British Columbia, the home of the Vancouver Aquarium, is one of the few places in the world committed to preserving their natural environment. Not only has this been great news for the creatures that live in British Columbia, but has generated a fantastic amount of money for the people who live there, too. One of the most charming and unforgettable spots in British Columbia is the Vancouver Aquarium. Some people like to fly out to Seattle, Washington in America and then drive up to Vancouver instead of flying directly to Vancouver. Check with your favorite travel agent for all of your options.
The Orcas
The Orcas (killer whales) are the biggest attractions at the Vancouver Aquarium – literally and metaphorically! In 1996, in deference to scientific research and the concerns of animal rights groups, the Vancouver Aquarium stopped bringing in whales captured from the wild. The only whales they will exhibit in the future are captive-born whales or whales that just wouldn’t do well in the wild. In 2002, they returned a lost calf, Springer, found wandering the Pacific to the wild, where she successfully found a family pod.
In the meantime, being able to see and look in the eyes of such a massive animal can speak more about the importance of conservation than a thousand people could. You can see these impressive whales on a side of the tank, where you can walk partly around the tank. Orcas are native to British Columbia, and many call British Columbia waters their home.
Other Critters
Besides the unforgettable Orcas, the Vancouver Aquarium is also home to Pacific sea otters and white Beluga whales. You don’t even have to go to the aquarium to see them. Their website features “Beluga Cam” and “Sea Otter Cam”. Not only do they have the expected fish, sea turtles and crustaceans, but they also have reptiles, sea lions and owls. They also have impressively elegant jellyfish, starfish and squids.
Most of their animals, birds, reptiles and fish are donated to them. They also participate in international exchange programs with other aquariums and zoos to try and keep the captive breeding populations of any rare species healthy. This is a far different attitude than in the old days, when animals were taken from the wild just for the purpose of putting in a zoo or aquarium. The Vancouver Aquarium also does not purchase any fish captured in the wild by explosives or chemicals.
|
