Due to popular demand, Secrets of the Swamp to remain open through April!

The National Aquarium in Washington, DC announced today that due to popular demand, they will be extending the stay of their albino alligator, Oleander, and the Secrets of the Swamp exhibit until April 29, 2012.

Oleander is an extremely rare albino alligator that was hatched in Louisiana and is a permanent resident of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park in Florida. Fewer than 100 of these extraordinary species exist worldwide due to the many environmental challenges that they face. Albinism is a genetic lack of melanin pigment in eyes and skin, resulting in the alligator’s unusual translucent scales and pinkish eyes. Albino alligators are very sensitive to sunlight, and because of their inability to blend in with their surroundings, they create unwanted attention to themselves from predators. This leaves albino alligators with an extremely low survival rate in the wild.

Oleander came to the National Aquarium in Washington, DC, in October and was originally scheduled to depart this month but because of her tremendous popularity, the National Aquarium decided to extend her stay until the end of April.

“It seems that the public just cannot get enough of Oleander,” said Bob Ramin, Chief Development Officer of the National Aquarium and Executive Director of the National Aquarium in Washington, DC. “This additional time gives those who didn’t have the opportunity before to come in and meet her.”

Shortly after Oleander’s arrival, the public got to take part in naming her through a contest facilitated over their social media channels. Over 550 people participated in the naming contest. An oleander is a flowering shrub, native to Louisiana and the southern region of the US. In addition to sharing the same home state, this plant and alligator have very similar qualities: they are both unique and beautiful, yet they can both be dangerous.

The exhibit is free with the cost of admission to the aquarium. Public alligator feedings occur every Friday at 2:00pm. National Aquarium husbandry staff provides visitors with an educational lesson on the lives and habits of alligators and an up-close demonstration of how alligators are target trained to respond to colors in connection with their feedings.

Visitors can also see Oleander during Reptile and Amphibian Day on February 25th! This event will celebrate the many reptiles and amphibians at the aquarium, with activities, presentations and interactions. All activities are included with general admission to the National Aquarium in Washington, DC.
Click here to learn more about Reptile and Amphibian Day!

The National Aquarium is pleased to announce Steven Schindler has been named the organization’s new Chief Marketing Officer.

In this role, Schindler will oversee all of the National Aquarium’s marketing initiatives for both the Baltimore and Washington, DC venues. Schindler will champion the National Aquarium’s mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures.

“I welcome Steve’s strategic approach and collaborative management style to the National Aquarium team,” said John C. Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium. “His executive experience at leading successful teams and delivering measureable results strengthen each initiative he undertakes and influences growth for the organizations he represents. Steve’s experience in the digital realm, superb credentials, and career-long dedication to championing brand are welcome additions.”

Schindler brings to the Aquarium more than 20 years of experience developing marketing programs. He has held key marketing positions with Bally’s Las Vegas and Contiki Holidays, where he worked on assignment in London, England developing U.S. inbound tour programs. He also developed advertising programs for destination marketing organizations, attractions and hotels and resorts with San Diego and San Francisco Bay Area advertising agencies. In 1992, he founded his own California-based marketing firm, Schindler Marketing Group, Inc., and served as president and creative director for 16 years before focusing his communications and marketing skills in the digital world. In 2006, Schindler co-founded Sasa Technologies, where he launched two online businesses and spearheaded digital commerce transactions that strengthen business-to-business relationship development, led negotiations with content and distribution partners, and directed online search engine initiatives that optimize online presence and marketing opportunities.

Most recently, he was the vice president of marketing of Local.com Corporation, a leading online media company that connects small and medium businesses and national advertisers with more than 25 million monthly unique visitors. He led that organization’s successful online relaunch; launched the corporation’s daily deals site, Spreebird.com; and led all strategic marketing planning and communications for its diverse consumer and digital businesses.

Schindler earned his Bachelor of Science Marketing and Public Relations Degrees from San Diego State University and studied International Business at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Download Steven Schindler Press Release
Download Steven Schindler Photo

The National Aquarium and the National Wildlife Federation have joined forces to protect wildlife and water resources for future generations. Approved by unanimous vote at the most recent Board of Directors meeting, the National Aquarium has been selected as the National Wildlife Federation’s Maryland affiliate. This partnership will link conservation efforts from Appalachia, to the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to align the efforts of this nation’s aquarium with one of its most effective conservation organizations,” said John Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium. “The National Aquarium team has worked tirelessly over the past 30 years to preserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay, in that time restoring 155 acres of bay shorelines with 1.4 million individual native plants, shrubs and trees. This exciting new alliance will allow us to further expand our reach and strengthen our impact.”

“We are delighted to welcome the National Aquarium into the Federation’s family of 48 affiliates,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of National Wildlife Federation. “The National Aquarium is the trusted voice of the aquatic world, filling visitors with a sense of wonder, educating them about the threats to our oceans and water resources, and inspiring them to take individual action.”

Maryland is part of NWF’s Chesapeake Mid-Atlantic region, one of nine such regions throughout the United States. Affiliates in each region work together and with partners to advance conservation and protect the region’s unique natural treasures. The Mid-Atlantic region includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina.

“The National Aquarium will be a great addition to our region-wide efforts to conserve our resources and to connect families with the natural world,” said Tony Caligiuri, NWF Mid-Atlantic regional executive director. “We’re already collaborating on important efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay and look forward to working together ensure that aquatic habitats are preserved for future generations.”

“Both of our organizations are dedicated to inspiring people to take an active role in protecting our natural resources,” said Laura Bankey, director of conservation at the National Aquarium. “We are excited about the national impact we will have by joining together to protect and restore our ecosystems.”

National Wildlife Federation, founded 75 years ago, has 4 million members and supporters nationwide. Affiliate representatives elect the NWF Board of Directors and set the organization’s policy objectives in the form of resolutions. NWF has more than 82,000 members and supporters in Maryland.

On Friday, August 12, the National Aquarium was joined by Oceana for the release of three endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into the Chesapeake Bay at Point Lookout State Park in Scotland, Maryland. The turtles came to the National Aquarium this winter from the New England Aquarium, after they were found stranded along Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, June 28, Dr. Erik Rifkin, Executive Director of the National Aquarium Conservation Center was invited to provide testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works: Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife. The hearing, entitled, “Status of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment” focused on the evaluation and improvement of our ability to measure long-term chronic damages to our environment in the wake of last year’s oil spill.