Over the course of the past few months, aquarium biologists have worked closely with staff members from our life support team and maintenance department to renovate our Predators exhibit.

Over the course of the past few months, aquarium biologists have worked closely with staff members from our life support team and maintenance department to renovate our Predators exhibit. Since 1996, the Predators exhibit has been home to "Bubba" a large Goliath grouper, who has called the DWA home since 1992, and a host of other predatory fishes. Well, all that has changed and the newly renovated exhibit is now the spacious home of our Leafy seadragons!

Have no fear, though, "Bubba" is not far away. He also enjoys a spacious new home along side several other Goliath groupers in our Shark Cenote exhibit. Bubba and his new friends are getting along swimmingly!

During the next few weeks we will continue to move Leafy seadragons, large and small, from their homes in the South Australia exhibit and behind the scenes holding, into the new exhibit. Ultimately, we hope to have as many as 24 juvenile and adult seadragons in the display, now named Dragons From Down Under after their Australian homeland.

The idea for the renovation was the vision of Director, Daryl Richardson following months of planning. We have been very successful in maintaining the Leafy seadragons in our collection since 1994, and are among the world’s leaders in terms of our knowledge of the husbandry of this species. In fact, we authored the Husbandry manual for the Leafy seadragon for Project Seahorse’s Syngnathid Husbandry Manual 2005. This publication is distributed among biologists working with seahorses and their relatives around the world. In April 2008, The Dallas World Aquarium sponsored the first ever Seadragon Husbandry Symposium which was attended by seadragon specialists from around the world. This Symposium, was in part, the catapult to renovating the exhibit.

Although the Weedy seadragon, has bred successfully in an aquarium environment, the Leafy seadragon, the more ornate species, has not. We are hopeful that the larger, deeper aquarium will provide the space needed to achieve this much anticipated reproductive success.

Along with a new look, the exhibit has also gone High Tech! The back corner of the exhibit is dedicated to a new web camera. This camera can be viewed 24/7 not only by our staff biologists, but by the public as well! Click on our new Leafy cam and see if you can sneak a peek at the dragons in their beautiful new home! Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled and look closely at the males’ tails, before too long we hope to see them loaded with eggs!

Fifty-five Orinoco crocodiles, between two and three years of age, were sent to Venezuela on Saturday, December 6, 2008 on American Airlines cargo flight 2155.

Fifty-five Orinoco crocodiles, between two and three years of age, were sent to Venezuela on Saturday, December 6, 2008 on American Airlines cargo flight 2155. Conservation Biologist Luis Sigler flew on the same flight to the Caracas airport. Because the flight was full, 6 of the 12 crates were sent on a later flight to Miami, where they remained overnight, arriving in Caracas on Sunday.

Sigler and the first group of crocodiles arrived at 9 pm in Caracas and after an hour of paperwork at the AA cargo area, which was secured by the military, the valuable cargo was transferred by truck to the "Rancho Grande" Biological Station in the State of Maracay, arriving there at 3 am and released at 7 am. All of the crocs were fine and some hours later were basking under a beautiful sun for the first time in their lives.

The second group arrived at "Rancho Grande" Biological station at 9 pm on Sunday. Because the second group of crocs had been inside the crates for 37 hours, they were immediately released into the ponds.

No health problems were observed in the crocodiles – largely because they were in good shape at the DWA and had fasted and been medicated against myopathy (a stress related disease) a couple of days prior to being shipped. All of the crocodiles were fasted again on Monday but on Tuesday, a nice meal of fresh sardines was offered and some of them started to eat.

The two outdoor, concrete ponds at "Rancho Grande" reserved for the Texan "Orinoco crocodiles" measure 30' x 15' and 2' deep in the water area. They also have a shady area over the pond and a mild ramp where the crocs are fed.

The crates were designed by DWA staff with the experience of previous shipments and according to IATA regulations. Some of these crates were carrying six crocodiles; others were for five, four and three. Each compartment held one crocodile with a sliding door that was properly labeled in order to identify each individual crocodile.

All of the crocodiles had been marked immediately after hatching and a special metal tag was placed in their web skin between the 3^rd and 4^th toes on the rear left leg. With this ID, we compiled individual histories at the DWA and will be able to identify them after they are released in the near future.

The suggested release date is March 2009, during the dry season for "Los Llanos Venezolanos" (the Venezuelan flat fields) so the crocodiles can have enough time to adapt and claim a territory prior to the rising of the water levels. The best option is the Capanaparo River, a protected National Park where a growing population of this species is being studied and the new genes that all the DWA crocodile ladies will bring, will help the recovery of this endangered species, actually the largest terrestrial animal for the continent.

Thanks to all the people that helped make this project possible, especially USFWS, USDA, DWA staff, MARN, CSG, GECV and the US Embassy in Caracas. Found in Venezuela and eastern Colombia, the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is one of the most endangered species of crocodilians in the world. Eleven years ago, the Venezuelan government and The Dallas World Aquarium agreed that an adult pair of crocodiles would be sent to Dallas for display and, if they reproduced, the babies would be sent to Venezuela. "Miranda" and "Juancho" are the stars of this success story because they have produced more than a hundred hatchlings since 2003, making the DWA the only place in the world where this species is breeding outside its natural distribution.

The IIAP Research Center at Quistococha, Peru, the site of the pool that is currently home to orphaned Amazonian manatees, just increased their number of young manatees to seven this week.

The IIAP Research Center at Quistococha, Peru, the site of the pool that is currently home to orphaned Amazonian manatees, just increased their number of young manatees to seven this week. The activities provided by the staff and their enthusiasm for the project is contagious – as proven by the celebration of the first-year anniversary of the rescue of South America and Yanayacu. Not only were students in attendance, authorities of the Ministry of Environment (Lima), representatives of IIAP, Produce and Regional Government, mayors of several Amazon towns and reporters and journalists from several networks and newspapers were also present.

The rescue of the latest baby manatee required six days of travel by boat through the Amazon and Ucayali River to reach the manatee. The manatee had remained for two months in captivity in the cage. While in the area, the staff took the time to meet with local residents and begin the first steps toward the development of environmental education. Javier, the project director reported that they "did not have a problem with the people who had the manati because they understood that it is forbidden to have manati in captivity." Javier also stresses the importance in providing flyers, brochures and personal communication with people throughout the Amazon to increase awareness of the plight of the manatee and to remind all that it is illegal to hunt and sell the animals.

The link to the Acobia website on our Conservation page is very informative and frequently updated. Be sure to keep up with their latest endeavors.

Sometimes, we hear our visitors exclaim “I’ve never seen so many birds in an aquarium!”

Sometimes, we hear our visitors exclaim “I’ve never seen so many birds in an aquarium!” With over 180 species and subspecies, our bird collection is one of the biggest in North America, definitely in the top fifteen. In less than a decade, our breeding successes have been gratifying, with more than thirty species hatched and reared and offspring sent to collections all over the U.S. and to other countries. Three species of birds have been bred for the first time in captivity at The Dallas World Aquarium.

Although the Guiana Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola rupicola) has been kept in captivity since 1866, the closest anyone had come to success in reproducing this fantastic-looking bird was when eggs were laid in an Italian private aviary in 1965. Although this species was always a treasured rarity, it could be seen in quite a few zoos and other collections in the 1960s. In more recent years, various protective regulations have largely prevented its export from North-eastern South America. The four males and six females at DWA have been the only living specimens outside of South America for a long time. They were obtained through the courtesy of the Venezuelan Government and its organization of zoos.

Ever since its arrival in 2001, the DWA colony has been kept in a quiet, very large conservatory, far away from public view. Nesting activities commenced in December, 2004 and have occurred each year. However, no eggs were laid until this year, when two were hatched on May 14, and one survived to fledge. The spreading patches of bright orange among its brown feathers tell us that this much celebrated bird is a male. Several females are working on their nests presently and we hope they will prove as prolific as their Western relatives, the Andean Cocks-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) which, since August, 2007, have produced 14 chicks, a unique achievement.

Along with its success of Cocks-of-the-rock, DWA has attained international renown for breeding members of the toucan family. Since 2000, thirteen species and subspecies have reproduced here, a record exceeded only by a single private collection in California. This year we have so far raised chicks from ten species. One of these is a world-first, the Blue-throated emerald toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis) found only in parts of Panama and Costa Rica. We were allowed to export the parents last year, with special permits from the Panamanian government.

Success continues with our Ivory-billed aracaris, which commenced breeding here in 2005. This was definitely the world’s first breeding of the Yellow-billed subspecies (Pteroglossus azara flavirostris), and the first time any sort of Ivory-bill had hatched outside of South America. (Apparently some of the Brown-billed subspecies were bred in a private collection in Peru). One of the two males hatched in 2005 was paired with a wild-caught female and has since proven to be an excellent, but rather aggressive, protective father. Meanwhile, his parents have continued their own activities, so that more than 20 have been hatched here in the last four years. Two have been sent to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and several more to private breeders. Others are at large in the Orinoco Rainforest and one has joined the crew of delightfully tame birds in our temporary toucan feeding encounter.

Over the past few years, the staff members at The Dallas World Aquarium have opted to replace their annual holiday party with an informal, fun afternoon spent with children that are the responsibility of the Child Protective Services Division.

Over the past few years, the staff members at The Dallas World Aquarium have opted to replace their annual holiday party with an informal, fun afternoon spent with children that are the responsibility of the Child Protective Services Division. The names of 50 children were drawn by staff members and, along with sacks filled with goodies, each child received a gift appropriate for his/her age. Daryl’s By Design, the in-house catering company, provided a buffet of food that not only pleased the kids, but the adults as well. Staff members provided guided tours throughout the facility for the participants.

Each year, the event gets bigger and better – and this year will be extremely difficult to "out do." More than 150 people filled the recently renovated Port Hole, with plenty of room for eating, photo ops, dancing and holiday decorations. Thanks to Green Screen Photography by Jonathan Goldwater at GladTower Live Productions for their contribution in providing photos for the children. DJ Brian Prescott, with Borrowed Time Productions, provided free entertainment for all ages and was definitely the hit of the party. It was fun to see some of the dance movements of various DWA staffers (some you want to remember forever and some you try desperately to forget). At times, the photographer from Channel 33 appeared to be anxious to hide his camera and join in the fun, but he certainly got some good shots that will be aired on Christmas day.

The DWA is fortunate that our resident Mr. & Mrs. Claus were healthy and prosperous all year and were both their usual jolly selves for the event. They were joined by our tap dancing, twin elves who encouraged the participation of all the children in some unique performances!

Perhaps the most difficult part each year is seeing the afternoon come to an end and knowing that each child leaving is still searching for that special someone to provide her/him with an appropriate home. To each child that participated in The Dallas World Aquarium’s Holiday Event this year, thanks for sharing your afternoon with us and we truly hope that we helped make your small world a happier, better place – even if just for a few hours.

In June, we implemented a recycling program for tin, aluminum, paper and plastics and because of its success, we went a step further in October.

In June, we implemented a recycling program for tin, aluminum, paper and plastics and because of its success, we went a step further in October. We took delivery of an eight-yard Frontload container for recycle materials that is emptied every ten days. It can be seen in our parking lot the next time you visit.

The Dallas World Aquarium is initiating various ideas and programs for zero waste. Beginning this month, all plastic cups used in the restaurants and Jungle Café have been replaced with cups made from a bioplastic resin (raw material). Corn starch is the main raw material used in producing this compostable and biodegradable material. Also available will be lids and straws made from corn starch. We have discontinued using styrofoam cups and will now use a hot cup lined with a vegetable based coating instead of the poly-linings, allowing the cup to be 100% biodegradable.

"Earth Matters - An Encyclopedia of Ecology" explores Earth's ecosystems and what we can do as individuals and as a society to stop the destruction of our planet.

"Earth Matters - An Encyclopedia of Ecology" explores Earth's ecosystems and what we can do as individuals and as a society to stop the destruction of our planet. David de Rothschild, the consultant editor, has traveled to the poles of the Earth. On his adventures he has seen the damage and destruction of our planet. He has said, "The scale and complexity of the problems we face sometimes seem overwhelming and rather frightening. However, we can create solutions for our planet through understanding, commitment and motivation."

This is a great read for children and adults. There are 249 pages filled with interesting facts, charts, maps, projects, ideas of what we can do to help our planet and beautiful photos. You can find this book in our Book Store for $24.99. Members remember you do get a 10% discount.

If we all go a little 'Green' we can save our planet.