Together, we're keeping texas wild

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we rely on the generosity of our guests and donors to pursue our mission.

The Port Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue at the Texas State Aquarium is the largest emergency response and rescue facility in Texas and the leading coastal wildlife rescue program in the U.S. But we don’t work alone. Your support allows us to save dolphins, river otters and thousands of endangered sea turtles.

As cold-blooded animals, sea turtles rely on environmental warmth to regulate their body temperature. Without it, they become vulnerable to serious health issues, including pneumonia and injuries.

In response to two severe cold fronts that swept through South Texas in January 2025, the Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue at the Texas State Aquarium launched extensive rescue operations, saving over 700 cold-stunned sea turtles, between January 10 and February 1. Our veterinary and animal care teams work tirelessly to warm them up, rehabilitate them, and prepare them for release back into their natural habitat to as many as we can. Without YOUR support, we would not be able to accomplish these life-saving acts.

Generosity from our supporters continues to advance our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured Texas wildlife in need. 

Every Gift Counts

Whether it’s a one-time gift or a recurring donation, your support has a lasting impact. Choose how you want to contribute to our cause:


How Your Contribution Makes a Difference

Together, we can keep Texas wild, one animal at a time.

  • Arthur's Journey: From Rescue to Family at Texas State Aquarium

    🦦 In 2020, Arthur was just a 5-6 week old otter pup when fate brought him to us. Found orphaned on the side of a road in Austin, Texas, he was battling the odds – underweight and dehydrated. But thanks to the dedication of our Texas State Aquarium veterinary team and wildlife rescue staff, Arthur didn't just survive; he thrived.

    His journey, though remarkable, was not one he could make alone. Being too young to return to his natural habitat, Arthur was deemed non-releasable and found a new home with us. Today, he's a beloved, permanent member of our Aquarium family, sharing playful days with his otter friends, Fisher and Merlin.

    Your donations empower us to rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals back into their habitats.

  • A Tale of Hope and Resilience: The Journey of Ranger, the Rehabilitated Dolphin

    🐬 We invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable story of Ranger, a true testament to the power of your support.

    Ranger, a male bottlenose dolphin calf originally named Goose, was rescued in June 2021 after being found stranded in the waters around Goose Island State Park in Texas, near his deceased mother. Suffering from an underlying respiratory infection and dehydration, he was transported to the Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue Center. Here, our dedicated veterinary and rescue staff provided 24/7 care for nine months.

    His journey, though remarkable, was not one he could make alone. Being too young to return to his natural habitat, Ranger was deemed non-releasable and found his forever home at the Dolphin Research Center in Key West, FL. There, he joined a pod of 25 dolphins.

    This story highlights how our Wildlife Rescue efforts make a difference and demonstrates how skills learned at the Aquarium can be applied to rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals.

    We invite you to become a wildlife advocate today. Your contribution can spark a wave of generosity and inspire others to join in.

  • A Look Back at an Unprecedented Sea Turtle Cold Stunning Event: Over 1,000 Rescued and Released

    ❄️ In 2021, Winter Storm Uri delivered a freezing blow to South Texas, significantly impacting our local wildlife. In a monumental sea turtle cold stunning event, the Texas State Aquarium's Wildlife Rescue Center, in collaboration with Marine Stranding Network partners, rescued over 1,000 cold-stunned sea turtles from February 13, 2021 to February 23, 2021.

    Over the prior couple of years, many green sea turtles had lingered in the shallow bay systems of Laguna Madre due to mild winters. As a result, they didn't receive the usual thermal cues to move to deeper waters. When temperatures suddenly plummeted, these cold-blooded creatures became lethargic and unable to swim due to the cold. Many suffered from conditions such as pneumonia and injuries from being washed against rocks.

    The Aquarium's dedicated staff, tirelessly worked to rehabilitate these green sea turtles. An intake process assessed the turtles' injuries, vital signs, weight, and other details to create individualized treatment plans. Volunteers also played a vital role in walking surveys, turtle transport, and documentation.

    Release operations took place, with the first round of 146 sea turtles released with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard and Texas Game Wardens. The remainder, over 800 sea turtles, were released 20 miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico during one of the largest sea turtle release operations ever recorded.

    Thanks to generous hearts through donations, we can make an impact on Texas wildlife. Leave your mark on wildlife rescue today! Your support matters.

    For more rescue stories

Donor Information Privacy Policy

The Texas State Aquarium is committed to protecting our donors’ privacy and will not sell, rent, share or trade our donors’ names or private information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations.

This policy applies to all information received by the Texas State Aquarium, both online and offline, on the Texas State Aquarium website, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.

The Texas State Aquarium offers opportunities for donors to be recognized publicly in association with their gift level; however, all donors are given the opportunity to remain anonymous and to decline public and/or private recognition.

To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.

Donors have the right to review information we have collected about them. To review such information, please contact us in writing at Chief Government Affairs and Marketing, Texas State Aquarium, 2710 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78402.