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Aquariums and Zoos: Caring for Corals from A to Z

Zoos and aquariums are important partners in coral reef conservation. From education to disease response, these institutions support efforts by organizations like NOAA. Here are some of the ways zoos and aquariums are working with NOAA and the ocean-interested public.

Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center Network

The Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center Network is a group coordinated by NOAA’s Office of Education. The network includes aquariums and marine science centers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico that work together to teach the public about protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.

The Caribbean Reef exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium
The Caribbean Reef exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium

Many of these aquariums have extensive coral reef exhibits, such as the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, and even the Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver, British Columbia. These exhibits allow young and old alike from around the world to connect with coral reefs and become invested in protecting and conserving them.

Disease Response

Zoos and aquariums have been supportive of the response to stony coral tissue loss disease. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has joined the response efforts, and many facilities across the country are holding corals until they can be outplanted back onto the reef.

Rescued coral in their new home at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
Rescued coral in their new home at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.(Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute)

There are currently 1350 rescued corals being held at facilities across the country, including the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut, and the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. The facilities constantly share best practices since many of the coral species have never been kept in captivity before.

Aquarium Web Cameras

Zoos and aquariums are doing great work and are wonderful places to visit. Yet you don’t need to go to a zoo or museum to learn about coral reefs and other coastal and marine ecosystems. Many facilities have online resources, from educational tools to live web cameras.

The Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef Webcam at the Georgia Aquarium
The Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef Webcam at the Georgia Aquarium.

Here are some coral reef exhibits at aquariums that you can view in real time, wherever you are: