On Endangered Species Day, an international initiative to help save species from extinction and restore them to healthy sized populations in the wild was publicly announced to the world from Newport Aquarium.
The African penguin is one of three species identified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE program that Newport Aquarium is helping to save. (Photo from Facebook)
Standing in front of Newport Aquarium guests and elected officials at Shark Ray Bay theater, the executive director of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Kris Vehrs detailed a new campaign entitled SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction.
“By focusing the wild animal care, conservation, and science expertise of our 229 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and our conservation partners with the power of activating our 180 million annual visitors, we believe SAFE will be a game changer for global conservation,” said Vehrs.
Initially, SAFE will focus on 10 key species from a list of more than 100 that are facing serious threats and are critical to maintaining overall ecosystems. Newport Aquarium exhibits three of those species: African penguins, sharks and sea turtles.
Every year for at least the next decade, 10 species will be added to SAFE based on the most current science and the availability of resources.
Vehrs also announced the renewal of AZA accreditation to Newport Aquarium, which opened its doors 16 years ago to the day on May 15, 1999.
Sea turtles are one of three species at Newport Aquarium that are now part of the SAFE program. (Photo from Newport Aquarium
“Newport Aquarium is passionate about caring for and sharing the amazing aquatic world with our guests,” said Eric Rose, executive director of Newport Aquarium. “We couldn’t be prouder to serve as a host site for the AZA to launch the SAFE program and to receive our renewed AZA accreditation on both Endangered Species Day and our 16-year anniversary.”
Newport Aquarium will be raising awareness for the SAFE program and recognizing Endangered Species Day all weekend long, May 15 – 17, with special programming geared toward educating guests about the everyday actions they can take to help with animal conservation.
For more information on Newport Aquarium, click here or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).
From Newport Aquarium
