Record Snowfall No Match For Animal Care Teams

By Danielle Cookish

When we think of marine parks, our first thoughts are typically of warm vacation destinations at the base of palm trees and climates that offer a perpetual sense of summer. But what about marine parks in harsher weather environments, like New England?

Up north, we’re known for our truly bizarre weather patterns and extreme storms. In 2011, Massachusetts saw an outbreak of severe thunderstorms, an EF-3 tornado which carved a 39 mile path right through downtown Springfield, two microbursts, and an aftershock of a major earthquake that had originated in Virginia.

While our weather can be unpredictable, special measures must be taken for the safety and security for animals that reside in New England’s many zoos and aquariums.

The Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Connecticut is fully equipped to handle every major weather event from peak hurricane winds to record-breaking snowfall.

In recent weeks, New England, specifically Boston, has seen record-shattering snowfall, causing the MBTA system to temporarily shut down along with countless businesses.  While some of us may have been able to take a day or two off to dig ourselves out, Mystic’s animal care teams have been onsite around the clock, making sure the animals are taken care of as well as the facility itself.

Animal Care team members spend Valentine’s Day night looking after animals during one of many snow storms this season.

Extreme weather poses additional challenges in animal care, husbandry, and veterinary care, but the teams at Mystic Aquarium have got it down to a science, making safety in extreme weather for both the animals and the staff the number one priority.

They even had time to make a snowman for Juno!

All images and video courtesy of the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration official social media.