The Virginia Aquarium is continuing to care for its sea turtles and other animals after a fire caused extensive smoke damage at its conservation centre last week.
Last Tuesday (29 September), the fire department was dispatched after a fire broke out in the Virginia Aquarium's Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center.
The fire itself was contained by the facility's sprinkler system, but the whole building suffered extensive smoke damage.
"We are very grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to protect our facility, and our staff who guided the safe recovery and continued care of our animals and animal systems," said the aquarium's CEO, Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis.
"The team is tired, but they remain completely focused on animal welfare and getting this critical facility operational again."
After the fire, the aquarium's staff worked with first responders to safely remove all five sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation from the building.
Since then, all fish and invertebrates have been moved out of the centre, with some invertebrates lost on the night of the incident.
Additionally, a stranded Kemp's ridley sea turtle undergoing rehabilitation died days later. A necropsy indicated that the sea turtle was already compromised before the fire and died as a result of prior injuries and illnesses.
"While any loss is difficult, the number of animals lost was limited and the situation was contained thanks to the response of emergency personnel and aquarium staff," the aquarium said.
Recovery process at Virginia Aquarium
The Virginia Aquarium's veterinary and animal care teams continue to monitor all animals from the centre.
The aquarium said that virtually every space and system in the centre have been affected by smoke damage or contamination, with an assessment process set to determine what can be restored and what is lost.
The aquarium's immediate priority is to restore the sea turtle rehabilitation systems and treatment area.
"Through all of this, I could not be prouder of our team,” said Whitbred-Spanoulis. “Staff responded immediately to protect our animals, stabilize operations, and begin the recovery process."
