The Vancouver Aquarium is looking at conservation success stories with its new exhibit.
Opening Saturday, May 14, Wildlife Rescue: Miracles in Conservation will take visitors through the stories of animal species that have been saved with conservation efforts. It'll also feature 12 species highlights with interactive experiences.
"Wildlife Rescue is about endangered animals and the people who have dedicated their lives to helping them survive. Wildlife populations around the world are under enormous stress due to pollution, deforestation and habitat encroachment," states the aquarium in a press release. "Many species are becoming endangered while others are on the brink of extinction."
While endangered animals are often a depressing and dire topic, the exhibit will show how efforts have helped populations return for animals like the Burmese star tortoise, Hog Island boa constrictor and crested gecko. Other species represented will include the domestic ferret, Virginia opossum, painted turtle, western fox snake, cane toad, Malagasy tree boa, red knee tarantula, and the green and black dart frog.
The tortoise is a good example of conservation efforts, notes the aquarium. A few years ago only a few hundred were alive; now there are 14,000 in the wild, and others in captivity.
“Everyone can have a role to play in the story of wildlife rescue. We invite everyone to begin their journey as a wildlife rescuer,” says aquarium Animal Care
Director Mackenzie Neale.
