Around the Clock Animal Care and Monitoring at the Texas State Aquarium
February 1, 2022
Day and night, if an animal, exhibit, or support system needs attention, a dedicated animal care team is always on-site for maintenance and corrective action if needed.
The Texas State Aquarium (TSA) provides animal care around the clock for the 4,000 animals in its care. Day and night, if an animal, exhibit, or support system needs attention, a dedicated animal care team is always on-site for maintenance and corrective action if needed.
No matter the time of day, Aquarium staff continuously provides quality life support for all the animals that call the Aquarium their home. After the Aquarium closes its’ doors for the day, and the animal care day shift ends, another animal care team steps in, our night monitors. From sunset to sunrise, these monitors keep an eye out from the smallest sea horse all the way up to the largest dolphin.
“The animal care monitors’ sole job is to ensure that our animals are safe and in suitable environments. They’re an incredible, dedicated force of individuals, and no matter the time of day, they stay alert in case help is needed,” says Texas State Aquarium President & CEO Jesse Gilbert.
Most of their night is spent in the dark. When the midnight shift arrives, the lights are off, so that the animals can continue to have regular day and night routines. Every hour, these monitors complete a walk-through of the facility to make sure the life support systems are functioning properly and that the animals are doing well.