Mystic Aquarium, located nearby the downtown Mystic, CT area full of local craft items and delicacies, is dedicated to educating the public about the animals they’ve been rescuing since 1975. Through a beluga feeding program, multiple touch tanks, and an ever-changing sea lion show, the aquarium hopes it can help people understand more about the marine life they may never get to see without a visit to Mystic, or other such establishments.
“Mystic Aquarium’s overall mission is to inspire others to care for and protect the ocean planet through conservation, education, and research. We strive to inspire our community to help conserve and protect natural resources and habitats through area cleanups, living plastic-free, and supporting our efforts in conserving wild populations,” said Lindsey Nelson, the Senior Trainer of Cetaceans and Pinnipeds.
Over 100,000 students visit the aquarium each year, taking part in tours and educational programs. But a lot of their work is done behind the scenes as well. The staff conducts research with the goal of finding solutions to the ocean’s problems.
For over 40 years, Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and then releasing sick, injured, and stranded marine animals. They serve 1,000 miles along the Northeastern coastline, which lines Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Fishers Island, New York. The team responds to an average of 150 hotline calls per year.
Trainer bonding with sea lion at the aquarium.
“We have a variety of rescued animals in our care, many of which have stories that inspire our guests every day,” said Nelson. For example, there’s Coral. “Coral is a harbor seal that had one of her rear flippers amputated due to infection.” Then there’s Ziggy, who is a Northern fur seal with a neurological condition that affects her vision. Nelson continues: “Astro is a Stellar sea lion who stranded himself multiple times. Charlotte, a Green sea turtle that was believed to be struck by a boat’s propeller and now swims ‘bottom up’ due to the injury.” The list can go on, but these brave, strong creatures are living examples of how sea animals need our help.
These are all animals that wouldn’t have survived had they not become “protected ambassadors” at the Mystic Aquarium. From fish and seals to snakes and other reptiles, the animals at the aquarium are not only safe now, but their stories help Mystic understand ocean life and threats to ocean life in their search for solutions.
For guests, seeing these animals in person - as well as hearing, touching, and smelling them - brings their stories to life. It helps people understand the ocean and its creatures in a whole new way.
One of the most notable ways people are introduced to Mystic’s animals is the Sea Lion Show. Since 2001, the aquarium features a few different sea lion shows each year, performing them daily with their California Sea Lions.
Assistant Supervisor of California Sea Lions, Kristen Waddell, was quick to note that the sea lions don’t do tricks, per se. Instead, they show the audience their natural talents. They will show off how fast they can swim, or how high they can jump. But they will also shake their flippers, and do flipper stands, to show off their upper-body strength, and intelligence.
Waddell told the story of Sakari, who is currently participating in “innovative training.” Sakari is presented with a hand signal. She may respond however she wants, but she cannot use the same response twice during the same session. Waddell noted how innovative Sakari has become, even making up her own responses by combining them in an effort to not repeat past ones.
Through the training, the sea lions bond with their trainers. This allows each animal to participate in its own health care, explained Waddell. The sea lions will allow the trainers to examine their body, brush their teeth, and offer them eye drops.
All of the California Sea Lions were rescued. The most recent addition, Dash, was abandoned by his mother and was being hand-raised by a stranding facility in California. He’s been at the Mystic Aquarium for four months now, after being deemed non-releasable.
According to Nelson, there is a standard “acclimation process” for each animal in their care. The rescued sea life must first go through a quarantine period. During this time, the aquarium’s veterinary team can ensure the animal ambassador is healthy. Trainers will also become acquainted with the animal at this time, developing a trust relationship, she said.
“Training marine mammals through positive reinforcement, like we do with the beluga whales in our care, is such a rewarding experience,” Nelson informed The Buzz. “Being able to build trusting relationships with the animals every day allows for important behaviors to be trained that allow us to care for the whales, and help contribute to the conservation of the species.”
While seeing a beluga that loves entertaining the crowd is reason enough to visit the aquarium, Mystic also offers a variety of other unique experiences to bring guests closer to aquatic life. There are hands-on experiences with sharks, rays, and crustaceans. There is also a penguin exhibit outside the main building where guests can watch them swim through underwater glass. There are also opportunities to meet the belugas through various programs, getting to see all they’ve learned up close.
“Working at Mystic is a dream come true, and is so special to me,” said Nelson. “I grew up being inspired by ocean life, so being able to come to an aquarium allowed me to get up close with the animals I aspired to protect through my work one day.”