A Spotlight on An Aquarium Like No Other
It’s time to recognize a leader among aquaria.
Want to guess who it is? Good!
We thought so.
Which aquarium rescued four sea otters from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, is partnered with SECORE (SExual COral REproduction), an organization of scientists restoring coral reefs, and engaging in conservation fieldwork in the Great Lakes?
If you guessed Shedd, you’re right!
The Shedd Aquarium, a famous downtown Chicago icon, is known all over the world for the conservation fieldwork, interaction projects, awareness campaigns, and the more than 32,000 animals it houses and cares for.
Shedd makes a difference.
For almost 50 years, Shedd has responded when animals are in need and run one of the world’s best rescue and rehabilitation programs.
Their scientists are on the ground from Southeast Asia’s coral reefs, to Bahamian cays, to Amazonian wetlands.
Shedd scientists know that habitat conservation is a key part of animal species survival, so researchers involved in these projects make it their mission to create protected areas.
They also know that marine protected areas don’t succeed without support from the area locals, so researchers pay special attention to the people who depend on the area for their livelihoods.
Sound familiar? That’s because it is.
The Shedd Aquarium doesn’t just make a difference around the world, they take special care to enhance the natural ecosystem close to home.
The Great Lakes are home to more than 3,500 plant and animal species and provide drinking water, employment and recreation to 36 million people in the United States. And Shedd’s Great Lakes Program focuses on environmental issues that affect every creature in the region, including algae, spruce, and moose.
The aquarium also offers a fantastic “Citizen Science” program to engage audiences and allow people to become involved in protecting endangered animals and habitats in a variety of ways.
Programs like iSeahorse, Great Lakes Action Days, and the Iguana Research Expedition promote positive change and encourage education for those of us who want to get involved.
Providing the best care for animals both in the aquarium and in the wild makes Shedd Aquarium an overwhelming force of good and an inspiration to marine enthusiasts everywhere.
If you’re in the Chicago area, make sure to stop by Shedd Aquarium and say hello to the Belugas for us!
