The Shadow
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (VR) – On Tuesday night, Aquarium staff on scene worked with first responders to safely remove all five sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation from the building. In the days since, all fish and invertebrates have also been transferred out of the DMACC. Unfortunately, some invertebrates were lost the night of the fire. A stranded Kemp’s ridley sea turtle undergoing rehabilitation, that was compromised prior to the fire, died days later. A necropsy was conducted and indicated that the animal died as a result of the original injuries and illness. However, additional testing is pending to rule out smoke exposure as a contributing factor. While any loss is difficult, the number of animals lost was limited and the situation was contained thanks to the response of emergency personnel and Aquarium staff. All animals from the DMACC continue to be monitored closely by our veterinary and animal care teams.”
Assessment and recovery efforts are underway and ongoing at the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center. Virtually every space and system are affected by smoke damage or contamination. The assessment and remediation process will determine what can be restored or what will be considered a total loss. The animals and staff from the DMACC are currently displaced, and the duration of their displacement remains unknown. The immediate priority is restoring the sea turtle rehabilitation systems and treatment area. Until those systems are operational, the care of current stranded patients is being managed under temporary conditions at the Aquarium’s main vet center.
“Through all of this, I could not be prouder of our team,” said Whitbred-Spanoulis. “Staff responded immediately to protect our animals, stabilize operations, and begin the recovery process.”
“We are very grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to protect our facility, and our staff who guided the safe recovery and continued care of our animals and animal systems,” said Aquarium CEO Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis. “The team is tired, but they remain completely focused on animal welfare and getting this critical facility operational again.”
The Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center is the headquarters for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, as well as the Virginia Aquarium’s acquisition and quarantine facility.
At this time, the Virginia Aquarium doesn’t need supplies or donated items from the public. Monetary donations made to the Virginia Aquarium Foundation directly support the Stranding Response Program’s operations. The Foundation provides critical funding for the Program.
