BIAZA Newsletter | Winter 2017 | Issue 13

Heritage and community Galway Atlantaquaria has developed many close

relationships with community groups including the Civic Trust, Seal Rescue Ireland, Sea Search, IWDG, Seal Sanctuary, Clean Coasts and many others. In 2016 we participated in free talks, beach safaris and beach cleans, helping to promote local heritage, social engagement and civic responsibility. We hosted community education events, including Sea Search Ireland observers course, and seal stranding training with Seal Rescue Ireland. We were delighted to show the first screening in the west of Ireland of the documentary ‘River Runner: The River Lee and Wild Atlantic Salmon’ documentary and host INFOMAR talks at our World Oceans Day event. Galway Atlantaquaria has also piloted a new ‘Seabirds of Galway’ birdwatching exhibit and event which was carried out in collaboration with Bird Watch Ireland. Highlights of the year This year Galway Atlantaquaria welcomed a new visitor to the Aquarium. In January, following a call from Seal Rescue Ireland, we took over the care of Eva the loggerhead turtle. She had been washed ashore during one of the many winter storms to hit the Irish coast. Eva was in a state of cold shock and in serious danger of death. Initial inspection upon arrival showed she was underweight, lethargic and suffering from infections with carapace and skin damage. Galway Atlantaquaria staff with the assistance of Dr Rita Gately developed a programme of rehabilitation for the turtle. This programme included intensive care for the first few weeks, with a slow and steady temperature increase to warm the turtle back to normal, along with the administering of required medication and the introduction of food. The aquarium staff showed a great determination to save Eva, with care taking place during the night if required (special thanks to Joanne Casserly and Ian O’Grady). With the turtle out of immediate danger and responding well to the care, a programme of continued treatment and regular

health assessment could begin and finally the sourcing of suitable release options. Following months of hard work, Eva was successfully released back to the ocean in September, with the assistance of The Irish Defence Forces, and the crew of the LÉ Samuel Beckett. This story gained huge public interest and was picked up by local and national news networks and the full story can be viewed on our YouTube channel. This is the second successful turtle rehabilitation the aquarium has achieved in recent years and is something we expect to be involved with again in the future. Special thanks to Seal Rescue Ireland for their initial care, Dr Rita Gately for her continued support and the This year Galway Atlantaquaria developed a children’s play zone for Love Your Zoo week during which we ran a number of interactive art and crafts workshops. Our focus was turtles and cephalopods and proved to be very popular. As a result we will develop this fun initiative further in the future. Galway Atlantaquaria has a number of exciting projects and exhibitions planned for 2017 and we would like to welcome you all to our collection should you visit Galway. In the meantime if you would like to find out more you can visit our crew of the LÉ Samuel Beckett. BIAZA Love Your Zoo week

website www.nationalaquarium.ie or follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).

7 BIAZA News • Winter issue 13