Health Care
We work to maintain our animal's health with treatments and environments that increase the likelihood of healthy individuals as well as the rapid diagnosis of treatment of injury or disease.
Through careful maintenance and design of their habitats, were supply nutrition, food, and safe environments that help keep an animal in good health. Exhibits are carefully observed for any feature – a sharp corner, loose board, or other items – which might threaten the animal’s safety.
The animals are also regularly evaluated for their health. Staff regular monitor animals, taking into account their body condition, behavior, and other factors. Proactive wellness exams and vaccination programs also help our animals stay in better health. Through careful examination of the animal, which can include testing of samples, we strive to constantly monitor animals; health and respond quickly when their health is not ideal. When an injury or abnormal behavior is observed, staff see that the animal is given prompt medical attention to catch and treat any issues before they develop.
The animal’s mental health is as much of a priority as their physical well-being. Environmental enrichment helps an animal stay mentally and physically active and encourage natural behaviors. Animals are also conditioned by staff to be handled for medical examinations or other health care purposes. In many cases, the animal is even given the choice to willfully participate in an examination!
We are personally and ethically driven to give our animals the best possible health care, but health care also results more oportunities in education and conservation. Healthy animals overall are more active and likely to exhibit natural behaviors and more successful at reproducing, so we can better educate our guests about our collection and even occasionally welcome new animals to our Aquarium family!