They are spending $20 million to renovate the beluga exhibit. I'm still not sure why they would spend this kind of money on a 10 year exhibit. Vancouver Aquarium to spend $20 million on beluga pens despite upcoming ban
Besides that, having the belugas here for only a period of time makes some sense when considering the current situation with belugas in north america, there just aren't that many whales of breeding age and the US can no longer import whales of Russian heritage. This put us in a situation where any facility that sends animals to Vancouver will want them back at some point for breeding. On the topic of pricing, I'm not sure, snowleopards could be right, at the same time an expanded and updated pool is always useful, even if it's not for belugas. Dolphins could come back for example, or it could be for more pinnipeds to be on display. There is some worry about funding for the offsite sea lion research program going on at UBC, if funding doesn't come through the aquarium might end up having to house more steller's onsite.
So much for Vancouver Aquarium spending $20 million on an enlarged beluga whale habitat and bringing the whales back for an aquarium stint until 2029. That announcement is now ancient history as last night the Vancouver Park Board voted 7-0 to completely ban all cetaceans permanently at the facility. No belugas coming back, no breeding, no cetaceans whatsoever. Currently there is a single false pilot whale, a single Pacific white-sided dolphin and a single harbour porpoise and those 3 animals might have to be moved to a different facility. Wow. Vancouver Park Board votes to end display of cetaceans at aquarium
Honestly the decision isn't so bad. That $20 million can now be used for better purposed than a ten year exhibit. We all knew where this was heading anyway. The three remaining cetaceans can just go to Sea World where they can live with other animals of the same or similar species. Probably better for them that way anyway. I wonder what the ban will mean for other animals like Chester who are found sick, injured or orphaned? Without the aquariums ability to take him in and provide care and space for him they would have had no choice but to put him down. Will they still be able to rescue and potentially rehabilitate? Or does this policy shift spell instant death for those needing help? I know it doesn't happen a ton with cetaceans but it is a valid question.
This not a good decision in the slightest, and not better for the animals, or the aquarium. The animals will not have a better life at Seaworld, Helen and Chester are socially well bonded, have excellent relationships with their trainers, and are both non releasable non breeding animals. There are no other Pseudorca in continental North America, so the two would be separated, with Helen most likely going to San Antonio and Chester to San Diego. While both would likely do fine and adapt well to the moves, there is no genuine benefit to it. The pools they would be going into at Seaworld are smaller than what they live in now, and although Helen would have more dolphins of the same species to interact with, Chester would likely never be housed with many animals. Chest would go to the dolphin show stadium most likely, where her social grouping would consist of two pilot whales. SW does not mix species as none of their show dolphins (all female) are on contraception and they do not wish to risk hybrids. So social situation, especially for Chester, would be of limited benefit. As for Daisy, the porpoise, the only other small cetaceans in North America are the Commerson's Dolphins at Aquatica, where she would not go. Most likely, she would be transferred to San Diego as well, where she would likely be housed either by herself off display or with their belugas, which would make her the only animal to have a genuine increase in social interaction, assuming their beluga group accepts her. As for your other pondering, the decisions does indeed spell instant death for any non releasable cetaceans. While their marine mammals rescue program will still operate (it is independent of the aquarium), now any cetaceans that strand in the future and are deemed unreleasable will have to be euthanized, unless further agreements can be worked out.
The sea otter pups have begun intros to the adults. Set your phasers to adorable: sea otter pups frolic with adult for first time
I visited Vancouver Aquarium today and it was my second visit of 2017. There are still enormous, floor-to-ceiling drawings, plans and images promoting Arctic Coast, a proposed $28 million expansion of the Beluga Whale habitat. There are still two scale models on display, with an incredible attention to detail and little figures admiring plastic toy belugas (I believe that there are photos in the gallery). However, the Beluga Whale tank was blocked off today and the pool was drained of water. There is even a new aquarium map with the Beluga Whale exhibit completely omitted as if it doesn't even exist...very odd considering that the aquarium has had the species on display for something like 50 years and there is quite obviously a large empty tank that can be seen by leaning over barriers. The space could be turned into a fantastic pinniped pool or even a future home for a large penguin colony but I honestly have no idea as to what the future holds for the establishment. I'm not sure that anyone has a clue at the moment.
Sadly, I think this statement rings truer than ever right now. With the ridiculous rules the park board is imposing upon them, and the constant threat of a Canadian captive cetacean ban leering over their heads, things are in fairly dire straights for the aquarium continuing on as they have since 1966, as they have been continuously exhibiting cetaceans for the past 51 years. They have to much invested into their existing infrastructure to make a move a feasible decision, yet at the same time they are constantly under the restrictions imposed by the park board at their current location. I think for the time being, all we can do is hope that things will end up coming together in the Vancouver Aquariums favor.
Vancouver Aquarium wants you to help save its rescue program - NEWS 1130 Vancouver aquarium pleads for delay on 'short-sighted' cetacean ban
A sea lion has been rescued follow it being shot multiple times in the head. He has a long road to recovery and may not be able to go back to the wild. Sea lion found suffering from gunshot wounds on Vancouver beach
A few articles about the aquariums conservation work. Vancouver Aquarium takes a bold new lead on ocean conservation Vancouver Aquarium releases northern fur seal back into wild Vancouver Aquarium Treating Rescued Seal Pups
They are right to go on the offensive and underline the sea mammal work they do as well as the wider and new oceanic outlook they are venturing into.
The aquarium will be challenging the cetacean ban in court. Vancouver Aquarium launches legal challenge to overturn park board ban of cetaceans in captivity
More bad new porpoise, Daisy, has died. Vancouver Aquarium launches legal challenge to overturn park board ban of cetaceans in captivity
A male sea otter pup has been rescued. Tiny male sea otter getting 24-hour care at Vancouver Aquarium’s Rescue Centre
And another article about the rescued sea otter pup : Vancouver Aquarium Cares for Rescued Sea Otter Pup
