Endangered and threatened species along Texas’s Gulf Coast have gained a new ally in the Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue. On March 2, the Texas State Aquarium hosted a Grand Opening event for the center. The 26,000-square-foot facility is the state’s largest rescue center and ranks among the largest rescue centers in the United States.
The opening event celebrated a major step in the state’s wildlife conservation efforts. As Jesse Gilbert, Texas State Aquarium President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The new center’s mission is conserving wildlife and developing science advocates to build a resilient Texas Gulf Coast. This is an incredible place where you can come and have a great experience with your family while also experiencing first-hand the phenomenal science and conservation efforts happening here in Texas.”
State-of-the-art veterinary medical equipment, an emergency operations center, and Texas’s only CAT scan used specifically for wildlife will aid the center’s team as it works to support animals. Visitors can explore the center for free to watch as professional treat and care for animals in need.
What exactly can visitors expect to see at the center? As Gilbert explained in an interview with Texas Public Radio, “if a turtle comes in and it’s been hit by a boat, you could watch the veterinarians do X-rays and CT scans. You could watch a surgery happen live. There’s windows into all the different treatment areas, the surgery areas. And you can literally come back and continue to watch that turtle’s recovery and rehabilitation up until the point it’s released.”
This immersive experience sits adjacent to the Texas State Aquarium and replaces the facilities previously located on Rincon Road. Former Texas State Aquarium Chairman and current Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman Charles Zahn Jr. says the center represents 30 years of dedication to conservation work.
Images via the Texas State Aquarium