VETERINARY UPDATE
***
STINGRAY BABY REVEAL
One of our Stingrays is expecting!

What kind of stingrays do we have?
The stingrays at Coral World are Southern Stingrays (Hypanus americanus), the most common ray found in our area.  Rays are closely related to sharks and both have a soft flexible skeleton made of cartilage.  They are typically found on sandy bottoms or in sea grass beds, and as adults can reach 5 feet across (females—5’; males–2’ across).

How long is a southern stingray pregnant? 
Stingrays can reproduce annually, with a gestation of 7-8 months.

Do stingrays lay eggs?
Southern stingrays do not lay eggs. They are ovoviviparous, which means they deliver live births. Rays give birth to anywhere from one to seven pups.

Head Start Program
Coral World collects the stingrays in its exhibits from local waters. Stingray Lagoon serves as a head start program for stingrays – When the juvenile stingrays reach a certain size and are less likely to be prey for larger predators, our marine operations staff will release them back to the ocean.

FEATURED ACTIVITY
***
SNUBA

Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Caribbean Waters

Want a diver’s view of a coral reef, but not ready for scuba diving? Then try SNUBA!
Immerse yourself in the beauty of our Caribbean waters off St. Thomas as you swim with tropical fish and other fascinating marine life. A certified guide will lead you on your adventure through the protected waters that surround Coral World Ocean Park’s Undersea Observatory Tower. (No certification required)

Green sea turtles are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species throughout the Caribbean. CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) has listed the green sea turtle under Appendix I – among the most endangered of the CITES-listed animals and plants. All sea turtles are protected by territorial law, which prohibits the harvesting of adults and eggs

The green turtle is one of the largest sea turtles and the only herbivore among the different species. Green turtles are in fact named for the greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells. Green turtles are found mainly in tropical and subtropical waters. Like other sea turtles, they migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches from where they hatched. Classified as endangered, green turtles are threatened by overharvesting of their eggs, hunting of adults, being caught in fishing gear and loss of nesting beach sites.

Coral World is home to 4 Green Sea Turtles that have been deemed non-releasable by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and serves as a rehabilitation center for injured or sick turtles and even struggling hatchlings.
Call us if you find a turtle or hatchling in distress at (340) 725-1556.

The next time you head to the beach for a refreshing time in the water, remember to use sunscreen but be aware that although sunscreen helps to protect our skin from ultraviolet radiation, some formulations are far from helpful to the marine environment around you. Many brands contain chemicals that can seriously harm the very reefs that attract people for their beauty and their surf breaks. Sunscreen induced bleaching threatens coral reefs worldwide, and although the amount one person uses may seem insignificant, it all adds up. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers and into the sea annually according to the Environmental Health Perspective online journal.

Coral Bleaching happens when the symbiotic relationship between zooxanthellae algae and coral breaks down.  Zooxanthellae algae live in coral polyps. The coral feeds off the byproduct of the photosynthesis process of the zooxanthellae. This is how corals get their bright coloring. The chemicals in sunscreen (paraben, cinnamate, benzolphenone, and camphor derivative) cause dormant viruses in the zooxanthellae to wake up and start replicating. As their numbers increase the polyp strains and eventually expels the zooxanthellae leaving it a whiter appearance.

Sunscreen is not the only thing that causes coral bleaching, but is one thing that as individuals we can control. Put sunscreen on at least 10 – 15 minutes before going into the water. Look for sunscreen that contains natural ingredients. Wear a swim shirt that blocks UV rays.

VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP TO STOCK UP ON REEF SAFE SUNCREEN

1. Did you know that South American sea lions and other pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are descendent from a land-based carnivore that lived 27-25 million years ago? Pretty cool right!
2. Do you know the difference between seals and sea lions? Although closely related, these animals are quite different from one another. Unlike seals, sea lions have an upright posture, small external ears and hind flippers that can rotate forward allowing for them to walk and run on land. Unlike seals, sea lions are also extremely social animals that gather in large groups on land called herds or rafts.
3. Although South American sea lions are marine mammals, they spend a lot of time on land. Adult South American Sea lions must return to land to sleep, reproduce and take care of their young!
4. South American sea lions can see really well underwater, but did you know that they can also see fairly well on land?
5. South American sea lions have whiskers on their mouths and eyelashes called vibrissae that can feel sounds and movements!. South American sea lions use vibrissae to find food, to avoid predators, to navigate in dark or muddy waters and to interact with other sea lions on land!
6. Did you know that South American sea lions swallow their food whole? They do this because they don’t have molars!

As we continue to welcome visitors back, we are closely monitoring news and information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to maintaining the highest health and safety practices, we have increased sanitation and disinfecting routines with extra focus on high touch and high traffic areas.  We benefit from large open-air spaces and have adjusted our operation to allow for proper social distancing (6ft apart).  We will continue to implement preventive measures in line with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control.  We are adjusting our operations according to the recommendations of health authorities as the situation develops.

WHAT CORAL WORLD IS DOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE

• General Admission and Activities capacity are limited to provide for physical distancing.
• Where minors are permitted to participate in an activity without an accompanying parent; A parent or guardian must be present to sign liability waivers.
• Reservations are encouraged to help manage capacity limits and minimize touchpoints at the entrance.
• All park staff members are required to wear face covering while working.
• All Coral World guests are required to wear masks per local government mandate. (Exempt: Children under 3 and persons with breathing difficulties)
• Hand sanitizer stations can be found at entries, exits, restrooms, and other locations in the park.
• The Park maintains its high standards of cleanliness and all high-touch surfaces like exhibit windows, railings, and restrooms are cleaned regularly.