Last week, our veterinary technician, Erica Palmer, tried desperately to save a beautiful Magnificent frigatebird that was found stranded on-shore, weak and unable to fly. This young female received immediate emergency care and radiographs were obtained to assess for internal damage. Radiographs revealed a 3-pronged fish hook lodged in the bird’s esophagus, along with metal…
According to the local newspaper, much of the U.S. Virgin Islands territory shut down on November 8 due to severe thunderstorms that brought torrential flooding. The flooding was so severe that Government and schools closed throughout the territory. As seen from aerial photos and local video from around the islands, the rain event caused lots…
Recently, all five South American Sea Lions at Coral World had the opportunity to participate in a study conducted by the Marine Science Center in Rostock, Germany. The study helped to gather data on species-specific characteristics of Pinniped vibrissae. Vibrissae, otherwise known as whiskers, are extremely sensitive and work like receptors to pick up on…
Here at Coral World Ocean Park we use animal enrichment to help stimulate the animals that we care for and simulate real world situations for them to interact with. Melissa Sheffer, a former Coral World intern with the Aquarium Department, worked on a research project this past spring involving the four green sea turtles that…
Mira, a juvenile frigate seabird, was found March 7th on a St Thomas beach. Unable to fly, her right wing had been damaged and was dropping badly. The Coral World rescue team got the call and went out to assess the bird’s needs. They took her for X-rays that revealed no fracture, but a significant…
“Its physical therapy time in the rehab department! Mira is an adult female frigate bird that is recovering from a wing injury. Her wing was not broken, but the muscles and tendons take time to heal. After being bandaged for several weeks, Mira is now being encouraged to stretch her wings, and use them for…
Corals are colonies of tiny animals that live in warm, shallow waters. Over thousands of years, coral colonies grow and form coral reefs. However, the animals cannot do this alone. They need the help of zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae are single-celled algae that live in the coral’s tissues. They give corals their beautiful colors and, more importantly,…
Coral World 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. Each year, Coral World helps dozens of hatchlings reach a safer environment. When tiny hatchling turtles are washed ashore, people often contact…
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. For most people, the cry “Shark” puts fear into their hearts yet sharks have far more to fear from humans. Many shark species are under considerable risk of extinction with…