Photos taken by: Liza Winkler
Liza Winkler
3/20/12
Key West aquarium continues to preserve aquatic
culture
Word Count (660)
The Key West Aquarium continues to provide
a habitat for the sea life creatures of America’s most southern city with an
extensive history extending back to the Great Depression era.
The aquarium is located on Whitehead Street
in Mallory Square within the historic Old Town Key West, Fla., and is open to the
public each day of the year from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aquatic creatures such as American
alligators, sea stars, moon jellyfish, a Burmese python and sandbar sharks
inhabit the tanks within the six exhibits.
According to the Visit Key West website,
approximately four million people visit the Florida Keys each year. The Keys
consist of a 150-mile long island chain at the southern tip of Florida which is
home to coral reefs, mangrove forests and exotic wildlife and vegetation.
Greg Gerwin, curator of the Key West
Aquarium, moved to the city 10 years ago from Canton, Ohio. He said the
aquarium aims to educate the public on the importance of preserving the marine
life ecosystems in Florida and as well as the entire country.
Gerwin said his favorite parts of the
aquarium are the interactive portions which include a touch tank where guests
are free to hold animals such as conchs, sea stars, slate pencil sea urchins
and horseshoe crabs.
“The aquarium provides a great
opportunity for me and my co-workers to raise awareness of the beautiful
creatures of the Key West,” he said. “Many people might not know how delicate
the species are and we feel it is our job to help maintain these fragile
ecosystems.”
Rebecca Cobb, tour guide of the Key West
Aquarium, first moved to the city from Madison, Wis., in Feb. of 2011. She said
she enjoys providing tourists with knowledge about the variety of aquatic
species housed within the aquarium including the stingrays which are her
favorite animals.
The Stingray Bay allows visitors to feed
and pet eight cow nose rays in the most recent interactive addition to the
exhibits. The stingrays are de-barbed every six months to allow for a safe guest
experience in a procedure which does no harm to the animals.
Cobb said Van
Deusen, director of the Fairmount Park Aquarium in Pennsylvania, brought forth
the idea for the aquarium’s construction in 1933 to encourage employment
through Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration Program. The
Great Depression drastically increased unemployment during the time and the
construction efforts of the aquarium provided jobs for locals to support their
families.
Cobb
said the Key West Aquarium was completed in two years and then opened on Feb.
18, 1935. She said the aquarium was unique in starting an “open air concept”
for natural sunlight to enhance the displays. A roof was added in the 1960’s to
cut down on algae growth.
Cobb
said the aquarium has been devastated by a few hurricanes including one which
hit seven months after opening day. She said Hurricane Wilma in 2005 devastated
the exhibits and the entire island was given evacuation orders. The aquarium
was briefly used as a gun range during World War II and was later restored and
given back to the city in 1946, she said.
“The history behind the aquarium is so
fascinating and drew me into the culture,” Cobb said. “I couldn’t imagine
working at any other place. I just love the environment and welcoming
atmosphere here.”
Aaron Week, aquarist of the Key West
Aquarium, said he enjoys caring for the injured sea turtles which are featured
in the outdoor exhibits. One animal named Spike is a Loggerhead sea turtle.
Week said she was found floating in a patch of sargassum seaweed. Spike was
rescued several years ago and now receives care for her injured fins and mouth
by aquarium staff.
“Caring for the animals each day is such
a blessing,” Week said. “I get to hang out with sea turtles, iguanas and tons
of fish each day. Not many people enjoy their jobs as much as I do!”
Sources
Greg Gerwin - 1-888-544-5927
Rebecca Cobb - 1-888-544-5927
Aaron Week - 1-888-544-5927
http://www.visitkeywestonline.com/
Links
Key West Aquarium http://www.keywestaquarium.com/
Hurricane Wilma http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/special-reports/wilma.html
Great Depression http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/depression.htm
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