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Dear Members,
In the fourth quarter newsletter (2008), the article "First Breedings at the DWA" discussed the many new species of birds that have hatched at the DWA. In order to continue this successful breeding program, we must provide suitable aviaries for existing and new species. Many species are quite content to share their space with visitors and go about building nests, laying eggs and caring for their young. Other species require off-exhibit breeding areas, and it is for those species that we provide habitats on both the aquarium and yellow buildings upper levels. Knowing that downtown Dallas and tropical rainforests have little in common, we give particular attention to natural light, temperature, water and vegetation – resulting in a successful breeding program. Many guests have inquired about the construction over Corbin Street, which will be for new off-exhibit aviaries, eventually viewed from Jungle Cafe, third level of the Orinoco exhibit.
 We have housed Green and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles during previous years, and at the present time, Hawksbill sea turtles can be seen in the Mundo Maya exhibit. Known as "Patti" and "Isla" the two came to us from Sea Turtle, Inc. in South Padre Island, TX.
In conjunction with AZA, we will be "Springing Forward" on March 7th and 8th – when the time will once again change! In order to continue the momentum from Year of the Frog 2008, we will be displaying the stages of various species, from eggs to adults. Our favorite toad "Noah" will be present for photos, and children can select frog bookmarks, pencils, assorted tattoos, etc. The educational fun will take place in the theater from 1:00 - 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Please remember that weekdays during the next three months will accommodate many school children, particularly during the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Educational field trips play an important role in the DWA's conservation commitment and while sometimes a bit hectic, we will always strive to provide a great experience for each of our guests, every day of the year.
Spring Break is a busy time at the DWA! In an effort to better manage crowd control, beginning Saturday, March 14th and ending Saturday, March 21st, we will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. During this time, scheduled performances of the Mayan Performance Troupe may be replaced with the troupe strolling both inside and outside the facility for better crowd control and to allow for more visitors to see them up close.
After many requests for the return of our Mother's Day Brunch, we will once again be taking reservations for the May 10th event. Members will be given first options before opening to the public. The luncheon will take place on the newly renovated second floor of the aquarium.
 Summer 2009 will see several new programs/species at the DWA. We will be emphasizing the various species of clownfish throughout the aquarium – all relatives of the ever popular Nemo! Plans are almost complete for the Summer Junior Volunteer Program. Please read the article in this issue and if you have a son or daughter that is interested in participating, contact the education department.
Daryl Richardson, Director
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A new chapter in our sea turtle history has begun as we welcome a new species to our Mundo Maya exhibit.
"Patti", or "PattiCake" as she is also known, stranded on South Padre Island on October 17, 2005 at 1.0 kilograms and 19.9 cm carapace or shell length. She was covered from head to tail with barnacles on top and bottom. She was missing pieces of all four flippers but the wounds were well healed. Her early bloodwork was indicative of a turtle "worn out" by a long migration. Hawksbill sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico commonly are born in the Yucatan Peninsula of Southern Mexico. As juveniles, they will follow prevailing currents and enter the Gulf of Mexico in the spring and summer then return south in the fall. "Patti" had likely entered the Gulf in the summer and was growing weaker evidenced by the large amount of barnacles.
"Isla" stranded in Corpus Christi on August 17, 2002 at just 34.8 grams and 6 cm carapace length. She had fresh bite wounds to all four flippers and was carrying hydroids on top and bottom. Deemed non-releasable due to the amount of flipper loss, she was transferred to Sea Turtle, Inc. on South Padre Island after healing (November 2002). For unknown reasons, she was not able to dive and as she grew, her carapace extended due to persistent trapped air. The air could be removed but returned with every breath. Too small for any invasive procedures, she was hand fed and quickly became a popular addition to the public displays. Finally, in 2007, she began diving and by early 2008 resumed normal diving and surfacing behavior of a sea turtle. Her "miracle" was not the result of human intervention but simply the amazing recuperative powers of these endangered reptiles.
The Spring Forward for Amphibians Initiative is not only a continuation of current conservation efforts...
The beautiful Panamanian golden frog is a critically endangered toad that is endemic to Panama. It is believed to be extinct in the wild, with the preservation of the species now being dependent on those in captivity. The demise of this frog is largely due to a chytrid fungus that attacks keratin in the dermal tissue of amphibians which results in suffocation. The fungus is not treatable in the wild. Other existing threats are habitat loss due to deforestation and pollution. Poaching and over-collection for the pet trade were threats when the golden frog was still prevalent in the wild.
The Vietnamese mossy frog resembles a patch of moss. The green color and dark spots are enhanced with spines and tubercles, giving it the moss-like texture, making it quite difficult to see the frog. The semi-aquatic, nocturnal species can often be found hiding in the water under plants or rocks in flooded caves and deep niches in mountain stream banks in northern Vietnam.
School groups visiting the DWA are an integral part of our education/ conservation goals.
Whether you define "clown" as one who wears a bizarre costume, one whose actions are exaggerated and ridiculous, or both – clownfish earn their common name!
The length of the 28 species ranges from two to five inches, with the males being smaller than females. Anemone clownfish can start their life as a male and then change to female (protandrous hermaphrodites – born with both male and female sex organs). The largest fish and most aggressive in the group is a female; second biggest is a male. The sex organs for all other clownfish do not fully function as either gender. Should the dominant female die, the largest male will change sex and the largest non-sexually functioning clownfish, will then become the dominant male.
their host-anemone protects them from other marine creatures, humans are their major predators as they collect the appealing clownfish to meet the pet-trade demand. It is encouraging that advances in captive-rearing procedures and aquaculture have led to success in clownfish culture and reproduction, reducing the number being taken from the wild.
The Dallas World Aquarium will be hosting Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 10, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Priority for participation in the summer junior volunteer program will be given to DWA members.
The three Learning Stations will include:
Our Book of the Month choice, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", is not just about the book itself but also its author, Eric Carle.
Our Book of the Month choice, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, is not just about the book itself but also its author, Eric Carle. Anyone who has children in school has had the pleasure of his work. The month of March celebrates the 40th anniversary of this delightful book. What makes this book so popular is the combination of wonderful illustrations, an entertaining story and a unique book design. His illustrations are created with collage techniques; he uses hand-painted papers, which he cuts, layers and shapes to create his artwork.
best-known work, the afore mentioned book, "has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 47 languages and sold over 29 million copies." Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, most of which he also wrote and more than 88 million copies of his books have sold around the world. He has written about a variety of animals and critters, such as crickets, sloths, seahorses and zoo animals.
