Conservation at the Texas State Aquarium

Part of our mission at the Texas State Aquarium is to support wildlife conservation. When you visit the Aquarium, you don't just make memories, you help us make a difference. Read on to see how we make conservation a priority at the Aquarium.

Injured animal?

Call (361) 881 – 1210

We are open to receiving or rescuing injured sea turtles and marine mammals every day from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Due to avian influenza and out of an abundance of caution, the Rescue Center will not be accepting avian patients from the public. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in Texas. Avian influenza is a virus carried by wild birds, particularly waterfowl (ducks and shorebirds). HPAI is highly contagious and spreads through direct, bird-to-bird contact and via contaminated surfaces and materials. Currently, the virus is not zoonotic and according to the Center for Disease Control, HPAI poses a lower risk to humans. 

If you have found an injured bird in the Coastal Bend, please contact the Texas Sealife Center at (361) 589-4023 or visit their website.

If you have found an injured animal, please do not approach or attempt to capture the animal. Even when injured, wildlife can still be dangerous and cause injuries. If you have found an injured animal outside of the species we are able to accept, please visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website to find a rehabilitation facility near you.

Wildlife Rescue Program

Each year, thousands of protected, threatened, or endangered species along the Texas coast become ill or injured. Some have been impaired by predators, diseases, or other natural causes. Most are brought to our Wildlife Rescue Center with problems caused directly or indirectly by humans. This includes entanglement in fishing line, nets, or lures, and even illegal harassment and shootings. The Aquarium accepts shorebirds, raptors (birds of prey), and marine mammals. The Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Center is federally permitted and operates under rigorous standards.

When you purchase a ticket to the Aquarium, you don’t just make memories, you help us make a difference.

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TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM CONSERVATION SERIES

At the Texas State Aquarium, part of our mission is supporting wildlife conservation and we are doing that through our Wildlife Rescue program and numerous partnerships. The Aquarium is currently participating and supporting conservation research that improves wildlife populations of coral, sharks, ocelots, and sea turtles.

  • Coral


    The Texas State Aquarium has collaborated with Dr. Keisha Bahr at Texas A&M- Corpus Christi to research how changes in the chemistry of our ocean impact coral reefs.

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  • OCELOTS


    The Texas State Aquarium proudly welcomed Milla, an ocelot who arrived as part of the Ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP).

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  • SHARKS


    As a big supporter of shark conservation, the Texas State Aquarium is heavily involved in partnering with other organizations to conduct shark research.

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  • SEA TURTLES


    Living on the Gulf Coast means living next to sea turtles, and the Texas State Aquarium is determined to help injured and cold-stunned sea turtles in the Corpus Christi Bay.

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Conservation Partnerships

In pursuit of its mission to support wildlife conservation, the Texas State Aquarium partners with a variety of like-minded organizations.

  • SECORE


    Through our partnership with SECORE International, we're helping to give coral reefs a future by studying and growing them in our Aquatic Nursery and helping facilitate their reintroduction back into the ocean.

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  • SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction)


    As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' SAFE program, the Aquarium joins forces with other scientists and experts to identify threats, develop action plans, raise new resources and engage the public to save species threatened with extinction.

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  • SSP (Species Survival Plan)


    The Aquarium manages several Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Programs (overseen by AZA) to oversee the population management of select species. These programs, unique to each species in our collection, enhance the conservation of their species in the wild through research, husbandry, management, and educational initiatives. SSP's include the Texas Ocelot, American Flamingo, North American River Otter, Spotted Eagle Ray, Northern seahorse, and many more.

Education and Awareness

In pursuit of its mission to inspire appreciation for our seas, the Texas State Aquarium prioritizes educating guests and students.

  • Aquavision Virtual Classroom


    Through its Flint Hills Resources Center for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education, the Texas State Aquarium brings together best practices and innovation from the fields of education, research, and industry to advance education and learning, in and out of the classroom, in south Texas and beyond.

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  • Onsite Programs


    Our homeschool program, mini-camps, and overnight programs offer students in Kindergarten through 8th grade the opportunity to explore science topics through hands-on activities, observation, and interactions with live animals.

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  • Beach Cleanups


    As a local host of the Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Program, we do our part to remove waste and other debris from the coastlines with the help of our community, making our beaches safer and more enjoyable for people and wildlife alike!

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