ref>[http://www.vanaqua.org/pressroom/BelovedStellersealionTagpasses.html BELOVED STELLER SEA LION, TAG, SUCCOMBS TO CANCER]</ref> Tag was a 15 year old male sea lion who arrived at the Aquarium as a 2 week old pup.<ref>[http://www.vanaqua.org/pressroom/Tagdental.html AQUARIUM SEA LION RECEIVES DENTAL LASER TREATMENT AND CHEMOTHERAPY]</ref> ==In popular culture== The Vancouver Aquarium was featured frequently in the 1980's Canadian series, [[Danger Bay]], which followed the day to day exploits of the Roberts family, led by Grant "Doc" Roberts, a marine veterinarian and his two children, Nicole and Jonah. A YouTube video featuring two [[sea otters]] "holding hands" was recorded at the Vancouver Aquarium. The two sea otters are Nyac and Milo. The video has been viewed over 10.5 million times on YouTube. As a result, the Vancouver Aquarium created a live Sea Otter Cam on their website. The YouTube video was originally recorded in [[2002]] by Cynthia Holmes<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno&NR=1 YouTube - Otters holding hands<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The Vancouver Aquarium was also featured in the movie [[Good Luck Chuck]], where Cam works. ==References== {{reflist}} ===Bibliography=== <div class="references-small"> *{{cite book |last=Newman|first=Murray A |coauthors=Nightingale, John |year=2005 |title=People, Fish and Whales: The Vancouver Aquarium Story |location=Madeira Park, BC |publisher=Harbour Publishing |isbn=1550173820}} This is a history of the aquarium as told by the founding and current presidents of the aquarium. </div> ==External links== * [http://www.vanaqua.org/ Vancouver Aquarium Official Site] * [http://www.youtube.com/user/VancouverAquarium Vancouver Aquarium Channel on YouTube] <!-- note these videos are posted by the aquarium; they are not copyright violations --> {{Zoos}} {{coor title d|49.300586|N|123.131053|W}} [[Category:Stanley Park]] [[Category:Visitor attractions in British Columbia]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Vancouver]] [[Category:Aquaria in Canada]] [[Category:Tourism in Vancouver]] [[Category:Wildlife rehabilitation]] [[de:Vancouver Aquarium]] [[fr:Aquarium de Vancouver]] {{Vancouver landmarks}}