spring 2014 - Tennessee Aquarium

T E N N E S S E E
A Q U A R I U M
RIVERWATCH
L E A D I N G
T H E
W A Y
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F R E S H W A T E R
C O N S E R V A T I O N
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM • SUM MER 2014
IN THIS ISSUE:
6 MONITORING WATER QUALITY
8 SUMMER EVENTS & TRAVEL
10 NEW TENNESSEE AQUARIUM APP
11 COMING TO IMAX: GALAPAGOS 3D
12 EPAULETTE SHARK PUPS
They’re back and it’s a pool party
you won’t want to miss! Wild About
Otters Member Night on May 2nd
RIVER JOURNEY
TODD STAILEY
SHOWTIME! OTTERS
TAKE CENTER STAGE
COVER PHOTO BY TODD STAILEY
Guests who enjoyed watching the playful antics of the Aquarium’s North
American River Otters are going to fall in love all over again with these
furry-faced creatures when the Cove Forest reopens on May 2nd.
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“Otters are charismatic, athletic and
feisty,” said Jackson Andrews, the
Aquarium’s director of husbandry and
operations. “This new habitat is more
spacious and provides everything needed to bring out the otter’s natural
behaviors. As a result, visitors will enjoy
expanded viewing of these charismatic
animals and be drawn into their world.”
For more than 20 years, the Cove
Forest has set the stage for the rest of
the Aquarium experience. The immersive journey of walking through a slice
of the Great Smoky Mountains is
enhanced by a series of smaller exhibits
working in concert to place guests into
one of the greatest stories on earth—
following a single drop of rain from the
mountains to the sea while discovering
how water connects us to the rest of
the natural world. “We might have
been among the first aquariums to place
so much emphasis on revealing the
many aspects of one North American
ecosystem,” said Dave Collins the
Aquarium’s curator of forests. “The
native plants, songbirds, reptiles, fish
and otters help people fully appreciate
the beauty and intrinsic value of this
habitat. But we’ve felt that there has
been a real opportunity to expand that
message with a more dramatic otter
exhibit and the ability to emphasize the
Aquarium’s conservation work.”
Shortly after Labor Day, the Cove
Forest was closed for one of the most
impressive gallery makeovers in
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Aquarium history. Work began right
after the birds, otters and fish moved
out. Construction crews jack-hammered
and removed 300 tons of rockwork.
That’s a big number, especially when
you consider no bulldozers were
involved. “It all had to be cut up small
enough to fit into a wheelbarrow and
taken out of the building via the freight
elevator,” said Andrews.
When the demolition phase was
completed around Thanksgiving, an
even more impressive construction
phase began. Billed as “Three Times
the Otters, Three Times the View,”
the new exhibit can be thought of as
having three components: a home, a
fenced yard and the view from the
neighborhood.
HOME SWEET HOME
The otters have a specially designed
home that offers comfortable surroundings. “Each individual space is perfectly
designed for resting,” said Kevin
Calhoon, the Aquarium’s assistant
curator of forests. “So when it’s show
time, one group of otters will go from
this ‘green room’ to being onstage right
after the other group is called backstage.”
The keepers spent months working
on introductions while the otters were
living at the Chattanooga Arboretum &
Nature Center. They used stringent
protocols to let each individual otter
meet and get to know one another. It’s
a slow, conservative process that begins
by allowing a pair to live side by side
but remain separated by a fence.
“Eventually you introduce them within
a common space that has open doors in
case either animal would like to retreat
back into their own home,” said
Collins. “Some, like Delmar and one of
the other young males became buddies
right away. Others tussled a bit, just as
they would in nature to establish dominance. But now we are able to have
different groups together at one time.
So we could have two, three, four or
more otters on exhibit at any one time.”
This leads to a high level of activity
as the otters play and explore their
surroundings.
THE OTTERS’ BACKYARD
Each time the otters are on exhibit,
they’ll have plenty to explore. Otter
experts from across the country were
called upon to help create a complex
Want to learn how you can ensure that the exhibits and conservation programs you love most can have a lasting impact in the future? Request a free
Watershed Society brochure: (423) 785-4038 or [email protected].
PHO
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TODD STAILEY
habitat that is also visually appealing.
Some of the features will be obvious to
visitors – tiered landscape, waterfalls
and areas where the ground is different.
“Otters spend a lot of time digging and
grooming,” said Calhoon. “So we’ll
have different substrate materials that
the otters can scent mark, search for
hidden treats and roll around in.”
Other features, such as the design of
the otter pool may be more subtle for
guests to perceive. “The complexity of
the new pool includes narrow channels,
bigger openings and both shallow
and deeper sections,” said Collins.
“Because otters are terrestrial animals,
they should spend a lot of time
scampering along the length of this
stream. They’ll also pop in and out of
the water frequently.”
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The otters can explore behind two
waterfalls and along the length of a
cascading stream. One waterfall can be
adjusted from a trickle to a full flow of
water. Changing the volume enhances
the exhibit’s variability and is one of
several ways their new backyard will
be enriching for the otters.
THREE TIMES THE VIEW
Not only will guests have more space
to observe the otter action, the design
helps draw visitors into the otters’
world. “There will be very good
underwater viewing of them,” said
Collins. “You’ll be able to see the
otter’s agile swimming moves along the
length of the stream. You’ll also see
them plunging into, and scrambling
out of, the water.”
Snack stations are also built into the
exhibit which allows keepers to place
surprise treats at random times to keep
things lively for guests and interesting
for the otters. 
— SAVE THE DATE —
FRIDAY, MAY 2ND
Register online for
Wild About Otters Member Night!
Visit: tnaqua.org/Events
PHO
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CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORIES
NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTERS
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA),
North American River Otters disappeared from Middle and East
Tennessee by 1958. Over-trapping led to the demise of these
charismatic mammals. For nearly 30 years, only a few sightings
were reported in West Tennessee and otters were listed as an
endangered species in the state.
When Bruce Anderson was hired by TWRA as an
endangered species biologist in 1982, he had no idea how
much restoration work lay ahead of him. Anderson was
involved in reintroducing bald eagles, golden eagles, osprey,
fishers and otters to Tennessee. His first project in 1984, otter
restoration, has a special place in his heart. “We got the first six
otters from Louisiana,” said Anderson. “They had radio telemetry
devices embedded under their skin so we could track their
movements and learn from them.”
The first otters were released in the Obed River, a
designated Wild and Scenic River which runs from Cumberland
County to Morgan County and is a tributary of the Tennessee.
During the first year of data collection, Anderson made discoveries that helped to “rewrite the book” on otters. “We learned
that they covered 40 river miles, sometimes moving 15 to 16
miles in a couple of days,” said Anderson. “Unless they had
young, they liked each other’s company and tended to move
around together. That was new knowledge. All of the literature
previously said that otters were solitary creatures, but we found
out they are pretty social.”
Anderson, now retired, worked to reintroduce otters within
the state’s medium-sized rivers from 1984 to 1993. Since then,
otters have taken up residence in reservoirs and large rivers like
the Tennessee. Seeing them out and about today brings back
fond memories for Anderson, who says each release was
special. “Every time you opened the door and let them out, it
was a never-ending source of joy and fascination. But the best
day was the day we were able to de-list them in 1999.”
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN
BROOK TROUT
The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation
Institute (TNACI) has been working with
several partners to restore Southern
Appalachian Brook Trout (SABT). These
colorful trout were once abundant in
the mountain headwaters of East
Tennessee, but are currently down to
just three percent of their historical
range. Logging activities in cove forests
wiped out large portions of the habitat
needed for this fish. Other species, like
Rainbow Trout, a non-native species
that can withstand warmer water and
more direct sunlight, soon began
outcompeting SABT, which is
Tennessee’s only native trout.
TNACI scientists were able to
collect brood stock from a mountain
cove stream and reproduce these fish
in a closed-circulation system for the
first time. More than 250 offspring were
later returned to the same stream and
are being monitored to measure the
success of this initial effort.
Pioneering these techniques is part
of a long-term effort to preserve this
species as environmental pressures
increase. With continued support,
TNACI will continue working with
partner agencies to expand this
program with the goal of establishing
robust populations of these gorgeous
fish throughout the region.
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C O N S E R VAT I O N I N AC T I O N
MONITORING WATER
QUALITY ABOARD THE RGE
BY DANIEL LAWRENCE, TENNESSEE AQUARIUM NATURALIST
The Tennessee River, one of the nation’s longest, flows along a 652-mile
long journey from its beginning near Knoxville Tennessee, south to
Alabama, and then north to Kentucky before joining the Ohio River at
Paducah. The Tennessee River is one of the most biologically diverse river
systems in the United States for aquatic organisms, particularly for its fish
and mussel diversity.
wider and deeper than it originally
would have been. With so many varied
uses for the river, it is imperative that
we monitor and ensure the health of
our water resources.
The Tennessee Aquarium is helping
by monitoring the health of our watershed with new equipment recently
installed aboard the River Gorge
Explorer. A sonde, a device that records
various characteristics of the water at
regular intervals, now measures the
temperature, pH, nitrate concentration
and dissolved oxygen content of the
river every six hours.
WHY MEASURE TEMPERATURE?
The temperature of the river is impor-
tant because it affects what organisms
can live there. Many organisms use the
temperature of the water as a calendar
that tells them when to lay eggs, mate,
or migrate. Temperature also affects the
chemistry of the water. Cooler water is
able to hold more dissolved oxygen
than warm water, and cooler water also
results in a slower rate of photosynthesis
in algae and aquatic plants.
The temperature of the river varies
naturally throughout the year, but it is
important to check on the temperature
to make sure we aren’t influencing it.
Constructing dams along the river,
using river water to cool industrial processes and power plants, and cutting
down trees that provide shade to creeks
KAREN ESTES
In addition to many fish and mollusks,
the river also provides habitat and
food for many other species, such as
Great Blue Herons, Osprey, Bald
Eagles, Basking Turtles, Ducks and
River Otters.
Approximately nine million people
rely on the Tennessee River as a source
of drinking water, irrigation water for
farmland and electrical power. The river
is equally essential to many recreational
activities, industrial operations and
commercial transportation. The river
has been modified heavily to allow for
safer and easier use of the river, power
generation and flood control.
Nine dams currently exist along the
Tennessee, causing the river to be much
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and streams are some ways that humans
may change the temperature of the river.
WHY MEASURE pH?
You may have heard that the formula
for water is H2O, but there are actually
lots of things in our water! pH is a
measurement of free hydrogen ions
(H+), relative to the number of hydroxyl ions (OH-) present in a sample. The
pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. At a pH
of 7, there are an equal number of H+
and OH- ions, so this solution would
be considered neutral because the two
ions cancel each other out. If there is
more H+ than OH-, a sample is said to
be acidic (pH of less than 7). If a sample contains more OH- than H+, it is
said to be alkaline or basic (pH greater
than 7).
In lakes and rivers, pH typically
ranges from 6.5-8.5. The pH of the
water affects how well chemicals dissolve
in water, and the effect these chemicals
will have on organisms living in the
water. A pH that is too low or too high
can be dangerous to aquatic life.
WHY MEASURE NITRATES?
Nitrate (NO3-) is a nutrient. Just like
nutrients in our food, a healthy amount
of nitrate is essential to plants and animals. Too much nitrate, however, can
actually be harmful to organisms that
live in the water. Because nitrate is a
nutrient used in plant growth, too
much nitrate can result in an overabundance of aquatic plants and algae,
which may block light from entering
the water, deprive areas of dissolved
oxygen through the decomposition of
plant matter, and decrease the abundance and diversity of aquatic species.
Humans can affect the amount of
nitrate in our water in several ways.
Nitrate is found in fertilizers, and runoff
from agricultural areas frequently carries
nitrates and other nutrients into lakes,
rivers, and streams. Faulty septic tank
systems and effluent from wastewater
treatment plants are other potential
source of nitrates. Nitrate is measured in
milligrams per liter (mg/L), and a value
of less than 1 mg/L is usually considered
to be healthy.
The River Gorge Explorer
is presented by:
WHY MEASURE DISSOLVED
OXYGEN?
Just like humans, aquatic organisms
need oxygen to breathe. Measuring for
dissolved oxygen (DO) tells us the
amount of oxygen that is in the water
and available to aquatic life.
Oxygen is added to the river in several ways. At the surface, the amount of
oxygen in the air and the amount in the
water will reach a natural equilibrium.
This equilibrium can be sped up by
aeration of the water — which is
common around man-made dams, fast
moving mountainous streams and
waterfalls. In addition, aquatic plants
add oxygen to the water during photosynthesis. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the river changes during the year,
as warmer water is capable of holding
less than colder water, and processes
such as photosynthesis increase and
decrease seasonally.
Humans may negatively impact the
amount of dissolved oxygen in many
ways, such as increasing river depth
with dams, changing the route of creeks
and rivers by channelization, or by the
addition of pollutants to the river that
affect aquatic plants and animals.
Dissolved oxygen is measured in mg/L.
Although the amount of oxygen varies
throughout the year, a reading of 4–10
mg/L is generally considered to be
healthy; the amount can be even higher
in the winter months.
By sampling the river for extended
periods of time, it is possible to identify
trends in water quality that can be tied
to other conditions in the environment.
Changing temperatures, precipitation,
changes in river flow, etc. all contribute
to the data recorded aboard the River
Gorge Explorer. By hypothesizing
possible reasons for changes in our data,
we may be able to better understand
the ecology of the river and improve
our ability to be good stewards of our
natural resources. 
Water quality data recorded aboard the River Gorge Explorer
is available on the Aquarium’s website at: http://bit.ly/tnaqwq
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SUMMER EVENTS
Register online & discover newly-added events at:
TNAQUA.ORG/EVENTS
OR CALL 423-267-FISH (3474)
All events are held on Eastern Time. Full event details, including Non-Member
pricing, are available at tnaqua.org/events. There’s plenty of fun every day at the
Tennessee Aquarium. Before your next visit, check the list of FREE PROGRAMS
(with your membership or paid admission) to make the most of your day of aquatic
adventure: tnaqua.org/RangerRicksBackyardSafari.
JOHN BAMBER
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— SAVE THE DATE —
FRIDAY, MAY 2ND
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
DO WE HAVE YOUR
CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS?
If you would like to stay on top of
the latest Aquarium news, get
notifications of new events and electronic renewal reminders, visit us at
community.tnaqua.org to create
your online profile. After signing up,
you’ll be able to update your address,
access your giving history, review
your membership’s expiration date
or sign up for e-newsletters.
PHOTO MEMBERSHIP CARDS
If you don’t already have your photo
membership card, stop by the River
Journey Members’ Entrance to have
your new card made on your next
visit. Bring in your old membership
card without the photo and we will
recycle it for you.
FOLLOW US ON
FACEBOOK & TWITTER
The Aquarium’s North American River
Otters have taken center stage in the Cove
Forest. Learn what it takes to keep pace with
these feisty mammals while enjoying a
savory breakfast. Our experts will share
their “Otter 101” knowledge in Ranger Rick’s
Backyard Safari. Afterwards, take part in a
fun game and tour of the Cove Forest for a
special demonstration. Includes breakfast,
program and activities.
All ages • Limited to 100 • $15/Member
TODD STAILEY
Register online for
Wild About Otters Member Night!
Visit: tnaqua.org/Events
Breakfast with the Otters
Saturday • 8:30-10AM
JUNE
BBQ & Bluegrass
Father’s Day Cruise
Sunday • 4:30-6:30PM
15
Celebrate with your father or grandfather
on this commemorative Father’s Day cruise!
Enjoy the scintillating music of Bluegrass
picker Lon Eldridge who will add to the fun
with original and traditional Americana
standards. After an exciting voyage down
river, we’ll slow down so you can enjoy
nature outside on the top deck. Munch on
Big River Grille’s BBQ pork sliders, chips
and dessert. Cash bar with wine, beer, soft
drinks and snacks available during the
cruise. Coupons and other discounts are not
valid for this cruise. Presented by First
Tennessee.
All ages • Limited to 68
Members: $33/Adult; $27/Child (age 0-12)
Family Flower & Fern Walk
at Tennessee River Gardens
Sunday • 1:30-4PM
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Don’t miss this opportunity for a great family outing! Spend a summer afternoon at a
spectacular gated wildflower garden and
wildlife preserve in the heart of the
Tennessee River Gorge. The Tennessee
River Gardens and Nature Preserve offers a
tranquil wildflower experience with more
than 100 species of flora along trails,
streams, ponds and waterfalls. In addition to
a new display of fern varieties, this botanically rich and wonderful paradise attracts
butterflies and native wildlife. You’ll be able
to take home a flowering plant to attract
these winged-marvels to your own yard!
All ages • Limited to 25 • $5/Person
Keep up with our daily postings — you
can even join in the conversations!
Official sponsor of the
Tennessee Aquarium
Membership Program.
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Enjoy a meal at Big River Grille or BlueWater Grille before or
after your Aquarium event. Present your Tennessee Aquarium
membership card when you order to receive a discount.
JULY
TRAVEL ADVENTURES
Sustainable Seafood Dinner
at St. John’s Restaurant
Thursday • 6:30-8:30PM
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TNACI director Anna George leads this
10-day expedition aboard the new riverboat La Estrella Amazonica October 10-19,
2014. Navigate more than 500 miles into
pristine tributaries. Excellent wildlife
viewing, rainforest walks and visits to
local villages are included in this trip of a
lifetime. Optional Machu Picchu post trip
extension available Oct. 19-25.
STOCK PHOTO
St. John’s Restaurant graciously offers quality, ambiance and attention to detail.
Reflecting seasonal and local flavor, Chef
Daniel Lindley will showcase his culinary
talent with an off-the-menu coursed dinner
in support of our Serve & Protect initiative.
Sustainable seafood as well as the region’s
bountiful summer harvest will highlight a
four-course menu paired with select wines.
Come prepared for a dining experience
worthy of celebration.
Adults • Limited to 35 • $50/Member
Amazon Riverboat Voyage: The
Greatest Voyage in Natural History
October 10-19, 2014
For pricing and additional information,
send all inquires to: [email protected].
America’s Birthday Cruise
Thursday • 7-9PM
Celebrate America’s birthday on one of our
country’s great rivers! Our exciting catamaran will whisk you into the heart of the
“Grand Canyon of Tennessee.” From turtles
to osprey, an Aquarium Naturalist will talk
about the All-American animals found on
the river with a special close-up critter
encounter! Deep in the river gorge, step
outside onto viewing decks and into the
scenic panorama as the sun begins its
descent. Continue the adventure by watching the Pops on the River fireworks show at
Ross’s Landing or on the Aquarium “patio”
with complimentary 3-D glasses and a
snack pack. Cash bar with wine, beer, soft
drinks and snacks are available during the
cruise. Coupons and other discounts are not
valid for this cruise. Presented by Tennessee
American Water.
All ages • Limited to 68
Members: $28/Adult; $22/Child (age 0-12)
Mark your calendar for July
24 24 ! Author Janisse Ray
th
Best-selling author Janisse Ray will visit
Chattanooga to speak on the importance of preserving heirloom plants
and protecting the small farm. Ray is an
environmental activist who has penned
four books of literary nonfiction and a
collection of nature poetry. Her latest
book, The Seed Underground, has won
the 2013 Nautilus Gold Book Award
Better Books for a Better World in the
Green Living category, among many
other awards. Stay up-to-date with this
event by visiting The Tennessee Valley
Chapter of Wild Ones online at
tennesseevalley.wildones.org.
AUGUST
1
SharkFest!
Friday • 6-8:30PM
Gather your chums for an evening of
shark-tacular fun at Ocean Journey. Get a
tough-lookin’ shark tattoo. Transform yourself with a FIN-tastic hairdo. Dare to enter
our diver’s shark cage to have your picture
made with a Great White. And that’s not
all! The Travelin’ Shark Show is back in
town with bizarre museum specimens for
all to marvel. Amaze yourself with displays
of prehistoric shark teeth. Feast on shark
facts during special dive shows. Enjoy ice
cream from Cold Stone Creamery at the
end of your adventure with awesome
shark-tivities for all. Check-in at the Ticketing
Center on the Plaza.
All ages • MEMBERS: FREE • Non-member
guests: $1450/Adult, $950/Child (age 3-12)
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Rain Barrel Workshop
Saturday • 10AM-Noon
Convert an empty Coca-Cola syrup drum
into a working rain barrel with experts from
Ace Hardware. Go Green and collect water
from gutters for outside use, especially
during periods of drought. Presented by
Ace & Coca Cola.
Adults • Limited to 20 • $25/Member
SLEEP IN THE DEEP:
Family Sleepover
Friday, 5:30PM-Saturday, 8:30AM
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Ever wonder what it would be like to sleep
under the peaks alongside sharks, stingrays,
and more? Join us for an overnight adventure complete with a guided tour of both
Aquarium buildings, an IMAX® film and
pizza dinner. Go behind-the-scenes with an
Aquarium expert to get some idea of what
it takes to care for more than 10,000 animals. Just when your eyes can’t stay open
any longer, we’ll bed down alongside our
largest exhibit.
Families with children AGE 6 & OLDER
accompanied by an adult • Limited to 40
$60/Member • Souvenir Patch: Add $3.50
TVA History Cruise: “Lock
24 Through Chickamauga Dam
Sunday • 3:30-6:30PM
Join Matt Emmons, Corps of Engineers and
Chickamauga Lockmaster, on a unique trip
through the historic lock at Chickamauga
Dam. Learn more about the history of TVA
and modern commercial operations on the
Tennessee River. See the new lock currently
under construction with some first-rate bird
watching along the way. Cash bar with
wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks available
during the cruise. Coupons and other discounts are not valid for this cruise. Presented
by First Tennessee.
All ages • Limited to 68
Members: $24/Adult; $18/Child (age 0-12)
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T E N N E S S E E AQ U A R I U M M O B I L E
OPTIMIZE YOUR AQUARIUM
FUN WITH OUR NEW APP
Thanks to a new partnership with the Business Media Center (BMC)
at Tennessee Tech University, the Aquarium now has a new tool to help
members plan their visit, get the most out of their next adventure and
have a little fun afterward.
Once at the Aquarium, members can schedule reminders about dive
shows, animal presentations and keeper talks by scrolling through
the programs tab. Visitors can also track and share their experience
with friends as they travel from gallery to gallery.
Guests can also become featured creatures by adding bird beaks,
frog hands and other fun elements to their photos taken at the
Aquarium to share with family, friends or other Aquarium fans on
Facebook or Twitter.
On the way home, kids and parents might quiz each other to see
how much information they soaked up about the Aquarium’s freshwater conservation efforts by playing a habitat game. Families will
also be entertained by dialing up an Aquarium animal, after meeting
these creatures, to hear their calls. Laughing macaws, barking frogs
and honking penguins are among the critters featured.
The BMC, in the prestigious College of Business at Tennessee
Tech University (TTU), brings people with a myriad of professional
backgrounds and experiences together to produce amazing websites
and other digital platforms such as the Aquarium’s new app. Their
team of creative business professionals had a lot of fun collaborating
with the Aquarium on this demonstration project and look forward
to new opportunities to work together in the future. “The Business
Media Center provides an unparalleled opportunity for our students
in the realm of entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Dr. Kenneth
J. Wiant, Dean of the College of Business at TTU. “The internship
relationship that our students have with the Center allows for unique
opportunities to gain work experience and see tangible results in an
actualized setting.”
The new Tennessee Aquarium app, powered by Tennessee Tech
University, may be downloaded for free from either the iTunes Store
or Google Play. It is compatible with iPhone, Android and tablets. 
The Tennessee Aquarium app
was made possible by:
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C O M I N G TO I M A X ® O N F R I DAY, M AY 2 3
GALAPAGOS 3D —
NATURE’S WONDERLAND
Off the west coast of South America, in the eastern
Pacific Ocean, lies a set of volcanic islands where life
has played out over millions of years in relative isolation.
As a result, it is home to some of the world’s most
unusual species of animals, plants and insects.
Giant tortoises, weighing up to half a ton, lumber along the rolling
landscape. Meanwhile Marine Iguanas wiggle their way underwater,
climbing out on the rocky shoreline to sun themselves and sneeze out
sea-salt in an amusing way.
Surrounding this spectacular archipelago, converging cross-winds
and deep, cold, nutrient-rich currents create an astonishingly beautiful
marine oasis, which boasts everything from microscopic plankton to
Galapagos Sharks.
Beginning Friday, May 23rd, you can be transported to one of the
world’s remaining wild places when Galapagos 3D: Nature’s Wonderland
sweeps onto the giant screen to immerse you in a land bigger than life.
“Galapagos is full of drama, and it’s also full of very, very charismatic
animals which, because they are uniquely unafraid of humans, you can
get extremely close to while filming,” explains the film’s writer and
legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough. “Home to some 9,000
species, with 80 percent of the land-dwelling population being indigenous to the islands, Galapagos is one of the wonders of the world, and
the animals are absolutely riveting.”
Included in the animal cast of characters is a thrilling group of birds.
From tropical albatrosses that perform elaborate courtship dances, to the
famed Blue-footed Boobies and tiny penguins that may travel thousands
of miles to these rich ocean waters, the film showcases these wondrous
birds both above and below the water’s surface.
For a land so untouched by the rest of the world, the Galapagos
Islands have had an immeasurable impact on the way we study nature
throughout the globe. Often called a “living museum,” the islands are a
big draw for tourists and scientists. To help protect this irreplaceable
ecosystem, the area has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
RIVERWATCH
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OCEAN JOURNEY
SHARK PUPS KEEP
POPPING UP
BY SHANNON COLBERT, SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST • PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD STAILEY
Menacing, toothy fish like the Great White Shark probably come to mind
first when you think about sharks living in the waters around Australia. But
one lesser-known species from those same waters, the Epaulette Shark, is
more likely to conjure the word “cute” at the Tennessee Aquarium.
Since 2012, 42 Epaulette Sharks have
hatched in the Aquarium’s breeding program, overseen by Aquarist Kyle
McPheeters.
“Our adults had been together since
2005 but had never produced any offspring,” said McPheeters. “We began
feeding them a bit heavier and adjusting
the water shortly after I joined the
Aquarium team in 2011. That’s when
they began to breed,” says McPheeters.
The Aquarium’s adult Epaulette
Sharks live in the Stingray Bay touch
tank located inside Ocean Journey.
Though they’re not as outgoing as some
of their tank mates, lucky visitors get
the opportunity to gently touch their
sandpaper-like skin as they swim along.
In the wild, Epaulette Sharks are
found primarily in New Guinea and
along the northern coast of Australia.
Epaulette Sharks are nocturnal.
During the day these pups rest,
huddled together inside a shelter
provided by aquarists.
12
RIVERWATCH
These nocturnal fish can grow to as long
as three and a half feet in length. They
prefer warm, shallow waters usually
around coral reefs. Though they do
swim, these fish are also known as
“walking sharks” since they use their
pectoral and pelvic fins to move around
the sandy bottom of the waters they
inhabit. This enables them to feed on
bottom dwelling invertebrates like
worms, shrimp and shellfish.
Unlike some other shark species
which give live birth, female Epaulette
Sharks lay leathery egg casings known as
Mermaid’s Purses. These are commonly
attached to a rock or stable object
among the sea floor, hidden from predators that might see them as a tasty snack.
Epaulette pups usually hatch within 130
days and are born completely capable of
hunting and fending for themselves.
In the Aquarium’s breeding program,
the egg casings are carefully monitored
using methods like candling and simply
peeking through the open end of the
mermaid’s purse. Since the little fish do
not always receive the same cues to
hatch that they might in the wild,
sometimes a little gentle assistance is
required from keepers.
The epaulette breeding program has
become so successful that the Aquarium
has been able to send more than 25
young sharks to other AZA-accredited
facilities in six different states. While
epaulettes are not currently considered
threatened in the wild, breeding them
on exhibit reduces the pressure on wild
populations. “Hopefully we can transfer
some of what we have learned breeding
Epaulettes to other shark species in the
future,” said McPheeters. 
Aquarist Kyle McPheeters is hoping to
apply knowledge gained rearing
Epaulette Sharks to Speckled Carpet
Sharks. Only five Speckled Carpet
Sharks are known to be in human care
in the United States. The Tennessee
Aquarium has three of them—one male
and two females. Join us for SharkFest
on Aug. 1st! Details on page 9.
RIVERWATCH
13
FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR DAILY UPDATES AND BREAKING NEWS!
RIVERCURRENTS
AQUARIUM EARNS PRAISE
DURING AZA ACCREDITATION
The Aquarium was granted accreditation by the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) during the Association’s MidYear Conference in Memphis.
“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredits only
those zoos and aquariums that meet the highest standards,”
said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “As a proven
leader in the care and conservation of wildlife and education outreach, the Tennessee Aquarium is ranked among
the best zoos and aquariums in the world.”
To be accredited, the Aquarium underwent a thorough
review to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising
standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs,
conservation, education and safety.
An independent AZA inspection team found no major
concerns and noted particular achievements in several
areas including exemplary exhibits; excellent partnerships
resulting in extremely effective freshwater conservation
programs; trained, friendly and engaged staff and volunteers; and “one of the finest, if not THE finest collections
of freshwater aquatic animals in the world.”
“Our goal is always to exceed AZA standards,” said
Jackson Andrews, the Aquarium’s director of husbandry
and operations. “Our experienced staff is committed to
thinking strategically about the Aquarium’s educational
programs, conservation work and providing a world-class
guest experience.” 
NEW TNACI GIS SPECIALIST
ANIMAL EXPERTS CONVERGE
ON CHATTANOOGA
Hundreds of scientists who study fishes, sharks, reptiles,
and amphibians will present results of their research this
summer at the Chattanooga Convention Center when the
Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists comes
to town.
The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute
(TNACI), is excited to serve as local hosts for this meeting
to showcase the Southeast as a biodiversity hotspot.
Chattanooga is close to the Cumberland, Tennessee, and
Mobile river drainages, home to 395 species of fishes,
almost half of the nation’s freshwater fish diversity in just
three percent of the U.S. land area! More than 150 species
of amphibians, largely salamanders, have been documented
from the Southeast. This region is also a global hotspot for
aquatic turtle species, though there are also plenty of
snakes and lizards to keep visiting scientists excited.
A social event for this joint meeting will be hosted at
the Tennessee Aquarium, where attendees will meet more
than 10,000 animals representing 510 species of fishes
(including sharks and rays), amphibians and reptiles from
around the world. For more information on the Joint
Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists please visit:
dce.k-state.edu/conf/jointmeeting/. 
OTTERLY FUN GIFT IDEAS
Do you know an otter fan who’s positively in love with
these adorably cute animals? If so, the Aquarium gift
shops have plenty of new otter merchandise from cuddly
stuffed otters of all shapes and sizes to coffee mugs and
other souvenirs. One of the hottest selling items is the
trendy #iloveotters @tennesseeaquarium T-Shirt. Pick up
your otter items in our River Journey Gift Store or online
at store.shopaquarium.org/. Members receive a 10%
discount when entering the code OTTER at check-out. 
Sarah Hazzard joins the TNACI
staff in May as our new GIS
(Geographic Information
System) specialist. She will be
working primarily on our Freshwater Information Network (FIN), an online repository of freshwater
knowledge that displays museum collection records and field surveys of aquatic animals in the
Southeast, eventually leading to an interactive webpage powered by our partners at Tennessee
Tech University. Sarah will also assist in TNACI field work, including surveys for imperiled species.
Sarah just completed her M.S. in Biology from Georgia College & State University, where
she also received her B.S. in Environmental Sciences. She will bring a new expertise to TNACI—
crayfishes. Sarah studied the ecology of the threatened Oconee Burrowing Crayfish for her thesis.
Sarah knew she wanted to work in conservation biology after traveling to the Galapagos Islands
and believes that public awareness on the impacts of our daily activities is a key component to conservation. She has been
involved in community and academic outreach on environmental issues in Georgia and will continue this work in her
new job in Chattanooga. 
14
RIVERWATCH
OTTER PUPPET
CRAFT
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:
AND YOU!
CATION DEPARTMENT —
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM EDU
THE
BY
ED
UA.ORG.
VID
AQ
PRO
@TN
NT
CONTE
THAT” QUESTIONS TO GPB
ES & “HOW DO THEY DO
JOK
L
IMA
AN
R
YOU
D
SEN
YOU OTTER WORK THIS
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
North American River ______ (9) are amazing aquatic
_______ (3). We’re so excited to have a brand new habitat
for them at the _________ (5) Aquarium. In the wild, they
live in ______ (6), ______ (7), swamps, and estuaries.
River otters are fantastic swimmers in the weasel family.
Some can hold their ______ (10) for eight minutes and
_____ (1) to a depth of 60 feet. Otters are meat-eating
_________ (8) and love to eat fish; they sometimes also eat
crayfish, ______ (4), and amphibians. They have thick
____ (2) that helps them stay warm and dry in cold water.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 brown paper bag
2 googly eyes
1 large button
Crayons/markers
12 inches fishing line
Scissors
Glue
Print the otter parts template:
http://bit.ly/ottercraft
DIRECTIONS:
1. Color the otter parts on the printed page then cut each
out carefully.
2. Glue the body parts and the eyes in place on the side
with the folded flap.
3. Cut the fishing line in half (these are the whiskers).
4. Use the button or dark paper (cut into a circle) to glue
the whiskers in place.
5. Let it dry, then place hand in the bag and open his
mouth.
ANSWERS: (1) DIVE (2) FUR (3) MAMMALS (4) TURTLES (5) TENNESSEE
(6) LAKES (7) RIVERS (8) CARNIVORES (9) OTTERS (10) BREATH
SILLY ANIMAL JOKES
How do you get a romp of otters across a river?
You don’t – they’ll get there one way or an otter!
RIVERWATCH
15
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
RIVERWATCH
One Broad Street • P.O. Box 11048 • Chattanooga, TN 37401-2048 • tnaqua.org
Non-Profit
Organization
US POSTAGE
PAID
Chattanooga, TN
PERMIT #989
The Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit organization
with a mission to inspire wonder, appreciation and
protection of water and all life that it sustains.
Your dollars support our many education, conservation
and research programs. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter
and partner with us to continue our mission.
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TIME-SENSITIVE MATERIAL
OPEN DAILY 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day.
RIVERWATCH EDITOR
Thom Benson
[email protected]
EVENTS EDITOR
Matthew Hubbard
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Karen Estes
PHOTOGRAPHER
Todd Stailey
Riverwatch is published quarterly by the Tennessee
Aquarium. Written material may not be reproduced
without proper credit. The logo, the name Tennessee
Aquarium and Riverwatch are registered trademarks
of the Tennessee Aquarium. IMAX® & IMAX®3D
are registered trademarks of Imax Corporation,
Mississauga, Canada.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?
Visit us online at tnaqua.org/Membership
423-267-FISH (3474) • [email protected]
Official Sponsor of the
Tennessee Aquarium
Membership Program
Join us on Thursday, Sept. 4th for the
4th Annual Serve & Protect celebration
Chattanooga’s tastiest event to support the Aquarium’s mission-critical work.
Enjoy a gourmet reception and cooking show at IMAX® followed by an elegant seafood
dinner in an Aquarium gallery. Watch for more details in our e-newsletter or sign up
online to be alerted when tickets go on sale: community.tnaqua.org/serve2014
SERVE & PROTECT
IS PRESENTED BY