Photo credit: North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Summer is here and its a great time to get out there and visit our wonderful zoos and aquariums.
175 million people visit U.S. zoos and aquariums each year and their popularity is growing as more and more people are coming to appreciate the real value these facilities add to conservation and education.
These facilities are, for most of us, the only opportunity we’ll have to view animals up close. That’s why many zoos and aquariums offer excellent teaching resources for students and educators.
Next to education, conservation is a key mission for zoos and aquariums. Noted naturalist and animal enthusiast Jack Hanna recently wrote a column discussing they’re critical role in protecting species and conservation efforts. We’ve been covering and will continue to cover facilities’ conservation projects, like, SeaWorld’s ongoing efforts to rescue and rehabilitate sea lions along the California coast.
Check out the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. They’re a good source for information on different facilities found around the U.S..
So now that school is out for the summer, get out there and support your area’s zoo or aquarium. You may just learn a thing or two!