"More Wildlife at the Vancouver Aqaurium" Top 5 Page for this destination Vancouver Travelogue by jamiesno

This is a neat carving as you enter the Aqaurium, it reminds me of the Danger Bay television show that used to be on years ago.

Turtles

Are sea turtles endangered?

All sea turtle species are considered endangered or threatened in at least part of their ranges. Some of the problems facing sea turtles are:

The nesting habitat of all sea turtle species is being disturbed or destroyed by human action through urban development and recreational uses. Development also creates light pollution from beachfront properties which cause hatchling sea turtles to have difficulty finding their way to the ocean. They will travel towards the brightest lights rather than the sea.
Many sea turtles drown when they are caught in fishing nets and shrimp trawls.

Sea turtles are hunted for their meat, their eggs (both for food and as an aphrodisiac), and for calipee (cartilage found in the plastron or the shell on the underside of the turtle) which is used to make soup. Their shells are used for jewelry and other decorative items. Their skin is used to make leather, especially from the leatherback sea turtle.

Sea turtles will often mistake our garbage for food items. Plastics (leatherbacks often mistake the plastic for their main food item, jellies), rubber, fish-hooks, and other miscellaneous items can block and damage the sea turtle's digestive tract causing infections and starvation.

Source: www.vanaqua.org

A dolphin underwater.

Of all the attractions at the Vancouver Aqaurium the dolphins were amazing. They move so quickly and gracefully and easily through the water it is very impressive. I recommended the dolphin show in my tips.

Key facts (differ between species):

average life span: 10 to 50 years

gestation: 10 to 17 months

calving: can occur every 2 to 5 years, one calf at a time

size: "typical" dolphins are about two m long and weigh 100 kg
Source: www.vanaqua.org

Me with Crocodile in the background.

Here I am with a crocodile in the background. It was the first time for me seeing one up close. I was happy to be in a safe environment.

Maybe next I will try to graduate up to wrestling with them or something. Well maybe not?

Sea Otters

The sea otters were one of the more fun to watch. They were very playful with their toys and each other. They also seemed to be very affectionate with each other.

Did you know?

A sea otter’s skin never gets wet.
River otters, weasels, and badgers are sea otter relatives.

Sea otters dive frequently for food; a typical dive is 30 m deep and lasts 45-127 seconds.

Large complex kidneys make it possible for sea otters to drink salt water.

Predators include killer whales, sharks, and sea lions. Bald eagles prey on pups.

They are one of few tool-using mammals; sea otters use rocks to break open their food.

Source: www.vanaqua.org

Beluga Whale

The Belugas are simply majestic and massive whales. There is something very peaceful about watching the belugas. Enjoy!

Where do belugas live?

Belugas live in the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters of the world. The southernmost beluga population inhabits the St. Lawrence River estuary of Canada. It is a remnant population, separated from the other populations during the last Ice Age.

Source: www.vanaqua.org

Seal

I remember watching the seals and there was one very very large seal in the aquarium. For some reason I can't help but remember my St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador tips where their selling flippers at the waterfront.

Are harbour seal populations endangered?

The harbour seal is the most common of all the temperate-water seals.

Between 1913 and 1970, the combination of Department of Fisheries and Oceans' bounties and extensive hunting of the harbour seal for its pelt lowered seal populations dramatically.
Pacific harbour seal populations are approaching historical population records in B.C., with more than 127,000 individuals in B.C. waters based on the result of a 1998 aerial survey.

Source: www.vanaqua.org

Beluga Whale

Here is another great picture of a beluga whale. At the aquarium you can view the whales underwater or above water.

They come up very close to the glass and looking into their eyes really is amazing.