Zoo Rating: Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography

La Jolla, California, USA

 

 

About the Zoo

 

Birch Aquarium, as explained above, is owned and operated by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, one of the prestige colleges for marine science in the US. The aquarium, while standing as an attraction for the public, it also allows for up-close research on many species of Pacific species and gives extreme experience in the field of animal management.

 

 

1. Species

The Aquarium’s limiting factor in species is its size. As seen by the map above, all species kept are from the Pacific, from a wide variety of environments. While most are typical reef, kelp forest, and other creatures, the high amount of endemic animals makes this collection resemble a miniature Monterey Bay. In addition, very special species including Chambered Nautilus, several species of seahorses and kin, and a coral breeding center.

Score: 7

2. Animal Welfare

Literally in the care of experts, it is obvious that the animals at Birch Aquarium could not get any better care. All of the facility’s animals are vibrantly coloured and well fed. It is obvious that all the animals are well cared for due to their near constant-breeding of wolf eels, seahorses, and other, tough-to-breed species.

Score: 9

3. Construction

Birch Aquarium’s construction is fairly simple, with one half of the facility being devoted to the Hall of Fishes, a winding path that first starts in the cold north Pacific reefs, then moves on to its kelp forests, down to the subtropical reefs of Western Mexico, and finally, the tropical reefs of the south Pacific. Everything from sardines to wolf eels to golden trevally and chambered nautilus can be seen. The other half is filled with a plethora of educational exhibits, the stars of course being seahorses and their kin. More than a dozen are exhibited, and bred, at the facility. Also in this area is a hall devoted to whales, the giants of the ocean. Perhaps the most important exhibition in this area is one for global warming, featuring everything from a comparison between a bleached coral reef and a healthy one, to simple ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Outside exhibitions include ElasmoBeach, for sharks and their relatives, and a touch-tidepool. Despite all of this, the aquarium tour can be completed in forty minutes or even less.

Score: 7

 

4. Accommodations

For its small size, Birch Aquarium has a lot to offer guests. A large giftshop and ample restroom facilities satisfy those needs, while water fountains and a deli satisfy others.

Score: 8

 

5. Education

Literally situated on the grounds of a university, Birch provides students with easy-to-access marine life, for easy studying. Birch Aquarium’s wide variety of exhibitions hold a huge diversity of marine life, meaning everything from a kelp forest to tropical reef. With this, effects of global warming and human intrusion in habitats can be closely monitored and kept track of. Aside from these future scientists, Birch and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography open up the aquarium to K-12 students, allowing them to learn more about the nearby Pacific Ocean. There are even halls devoted to animals that cannot be kept at the aquarium, such as the massive Gray Whale. Overall, Birch, for its size, provides an immense educational opportunity.

Score: 9.5

 

6. Interaction

Birch’s entire existence is bent on interaction between humans and the sea. With such, its exhibitions bring forth a touch pool, several sea-themed playgrounds, and computer screens. Everything from whales to seahorses to global warming are touched on.

Score: 7

Total: 7.9

 

Despite its small stature, Birch Aquarium is superb and clearly well thought out. The Scripps Institute of Oceanography keeps the aquarium in the best possible condition, with the best possible combination of species in each habitat. It’s important to remember that it is small, but being in the San Diego/La Jolla area, there is a lot more to do. Birch Aquarium shouldn’t be missed, and is a true jewel among Pacific Coast aquaria, standing up to giants like Monterey, which it appears to be a dwarf of. A visit to Birch would definitely leave a positive impression on anyone.