For this Thanksgiving week, we’re highlighting some of the amazing institutions that are making our world a better place and sharing why we’re thankful for them.
The world-famous Georgia Aquarium has brought the ocean to Atlanta, Georgia and is working to educate millions of people per year about how they can help conserve and preserve our oceans and marine life.
Here are 10 reasons why you should be grateful for the Georgia Aquarium:
10. Nandi, the rescued Manta Ray – Nandi was found caught in a protective shark net in South Africa. Rescuers rushed her to uShaka Marine World for rehabilitation. She quickly outgrew her home at uShaka and was given a forever home at the Georgia Aquarium. With a wingspan of over 12 feet, the beloved Nandi is easy to spot by guests.
9. Manta Ray research – The Georgia Aquarium is working to tag, track and study mantas as they move along the Atlantic Coast. They are using the research to help provide lawmakers and policymakers with data on how to best protect this incredible species. They have also launched a Manta Matcher app that helps amateur photographers identify mantas in Mexico.
8. Right Whale conservation – With only 300 – 400 right whales left in the world, there is incredible urgency to preserve this species. The Georgia Aquarium has partnered with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to understand their breeding practices along the Southern Atlantic coast and how they can be protected during their lifetime.
7. A living reef – The Mega-Reef exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium is a living reef where researchers are working with scientists at Steinhart Aquarium in California to build a large living Indo-Pacific reef system. When coral reefs are increasingly threatened around the world, this research is vital to their survival.
6. Giving a forever home to rescued sea lions – Throughout the year, an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) occurred along the California coast that left over 3,000 sea lions starving and dying. Organizations, like the Georgia Aquarium, responded to help rescue, rehabilitate and return as many sea lions as possible. Some of the sea lions were determined by the federal government to be not suited for release. The Georgia Aquarium has opened its doors to be a forever home for some of these sea lions.
5. Seafood Savvy – The Georgia Aquarium wants guests to walk away from their visit empowered to protect and preserve our oceans. One way people can help protect our oceans is by eating sustainable seafood. With a partnership with Seafood Watch and Fish Choice, the Georgia Aquarium produces Seafood Savvy pocket cards that educate people on how to make sustainable choices at home and when dining out.
4. Conservation Field Station – Located on the northern coast of Florida, Georgia Aquarium-owned Marineland serves as the Conservation Field Station for the Aquarium. Marineland is dedicated to the rescue and recovery of large marine life along the coast of Florida. The staff at the Conservation Field Station works with NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Hubbs-SeaWorld and other organizations to study baleen whales, smaller toothed whales, manatees and sea turtles. The station is doing critical research into the declining bottlenose dolphin populations off the Southeast Atlantic coast.
3. A forever home for rescued sea otters – Sea Otters are an endangered species. In 2010, three southern sea otters were orphaned on the Central California coastline. The otters were deemed unreleasable by the federal government and were given a forever home at the Georgia Aquarium. Since their arrival, millions of visitors have been able to learn about the plight of fissipeds.
2. The Gentle Giants – There is nothing as awe-inspiring as seeing the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium. Watching the world’s largest shark swim gently above your head inspires wonder and is a memorable experience for visitors to the Aquarium. What once inspired fear, now inspires love and admiration when you get up close with them.
1. Hardworking men and women dedicated to marine animals – None of the amazing things that happen at the Georgia Aquarium would be possible without the hardworking men and women who work days, evenings, weekends and holidays to provide the love and care to the animals who call the facility home.
Going to the Georgia Aquarium is more than just a visit. It has a global impact. Visitors empower this organization to make a global impact in protecting and conserving our oceans.
This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the people who are working tirelessly to protect and save our awesome oceans.