Sustainability and Conservation

Giving animals opportunities for reproduction and other species-specific behavior plays a major role in our animal wellness and sustainability and conservation goals,

A common misunderstanding about zoos and aquariums is that all of the animals on exhibit are collected from the natural habitat. In truth, a vast majority of the animals at the Texas State Aquarium (and other accredited zoos and aquariums) were either born at the Aquarium or another animal care facility or were rescued from injuries that left them unable to survive in their natural habitat.

An animals’ drive to breed is perhaps its strongest instinct, which is just one reason why our animal wellness plan takes an animal’s reproduction into consideration. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program, we manage the population of select species within the Aquarium to enhance the conservation of these species in the wild. Animal wellness plays a major role in successful SSP Programs since animals with ideal habitats, diets, enrichment, and other resources are typically more successful at reproducing.

Through SSP, animals are introduced to potential mates and if they choose, may have the opportunity to breed and produce offspring. This allows them to exhibit species-specific behavior that not only contributes to their overall wellness but to conservation and education as well. SSP breeding and reproduction programs that help maintain a genetically-diverse collection of species through the nation’s zoos and aquariums and for introduction into their natural habitats. Animals with the ability to display breeding behaviors are also more representative of their wild counterparts, giving guests an educational look at their natural behaviors and inspiring others to save these species.

Sustainability and Conservation in Action

Lined and dwarf seahorse are among the most popular animals at the Aquarium, adored by guests for their unique look and behavior. Sadly, most seahorse species are threatened in the natural habitat. The lined seahorse is listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN due to habitat loss and being collected from the wild at an unsustainable rate.

In pursuit of its animal wellness and conservation goals, seahorses at the Texas State Aquarium are all sustainably reproduced here at the Aquarium. While on exhibit the seahorses intermingle and have the opportunity to reproduce. Animal Care staff keep a close eye on male seahorse – which carry the young – looking for the swollen stomachs that indicate they are pregnant. Periodically, the seahorses hatch hundreds of minuscule baby seahorses while on exhibit. From there, aquarists carefully collect these seahorses and transfer them to a behind-the-scenes area, where they’re allowed to safely grow. When large enough, they’re reintroduced and put back on exhibit to have their own opportunity to breed.

This aquaculture practice helps us share the seahorse with our guests can teach how we can help conserve seahorse – all while maintaining generations of healthy and sustainable seahorses!