Coral World Ocean Park, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islandstag:coralworldvi.com,2008://12008-05-11T14:10:59ZMovable Type 3.35Coral World Honors Motherstag:coralworldvi.com,2008://1.472008-04-27T14:22:16Z2008-05-11T14:10:59ZOn Sunday, May 11th, Coral World will honor mothers and grandmothers with a special Mother’s Day promotion. Coral World invites all children to bring their mothers and grandmothers to visit the park at a 50% discount. Children must accompany their...kitty
On Sunday, May 11th, Coral World will honor mothers and grandmothers with a special Mother’s Day promotion. Coral World invites all children to bring their mothers and grandmothers to visit the park at a 50% discount. Children must accompany their mothers or grandmothers for the discount.
“Coral World appeals to people of all ages, so it’s ideal for a family outing on Mother’s Day. With our special promotion, we want to encourage families to spend their Mother’s Day here,” explains Trudie Prior, Coral World’s General Manager. The park’s two cafes will be open for lunch, serving sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, frozen drinks and ice cream. There are feedings and talks throughout the day starting at 9:45am. The very popular sea lion presentations will take place at 11:20 am and 2:00 pm. Children can treat their mothers to a cup of nectar to feed the sociable lorikeets for $3.00 a cup. Admission to Coral World is $19 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-12. The local discount for Virgin Island residents with ID is $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12. There is no charge for children under 3 years old. The park is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. (The Ticket Booth closes at 4:00pm.) For more information, please call 775-1555 ext. 247. Or, if you would like to make reservations for one of Coral World’s added attractions like the Sea Lion Swim, Sea Trek, Snuba or Power Snorkeling, please call 775-1555 ext. 233.
For further information contact:
Valerie Peters or Kitty Edwards
Coral World Marketing Department
(340) 775-1555 ext. 246
Earth Day Celebrationstag:coralworldvi.com,2008://1.462008-04-15T16:02:04Z2008-04-15T20:08:33ZOn Tuesday, April 22nd come to Coral World Ocean Park to celebrate Earth Day....kitty
On Tuesday, April 22nd come to Coral World Ocean Park to celebrate Earth Day.
Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Education program which will be on display in the Blue Water Terrace.
The goal of the Environmental Education Program is to provide information to the public on the importance of our natural resources, including our fish, wildlife, their habitats and pressing environmental issues so that you may make informed decisions about our local environment.
Coral World is open from 9AM to 5PM and the ticket booth closes one hour prior to closing. Fun and interactive feeding presentations begin at 9:40AM and continue throughout the day. ]]>
Coral World Awarded Best Local Tourtag:coralworldvi.com,2008://1.432008-03-20T14:20:12Z2008-04-02T13:13:36ZReaders of the Virgin Islands Daily News have voted Coral World Ocean Park as the Best Local Tour for 2008....kitty
Readers of the Virgin Islands Daily News have voted Coral World Ocean Park as the Best Local Tour for 2008.
]]>
Coral World Rehabilitates and Releases Sea Turtle Hatchlingstag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.392008-03-01T17:31:48Z2008-03-21T18:43:37ZSt. Thomas, USVI February 15, 2008 – As part of its rescue and rehabilitation program, Coral World released four Green Sea Turtle hatchlings along the west side of Hawk’s Nest Bay, St. John on Valentine’s Day....kitty
St. Thomas, USVI February 15, 2008 – As part of its rescue and rehabilitation program, Coral World released four Green Sea Turtle hatchlings along the west side of Hawk’s Nest Bay, St. John on Valentine’s Day.]]>
Thirty-five guests of the Ritz Carlton accompanied the hatchlings and two Coral World staff members aboard Ritz Carlton’s flagship, the Lady Lynsey, to participate in the release and to learn about the threatened Green Sea Turtles.
“The turtle release aboard the Lady Lynsey is a great example of local businesses working together for the betterment of the community and the environment. For our guests, it’s an opportunity to learn about the animals and the environment around them and the impact they have on our land and our waters,” said Marc Langevin, General Manager of Ritz Carlton.
Three of the hatchlings were found in the Sapphire Beach Marina and the fourth hatchling on Coki Beach by concerned citizens and brought to Coral World in December 2007 for rehabilitation. The hatchlings were dehydrated, tired and disoriented. In their 45 days of rehabilitation, the hatchlings have quadrupled in size, weighing between 2.0 and 2.8 ounces on their release date.
Dr. William Coles, Endangered Species Coordinator for the Division of Fish and Wildlife noted, “45 days is mandated by law as the maximum number of days allowed for rehabilitation, unless there’s extenuating circumstances. The four hatchlings released on Valentine’s Day looked great!”
On average, Green Sea Turtles lay 135 eggs per nest. Most of these will hatch and emerge from the nest under the cover of nightfall and make their way to the ocean using different environmental cues such as the vibration of the waves hitting the ocean floor and the reflection of the moon off the water. Hatchlings have a 24-48 hour energy stored in a yolk sack from the time they hatch to the time they get into the ocean and past the breaking waves. After this energy store is used, they will have to pursue food on their own.
“Hawk’s Nest Bay, St. John is a great location for the hatchlings to get a start on their new life,” stated Peter Noah, Vice President and General Curator of Coral World. “It’s already a turtle nesting site and a safe location for release. It also has plenty of food and cover to give the hatchlings the best chance for survival.”
The public can help to ensure healthy hatchlings in their natural environment by keeping beach lighting to a minimum, removing trash from the beach so as not to impede the hatchlings’ pathway to the ocean, and leaving healthy hatchlings alone in their natural environment.
Coral World has been doing turtle rehabilitation since it reopened in 1997 as part of its mission to educate, entertain and inspire appreciation for the Caribbean marine environment.
Environmental Research on Juvenile Reef Sharkstag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.422008-03-01T15:57:38Z2008-03-21T18:44:24ZSt. Thomas, USVI October 26, 2007 – As part of a community footprints effort, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas partnered with Coral World on Friday, October 26 for a shark tagging expedition....kitty
St. Thomas, USVI October 26, 2007 – As part of a community footprints effort, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas partnered with Coral World on Friday, October 26 for a shark tagging expedition.
ABOUT CORAL WORLD
The mission of Coral World is to entertain, to educate and to inspire appreciation for the Caribbean marine environment and the beautiful plants and trees of the Virgin Islands.
ABOUT THE RITZ-CARLTON, ST. THOMAS
Overlooking the turquoise waters of Great Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is a secluded hideaway on a 30-acre beachfront estate with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and neighboring islands. As part of the recent $40 million renovation, the resort offers a variety of luxurious amenities including lavishly designed presidential suites and guest rooms; four distinctive ocean-front dining choices; the first Prada Spa experience in the Caribbean; a 53’ luxury catamaran, the Lady Lynsey; and for those visiting by sea, the resort offers moorings, allowing guests to access this ultimate lifestyle destination by sea or air. The acclaimed resort continues to garner distinguished accolades from top publications such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.
For further information and reservations, please call (800) 241-3333, access the web site at www.ritzcarlton.com or contact a travel professional. ]]>
Loggerhead Rehabilitated & Releasedtag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.412008-02-28T21:04:54Z2008-03-21T18:44:55ZOn March 20th, 2007 Coral World returned a rare loggerhead sea turtle to the ocean after ensuring that the animal was in good health and able to fend for itself. The release occurred within days of the release of Zada,...kitty
On March 20th, 2007 Coral World returned a rare loggerhead sea turtle to the ocean after ensuring that the animal was in good health and able to fend for itself. The release occurred within days of the release of Zada, a large green sea turtle, also rehabilitated at Coral World.
Coral World’s Vice President of Operations Peter Noah observed, “We are receiving more frequent calls to assist with the rehabilitation of large sea turtles. Having two such large turtles at Coral World simultaneously is a strain on our current rehabilitation capacity and staff resources, but we are the only facility in the region able to care for these animals until they can be released.”
Local fisherman spotted a very large loggerhead turtle behaving strangely in the water between St. Thomas and St. Croix. With the assistance of DPNR, the local fisherman transported the turtle to Red Hook on St. Thomas where Coral World Marine Operations staff took over. According to Noah, “Although the animal did not have any visible signs of injury, there was some question whether he/she could dive , which a turtle must do to forage for food.”
The loggerhead joined Zada, a large green sea turtle that had been in Coral World’s care for nearly three months following amputation of a flipper. Fortunately, the loggerhead’s stay at Coral World lasted only a week. Coral World staff provided hydration and closely monitored the loggerhead to make sure it was eating properly and able to dive. Loggerheads are the most commonly seen turtle in Florida but are very rarely seen around the Virgin Islands.
Noah stated, “Coral World has been planning an expansion of its rehabilitation facilities. Our goal is to be able to provide a temporary home, and in some cases a permanent home, to stranded marine mammals, injured sea turtles and other marine animals.” According to Noah, such a facility would create an exceptional opportunity for scientific research and public education.
Sea Lions Splash Down At Coral World Ocean Parktag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.332008-02-27T19:49:05Z2008-03-21T18:45:48ZSt. Thomas, USVI April 30, 2007 - On April 20, 2007, Coral World welcomed four male South American Sea Lions to its facility at Coki Point....
St. Thomas, USVI April 30, 2007 - On April 20, 2007, Coral World welcomed four male South American Sea Lions to its facility at Coki Point.]]>
Romulo, Remo, Omar, and Franco, were tired but healthy after their 86-hour trip from the International Sea Lion Search and Rescue facility in Koh Samui, Thailand, where they have lived for the last two years. Although a little nervous about their new surroundings, they seemed pleased at the opportunity to dive into their specially constructed pool at the rear of Coral World and take their first swim in the Virgin Islands.
Coral World personnel accompanied by staff from the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture, met the sea lions at Cyril E. King Airport in the late afternoon. Jeff Foster, Director of Special Projects at Coral World, and Dr. Ted Hammond, a marine mammal veterinarian and founder of International Sea Lion Search and Rescue, accompanied the animals on their long journey. Mr. Foster stated, "Despite the long hours in their crates first on a truck from Koh Samui to Bangkok, and then on airplanes, the animals came through with flying colors."
Although these sea lions are not native to the Virgin Islands, they are completely adjusted to the climate and water temperatures in the Virgin Islands because of the time they spent in Thailand. Caribbean monk seals, the closest relatives to the sea lions that once inhabited local waters, have been considered extinct for over 50 years. General Manager Trudie Prior observed, "Most people in the Virgin Islands have never seen a seal or sea lion up close. The new sea lion encounter at Coral World presents a wonderful opportunity for local residents and visitors to experience the intelligence and amazing agility of these animals."
Male South American Sea Lions can weigh up to 700 pounds and have deep brown fur on their backs with a lighter brown color on their chests. They are much mellower than the more commonly known California sea lion, according to Coral World Vice President of Operations, Peter Noah. Mr. Noah said, "In contrast to California sea lions, the South American sea lion is much more comfortable working around humans. I really love the way they roar like a lion rather than bark like the California sea lion."
Romulo, Remo, Omar, and Franco originally came from Uruguay where Dr. Hammond selected them from among a group of forty sea lion pups culled by the Government of Uruguay. South American sea lions were under threat in Uruguay as local fishermen called for a cull of their numbers. The fishermen argued that the fur seals and sea lions were destroying their nets and stealing their catch. Under pressure from conservation groups, the Government of Uruguay has now ceased culling of sea lions.
Dr. Hammond transported these four sea lions to Thailand where he began their training for search and rescue missions. They also learned many comical and amusing behaviors, which are part of the environmental enrichment the sea lions need now that they no longer are occupied with survival activities. This training will continue at Coral World and sometime in May or June Coral World will begin to invite small groups of visitors to interact with the sea lions. During an educational briefing, participants will learn about various topics including sea lion habitat, feeding habits, predation, reproductive biology, threats to longevity, and conservation. Following the orientation, participants will have an opportunity to see a demonstration of behaviors by the sea lions and then swim with them.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources - Division of Fish and Wildlife granted Coral World the necessary permits to import the four sea lions because the animals were being maintained in a substandard facility that was about to close. Both agencies also recognized the potential for education and research that these animals present for the Virgin Islands. According to Jeff Foster, "National Marine Fisheries Service is especially excited about the prospect of establishing a marine mammal stranding center in the U.S. Virgin Islands. NMFS understands that we have to be able to justify the cost of constructing such a facility. The sea lions are an essential first step to support Coral World's participation."
Stingray Born At Coral World's Animal Hospitaltag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.302008-02-27T10:26:14Z2008-03-21T18:46:30ZSt. Thomas, USVI January 29, 2007 - When Coral World senior aquarist, Glen Stoutt, made his rounds last Saturday at Coral World's new marine animal hospital, he was thrilled at what he found....
St. Thomas, USVI January 29, 2007 - When Coral World senior aquarist, Glen Stoutt, made his rounds last Saturday at Coral World's new marine animal hospital, he was thrilled at what he found.]]>
The stingray pup, measuring approximately 8 inches from wing tip to wing tip, is healthy and doing very well, according to Peter Noah, Coral World's Vice President of Operations. "We are feeding him shrimp, clams and small bits of fish and just giving this little guy a lot of special attention," he said. While it's still too early to determine the sex of the stingray, the pup has been named "Hatch" after a stingray character in the Sea Tails line of children's clothing which will soon be for sale in the Coral World gift shop.
Southern stingrays are found throughout the Caribbean in shallow coastal habitats with sandy bottoms. They graze on the sandy ocean floor feeding on crustaceans and mollusks which they uncover from the sand by flapping their wings. Like their shark cousins, stingrays hatch from egg capsules inside the mother's uterus and are born soon afterwards. An adult Southern stingray will grow as big as 80 inches and weigh 215 pounds. The Southern stingray is not aggressive towards humans, however, it may use its spine for defense if stepped on.
Coral World's marine animal hospital was designed to hold injured turtles, stranded marine mammals and other sea life in need of special care. "The hospital pool provided the ideal environment for the mother stingray to pup," said Noah. "This facility is not only a great asset to Coral World but also an incredible resource for the entire region," he said. "It is the only marine animal hospital of its kind in the Eastern Caribbean."
Visitors to Coral World can catch a glimpse of "Hatch" swimming and burrowing in the sand at the park's Touch Pool. Eventually he will be moved to the Stingray Lagoon exhibit with a group of other juvenile stingrays.]]>
Coral World Announces Opening of New Bird Exhibittag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.322008-02-27T10:21:02Z2008-03-21T18:47:11ZSt. Thomas, USVI December 15, 2006 - Coral World is pleased to announce the opening of the Lorikeet Garden....
St. Thomas, USVI December 15, 2006 - Coral World is pleased to announce the opening of the Lorikeet Garden.]]>
The Lorikeet Garden is the biggest exhibit to be added to Coral World since the park re-opened in 1998. A ribbon cutting will take place at Coral World on Tuesday, December 19th at 9:00 am. The exhibit will open to the public on Wednesday, December 20th.
The Lorikeet Garden is a 1,600 square-foot walk-through aviary. Coral World guests will be able to enter the habitat and enjoy the lorikeets flying freely in the enclosure. Guests also will have an opportunity to purchase cups of nectar to feed these friendly birds. The exhibit will open with 20 birds; however, Coral World intends to introduce more birds in the near future. Of the 20 birds, 17 are multi-colored rainbow lorikeets known for their sociable nature. There is also a pair of Blue-streaked lorikeets, and a Rainbow/Blue-streaked hybrid. According to Peter Noah, Coral World Vice President of Operations, all of the birds are hand-raised, so they are very comfortable around people. He said, "Of all of the birds I've worked with, lorikeets are by far the most entertaining. They are natural clowns, very acrobatic, and inquisitive about people."
Lorikeets are nectar-eating birds, usually crushing the flower and then licking the honey with their tongues. Their specialized "bottle-brush" tongues make it easier for them to extract nectar and pollen from flowers and from the small cups of nectar provided at Coral World.
Park President and General Manager Trudie Prior said, "We are very excited to offer our guests the chance to get close to these beautiful birds and to learn about them." Prior said, "In the last year we have been focusing on making the park more interactive, because we have concluded that our guests desire more interaction with animals and the environment. They no longer want to be just spectators." Earlier this year Coral World launched the Shark Encounter program designed to put guests in close contact with sharks in the Shark Shallows Pool. The opening of the Lorikeet Garden gives guests one more opportunity for a unique animal interaction.
Admission to the Lorikeet Garden is included in the general admission ticket. For those wishing to feed the lorikeets, there is a charge of $2 per cup of nectar.
Coral World Introduces Shark Encounter Programtag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.292008-02-27T10:20:02Z2008-03-21T18:47:42ZSt. Thomas, USVI February 27, 2006 - Coral World has a new program that gives guests the rare opportunity to encounter sharks face to face and in the water in the Shark Shallows Pool....
St. Thomas, USVI February 27, 2006 - Coral World has a new program that gives guests the rare opportunity to encounter sharks face to face and in the water in the Shark Shallows Pool.]]>
Up until now Coral World guests have been able to touch the tail of a shark while standing at the edge of the pool during the daily presentations. The new Shark Encounter program at Coral World brings the "fear factor" up several notches by inviting a limited number of guests to experience the thrill of being in the water with nearly a dozen sharks!
Sound like a wild idea? The truth is, animal encounter programs similar to this one are a growing trend at aquariums around the world. According to Peter Noah, Coral World vice president of operations, today's aquarium visitors are no longer satisfied with the passive aquarium experience. "People want to experience the excitement and rush of being very close to the animals." The shark encounter program is the first of several other interactive programs that Coral World will introduce this year. A stingray encounter is planned for the spring.
The shark program offered at Coral World is very unique and the only of its kind in the Caribbean. Most shark encounter experiences take place in an environment where artificial barriers such as cages and glass walls separate participants from the sharks. At Coral World, participants and a staff biologist guide will stand in the water as close as two feet away from the sharks. While most other shark encounters require scuba diving skills, Coral World's program requires no special skills or experience, making it accessible to the average person.
The adventure begins with an educational session out of the water. Participants learn about the different shark species found in the pool, their habits and behaviors. Next, participants climb into a demonstration pool where they don their masks, snorkels and weight belts (for stability) before entering the main enclosure. Accompanied by their guide, participants wade in four feet of clear water as juvenile nurse, lemon, and blacktip sharks swim freely around them. While in the water guests can also observe juvenile barracuda, lobsters and other marine life typical of a shallow reef environment. "This is a great opportunity to see marine life eye to eye," says Noah. Guests then return to the demonstration pool to pet one of the baby nurse sharks carefully handled by the guide. The whole experience is captured on camera for those who wish to take home a photo souvenir. (Otherwise, who would ever believe you actually swam with sharks!)
Despite their ferocious reputation, sharks have much more to fear from people than we do from them. According to Noah, "The chance of encountering a shark while in the water, let alone being attacked by one is very slight." He explains that the encounter program is safe for many reasons; Not only are the sharks accustomed to humans who clean inside the pool each day, they are also well fed, eating twice daily. On the other hand, humans have been putting increasing pressure on shark populations over the years. Sharks are killed for food and other products but also out of fear and for sport. The program at Coral World is designed to inspire respect for sharks.
The Coral World Shark Encounter program will be available to the public on a very limited schedule this week, with a grand opening on Saturday, March 11. The cost is $19.75 plus the Coral World park admission. It will be offered four times daily to groups of one to four people. "We have limited participation to no more than sixteen guests per day in order to ensure an intimate experience for the guests and a safe and healthy experience for the animals," says Noah. Participants must measure 4'6" tall.
Coral Restoration Projecttag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.402008-02-26T18:40:58Z2008-03-21T18:49:58ZCoral World is in the planning stages of a Coral Restoration Project. We intend to transplant fragments of porites coral first in the area of Coral World’s Undersea Observatory Tower and eventually at other sites around the Virgin Islands....kittyCoral World is in the planning stages of a Coral Restoration Project. We intend to transplant fragments of porites coral first in the area of Coral World’s Undersea Observatory Tower and eventually at other sites around the Virgin Islands. ]]>
porites colonies to add to colonies populating the submerged land leased by Coral World from the Government. The new colonies would be fragmented and cemented onto platforms within this coral “nursery.” Later, we would fragment these corals again to transplant them to multiple restoration sites. These sites would then be monitored by staff and volunteers.
Our hope is that we can engage local residents, especially school children, and visitors in the Coral Restoration Project.]]>
Mangrove Education and Restoration Programtag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.272008-02-26T11:46:41Z2008-03-21T18:50:50ZIn 1998, during the post-Hurricane Marilyn major renovation of Coral World, we created a man-made red mangrove lagoon with fewer than 50 small seedlings....In 1998, during the post-Hurricane Marilyn major renovation of Coral World, we created a man-made red mangrove lagoon with fewer than 50 small seedlings. ]]>
Southern Stingrays.
Our goal was to educate our visitors, both residents of the Virgin Islands and tourists, about the importance of mangroves to marine ecosystems. Many have been dredged because people have considered them swampy, foul smelling areas not worthy of protection. Mangroves, the backbone of the tropical ocean coastlines, are far more important to the global ocean's biosphere than previously thought.
The finger-like roots of mangrove plants protect coastal wetlands against the ocean. They protect shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves, and floods. Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems. They maintain water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land. Mangroves are essential to the growth of sea grasses and are important fish habitats. They are very valuable nurseries and breeding grounds for a wide variety of fish and invertebrates.
But mangrove foliage has declined by nearly 50% over the past several decades because of increasing coastal development and damage to its habitat. In Thailand, for example, the mangroves may be entirely gone in 70 years largely due to its shrimp fishing industry and coastal development for tourism.
Researchers have learned that mangroves, which cover less than 0.1 percent of the global land surface, provide more than 10 percent of essential dissolved organic carbon that is supplied to the global ocean from land. Dissolved organic matter is an important player in the global carbon cycle that regulates atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate.
As the habitat has changed, decreasing quantities of mangrove-derived detritus are available for formation and export of dissolved organic matter to the ocean. Researchers believe rapid mangrove destruction may have serious consequences for atmospheric composition and climate.
In addition to our efforts to educate our guests about the very important role of mangroves, Coral World’s marine operations staff has participated in mangrove restoration efforts with propagules from our man-made lagoon. Mangrove seeds or propagules are unusual in that they germinate while still on the tree, sprouting seedlings that grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long. The seedlings are cigar-shaped and heavier at the root end than at the leafy end. Upon falling, they tend to plant themselves in the mud below the parent tree.
Our staff planted mangrove seedlings along a section of Coral World’s shoreline on Water Bay with limited success because of the amount of boat traffic in the bay. A more successful cooperative effort took place in quieter waters on St. John. Coral World contributed hundreds of propagules and several staff to the project. Despite the hurdles, we will continue our efforts to restore the mangroves of the Virgin Islands.]]>
Shark Researchtag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.262008-02-26T11:45:47Z2008-03-21T18:53:01ZBy researching local shark populations it makes it possible to find out where they are moving, and in some cases how fast they are moving....By researching local shark populations it makes it possible to find out where they are moving, and in some cases how fast they are moving. ]]>
feedings at our Shark Shallows daily as well as Shark Encounters for those who want a closer look.
In addition, Coral World is assisting important scientific research by tagging all the captured sharks we release back into the wild and tagging various species of wild sharks of all size ranges to track their behavior and movements. We place a very small tag next to their dorsal before releasing the shark back into the sea. Sharks have a great immune system and heal quickly; thus the tag has little effect on the shark. Understanding the lifestyle of these apex predators provides information on the role of sharks in the health and diversity of the animals in the food chain below them. We share our research with the National Marine Fisheries Service, where there has been an ongoing study. Our tagging program is funded entirely by Coral World.
]]>
Sea Turtle Rehabilitationtag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.252008-02-26T11:45:01Z2008-03-21T18:54:08ZCoral World also serves as a rehabilitation center for injured or sick turtles and even struggling hatchlings that have not found their way out to sea and the safety of mats of Sargassum seaweed....Coral World also serves as a rehabilitation center for injured or sick turtles and even struggling hatchlings that have not found their way out to sea and the safety of mats of Sargassum seaweed.]]>
Turtle Talks and our Turtle Encounter Program, we educate our guests about the biology of turtles and the many threats to their existence. There is good evidence that hatchling turtles spend their “lost years” drifting with sargassum and other sea weeds. The lost years is a term commonly used to refer to the years between a turtle's hatching and its return to coastal waters as a juvenile. Although there have been sightings of hatchling-sized turtles adrift in sargassum and other sea grasses, no one has yet discovered where the majority of newly hatched turtles spend their childhood. We don’t even know for sure how long this period lasts, although estimates range from three to seven years.
Unfortunately, drifting garbage collects in the same places as the seaweed does. Garbage thrown into the ocean or allowed to find its way there through neglect is a serious threat to marine turtles. Young turtles inevitably attempt to eat some of this material, with devastating consequences. Plastic resembles food closely enough to fool even a mature turtle. Ingested plastic is toxic, obstructs the stomach and prevents the turtle from receiving nutrition from real food. This can often lead to a lingering death.
Artificial lighting from buildings, streetlights, and beachfront properties has a disorienting effect on hatchlings who find their way to the sea by the light reflected off the ocean. Even adult turtles can mistakenly move inland after egg laying, and females tend to avoid areas where beachfront lighting is most intense. Turtles also abort nesting attempts more often in lighted areas. So artificial lighting has had profound negative effects on nesting behavior and success. Coral World has worked with local hotels to ensure that their beachfront lighting is designed to avoid disorienting local sea turtles.
Unfortunately for sea turtles in many areas of the world including the West Indies, their eggs and their meat are still highly prized. Even though possession of sea turtles or sea turtle parts without a permit is illegal in the U.S., including the Virgin Islands, it is not illegal in the neighboring British Virgin Islands and some Virgin Islanders, both U.S. and British, still like to eat turtle meat. So poaching is still a problem. Not too long ago, Coral World was involved in the rescue of three very large sea turtles captured by poachers in the dark of night and offered testimony in the prosecution of one of the poachers. We were grateful the turtles were still alive when the authorities caught the poachers. We held the turtles until they were no longer needed as evidence and then released them into Water Bay.
Turtles throughout the world are also endangered by the continuing loss of nesting habitat. Research suggests that marine turtles have an extremely high affinity for their nesting beaches so the loss or reduction of even a single nesting beach can have serious effects. The most serious threat is caused by increased human presence on beaches, especially at night, which causes nesting females to try to shift their nesting sites, sometimes to less suitable beaches. Egg laying can be aborted or delayed as well.
Recreational use discourages nesting activity on beaches that have been used for millennia. The introduction of recreational equipment such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, small boats, and beach cycles, to name a few, can further reduce the usefulness of a beach for nesting, and can seriously damage or destroy any existing nests. Coral World has made an effort to educate vendors on and visitors to nearby Coki Beach about the importance of watching for nesting activity. When informed of nesting activity on Coki Beach, we have relocated nests to safer locations and assisted hatchlings to make their way to the sea.
Coral World staff members have assisted the Division of Fish and Wildlife with its turtle census and collaborated with other organizations like the West Indian Marine Animal Research and Conservation Service. ]]>
Diningtag:www.coralworldstthomas.com,2008://1.62008-02-26T11:26:36Z2008-03-21T18:54:46ZTake a break from the action at Coral World to refresh yourself or satisfy your hunger. Coral World offers two al fresco eateries....
Take a break from the action at Coral World to refresh yourself or satisfy your hunger. Coral World offers two al fresco eateries.
The Beach Café
Enjoy light fare under a magnificent banyan tree at this seaside café just outside the park gate. The beach café serves breakfast from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. so you can enjoy pancakes or an egg sandwich even before the park opens. Sandwiches, pizza, grilled burgers and hot dogs, sodas, ice cream, beer and specialty frozen drinks with or without alcohol are available generally until 4:00 p.m.
The Shark Bar
Inside the park adjacent to the Shark Shallows, under the shade of towering palm trees, enjoy fare from the grill, a variety of sandwiches and salads, chicken wings, pizza, great French fries, soft drinks, beer, and specialty frozen drinks with or without alcohol, including our signature Shark Bite. The Shark Bar is usually open until 4:00 p.m. ]]>
The stingray pup, measuring approximately 8 inches from wing tip to wing tip, is healthy and doing very well, according to Peter Noah, Coral World's Vice President of Operations. "We are feeding him shrimp, clams and small bits of fish and just giving this little guy a lot of special attention," he said. While it's still too early to determine the sex of the stingray, the pup has been named "Hatch" after a stingray character in the Sea Tails line of children's clothing which will soon be for sale in the Coral World gift shop.
Southern stingrays are found throughout the Caribbean in shallow coastal habitats with sandy bottoms. They graze on the sandy ocean floor feeding on crustaceans and mollusks which they uncover from the sand by flapping their wings. Like their shark cousins, stingrays hatch from egg capsules inside the mother's uterus and are born soon afterwards. An adult Southern stingray will grow as big as 80 inches and weigh 215 pounds. The Southern stingray is not aggressive towards humans, however, it may use its spine for defense if stepped on.
Coral World's marine animal hospital was designed to hold injured turtles, stranded marine mammals and other sea life in need of special care. "The hospital pool provided the ideal environment for the mother stingray to pup," said Noah. "This facility is not only a great asset to Coral World but also an incredible resource for the entire region," he said. "It is the only marine animal hospital of its kind in the Eastern Caribbean."
Visitors to Coral World can catch a glimpse of "Hatch" swimming and burrowing in the sand at the park's Touch Pool. Eventually he will be moved to the Stingray Lagoon exhibit with a group of other juvenile stingrays.]]>
Coral World is in the planning stages of a Coral Restoration Project. We intend to transplant fragments of porites coral first in the area of Coral World’s Undersea Observatory Tower and eventually at other sites around the Virgin Islands. ]]>
porites colonies to add to colonies populating the submerged land leased by Coral World from the Government. The new colonies would be fragmented and cemented onto platforms within this coral “nursery.” Later, we would fragment these corals again to transplant them to multiple restoration sites. These sites would then be monitored by staff and volunteers.
Our hope is that we can engage local residents, especially school children, and visitors in the Coral Restoration Project.]]>
In 1998, during the post-Hurricane Marilyn major renovation of Coral World, we created a man-made red mangrove lagoon with fewer than 50 small seedlings. ]]>
Southern Stingrays.
Our goal was to educate our visitors, both residents of the Virgin Islands and tourists, about the importance of mangroves to marine ecosystems. Many have been dredged because people have considered them swampy, foul smelling areas not worthy of protection. Mangroves, the backbone of the tropical ocean coastlines, are far more important to the global ocean's biosphere than previously thought.
The finger-like roots of mangrove plants protect coastal wetlands against the ocean. They protect shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves, and floods. Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems. They maintain water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land. Mangroves are essential to the growth of sea grasses and are important fish habitats. They are very valuable nurseries and breeding grounds for a wide variety of fish and invertebrates.
But mangrove foliage has declined by nearly 50% over the past several decades because of increasing coastal development and damage to its habitat. In Thailand, for example, the mangroves may be entirely gone in 70 years largely due to its shrimp fishing industry and coastal development for tourism.
Researchers have learned that mangroves, which cover less than 0.1 percent of the global land surface, provide more than 10 percent of essential dissolved organic carbon that is supplied to the global ocean from land. Dissolved organic matter is an important player in the global carbon cycle that regulates atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate.
As the habitat has changed, decreasing quantities of mangrove-derived detritus are available for formation and export of dissolved organic matter to the ocean. Researchers believe rapid mangrove destruction may have serious consequences for atmospheric composition and climate.
In addition to our efforts to educate our guests about the very important role of mangroves, Coral World’s marine operations staff has participated in mangrove restoration efforts with propagules from our man-made lagoon. Mangrove seeds or propagules are unusual in that they germinate while still on the tree, sprouting seedlings that grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long. The seedlings are cigar-shaped and heavier at the root end than at the leafy end. Upon falling, they tend to plant themselves in the mud below the parent tree.
Our staff planted mangrove seedlings along a section of Coral World’s shoreline on Water Bay with limited success because of the amount of boat traffic in the bay. A more successful cooperative effort took place in quieter waters on St. John. Coral World contributed hundreds of propagules and several staff to the project. Despite the hurdles, we will continue our efforts to restore the mangroves of the Virgin Islands.]]>
By researching local shark populations it makes it possible to find out where they are moving, and in some cases how fast they are moving. ]]>
feedings at our Shark Shallows daily as well as Shark Encounters for those who want a closer look.
In addition, Coral World is assisting important scientific research by tagging all the captured sharks we release back into the wild and tagging various species of wild sharks of all size ranges to track their behavior and movements. We place a very small tag next to their dorsal before releasing the shark back into the sea. Sharks have a great immune system and heal quickly; thus the tag has little effect on the shark. Understanding the lifestyle of these apex predators provides information on the role of sharks in the health and diversity of the animals in the food chain below them. We share our research with the National Marine Fisheries Service, where there has been an ongoing study. Our tagging program is funded entirely by Coral World.
]]>
Coral World also serves as a rehabilitation center for injured or sick turtles and even struggling hatchlings that have not found their way out to sea and the safety of mats of Sargassum seaweed.]]>
Turtle Talks and our Turtle Encounter Program, we educate our guests about the biology of turtles and the many threats to their existence. There is good evidence that hatchling turtles spend their “lost years” drifting with sargassum and other sea weeds. The lost years is a term commonly used to refer to the years between a turtle's hatching and its return to coastal waters as a juvenile. Although there have been sightings of hatchling-sized turtles adrift in sargassum and other sea grasses, no one has yet discovered where the majority of newly hatched turtles spend their childhood. We don’t even know for sure how long this period lasts, although estimates range from three to seven years.
Unfortunately, drifting garbage collects in the same places as the seaweed does. Garbage thrown into the ocean or allowed to find its way there through neglect is a serious threat to marine turtles. Young turtles inevitably attempt to eat some of this material, with devastating consequences. Plastic resembles food closely enough to fool even a mature turtle. Ingested plastic is toxic, obstructs the stomach and prevents the turtle from receiving nutrition from real food. This can often lead to a lingering death.
Artificial lighting from buildings, streetlights, and beachfront properties has a disorienting effect on hatchlings who find their way to the sea by the light reflected off the ocean. Even adult turtles can mistakenly move inland after egg laying, and females tend to avoid areas where beachfront lighting is most intense. Turtles also abort nesting attempts more often in lighted areas. So artificial lighting has had profound negative effects on nesting behavior and success. Coral World has worked with local hotels to ensure that their beachfront lighting is designed to avoid disorienting local sea turtles.
Unfortunately for sea turtles in many areas of the world including the West Indies, their eggs and their meat are still highly prized. Even though possession of sea turtles or sea turtle parts without a permit is illegal in the U.S., including the Virgin Islands, it is not illegal in the neighboring British Virgin Islands and some Virgin Islanders, both U.S. and British, still like to eat turtle meat. So poaching is still a problem. Not too long ago, Coral World was involved in the rescue of three very large sea turtles captured by poachers in the dark of night and offered testimony in the prosecution of one of the poachers. We were grateful the turtles were still alive when the authorities caught the poachers. We held the turtles until they were no longer needed as evidence and then released them into Water Bay.
Turtles throughout the world are also endangered by the continuing loss of nesting habitat. Research suggests that marine turtles have an extremely high affinity for their nesting beaches so the loss or reduction of even a single nesting beach can have serious effects. The most serious threat is caused by increased human presence on beaches, especially at night, which causes nesting females to try to shift their nesting sites, sometimes to less suitable beaches. Egg laying can be aborted or delayed as well.
Recreational use discourages nesting activity on beaches that have been used for millennia. The introduction of recreational equipment such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, small boats, and beach cycles, to name a few, can further reduce the usefulness of a beach for nesting, and can seriously damage or destroy any existing nests. Coral World has made an effort to educate vendors on and visitors to nearby Coki Beach about the importance of watching for nesting activity. When informed of nesting activity on Coki Beach, we have relocated nests to safer locations and assisted hatchlings to make their way to the sea.
Coral World staff members have assisted the Division of Fish and Wildlife with its turtle census and collaborated with other organizations like the West Indian Marine Animal Research and Conservation Service. ]]>