SWEPT FROM THE SEA – AN ANGEL AMONGST US

Photo above courtesy of the New England Aquarium

Photo above by Danielle Orcutt

This gorgeous little Blue Angelfish is one of the tiniest and most unique patients we’ve ever had at Wild Care, and it had quite a journey and story. In fact, according to the Gulf Stream Orphan (fish) Project, it is the northernmost angelfish that has ever been reported!

It was brought to Wild Care last Wednesday by Tim Silva, and his wife Danielle Orcutt, Oyster Farmers. “While flipping bags on the oyster grant in Little  Pleasant Bay, I met a tiny blue angelfish. I was captivated by its friendly nature and vibrant scales. Considering colder waters were coming, we knew we needed to find a place for it to survive. Wild Care was our first call, and we are glad it was.”

Knowing it was a tropical saltwater fish that was way off course, our staff placed it into a bucket with heated saltwater and an aerator when it arrived at Wild Care.

We contacted Owen Nichols, Director, Marine Fisheries Research Center for Coastal Studies who stated that the New England Aquarium has a “whole program for rescuing these tropicals that get stranded here.” He put us in contact with Mike O’Neill, Associate Curator of Aquatic Collections at NEaq, and GSO project participant. Within an hour, Mike had arranged to pick up the fish at Wild Care the next morning. You can imagine our excitement when Mike picked up the fish to transport it to NEaq.

From Mike: “The GSO project is a network of marine conservation organizations and citizen scientists that compile sightings of tropical and subtropical species that get dispersed by the Gulf Stream in the northwest Atlantic. These fish typically do not survive in northern latitudes once water temperatures drop in the fall and winter. In some cases the aquarium is able to collect these fish before they perish and will go on to live at the aquarium. This angelfish will grow up at the NEaq and eventually go on exhibit!

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the compassion and work of Tim Silva, Mike O’Neill, and Owen Nichols. Thanks to these three individuals, this sweet fish is no longer lost at sea.

THE GULF STREAM ORPHAN PROJECT:

http://www.gsoproject.org

Executive Director, Stephanie~

If you find an animal in
distress, please call us at:

508-240-2255

Our helpline and our facility
are open EVERY DAY from
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
We are located at the
Orleans rotary (on the Eastham side).

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SWEPT FROM THE SEA – AN ANGEL AMONGST US

This gorgeous little Blue Angelfish is one of the tiniest and most unique patients we've ever had at Wild Care. Photo courtesy of the New England Aquarium.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

26 October, 2024
GARV’S GREAT PUMPKIN HALLOWEEN PARTY
EVENT DETAILS
02 October, 2024
Wildlife Fall Talk Series
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15 June, 2024
Wildlife Baby Shower 2024!
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DID YOU KNOW??

Wild Care has a state-of-the-art seabird therapy pool, which allows seabirds and waterfowl to exercise on running water. This will help our bird friends recover more quickly so they can get back to their watery habitats!