September 07, 2025
National Threatened Species Day, observed annually on September 7th, serves as a reminder of the growing number of animal species facing extinction. At Newport Aquarium, we take this mission personally. Our exhibits, programs, and partnerships are all rooted in a shared goal, conservation through education, action, and community support.
By offering up-close, emotional encounters with some of the world’s most vulnerable animals, we aim to turn awareness into action and curiosity into care. When guests meet these species face-to-face, they’re more likely to join the cause and help protect them in the wild.
Meet Our Threatened & Endangered Residents
These playful, tuxedoed birds are listed as endangered, with wild populations declining due to oil spills, climate change, and dwindling fish supplies. Guests can a get even closer visit of them through our Penguin Encounter experience. This behind-the-scenes opportunity allows guests to meet African penguins face-to-face and learn directly from their keepers.
Your participation in the Penguin Encounter helps support the animals in our care and contributes to our conservation partner, SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). SANCCOB’s primary mission is to reverse the decline of seabird populations by rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing ill, injured, abandoned, and oiled seabirds, especially endangered species like the African penguin.
Sharks have roamed the oceans for over 400 million years, but today, many species face threats from overfishing, habitat loss, and misconceptions that have cast them as villains of the sea. Several species, including sand tiger sharks and other coastal dwellers, are now considered vulnerable or endangered due to slow reproduction rates and increasing environmental pressures. At Newport Aquarium, we’re proud to provide a safe haven and an educational platform to help reverse these trends.
Guests can encounter a range of these awe-inspiring creatures, including sandbar sharks, zebra sharks, nurse sharks, and more, each playing a vital role in the marine ecosystem. Through immersive exhibits and hands-on experiences, we’re working to change the narrative around sharks, from fear to fascination.
Start your journey with Shark Bridge, the world’s first suspended rope bridge that lets guests walk just inches above sharks, rays, and more than 300 fish. This 75-foot-long V-shaped bridge hovers above the open water of the 385,000-gallon Surrounded by Sharks exhibit, offering a one-of-a-kind, heart-pounding perspective. Shark Bridge is included with daily admission or an annual membership.
Prefer a more serene experience? Take a seat in front of one of the largest viewing windows in the aquarium and watch sharks glide by in all their majestic calm. It's a moment to pause, observe, and appreciate these powerful creatures up close.
Looking for something more interactive? Visit Shark Central, a 5,000-gallon touch tank where you can feel the skin of a variety of sharks and skates. This hands-on exhibit offers guests of all ages the rare chance to touch a shark and learn what makes them both resilient and fragile. It's a thrilling, educational encounter that encourages empathy and sparks curiosity, exactly what conservation starts with.
Seahorses may look like creatures from a fairytale, but these tiny marvels face very real threats. Habitat destruction, climate change, and overharvesting for the pet trade have led to declines in many seahorse populations, placing several species at risk.
At Newport Aquarium, guests can explore the magical world of these fascinating animals in Seahorses: Unbridled Fun. This exhibit showcases seahorses, sea dragons, and pipefish in immersive, eye-level displays that let you watch their curious behaviors up close. You'll also discover other species that share their shallow coastal habitats, like the synchronized razor fish and the alien-like cuttlefish.
The fun doesn’t stop there. Visitors can unleash their creativity at the Seahorse Creation Station, where they can design their own digital seahorse to share with friends and family. And at the larger-than-life Giant Seahorse Sculptures, guests can shrink to seahorse scale and learn about their unusual anatomy in a truly hands-on way. It’s a whimsical, educational experience designed to inspire curiosity, wonder, and conservation.
Conservation in Action
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Newport Aquarium is deeply committed to global conservation efforts. Through rigorous animal care and active collaboration, we participate in programs that make a real difference, including:
● SANCCOB Partnership: Newport Aquarium supports SANCCOB, a leading marine bird rehabilitation center in South Africa, which rescues and rehabilitates endangered African penguins.
● Species Survival Plans (SSPs): Our breeding efforts help maintain healthy genetic populations of threatened species.
● Immersive, educational exhibits: Experiences like Jellies: Go With the Flow or our interactive Touch Tanks deepen understanding of ocean ecosystems.
● Community outreach and events: We regularly host conservation-themed activities and campaigns to engage families and schools year-round.
Together, these initiatives help us fulfill our mission to “amaze and inspire, while supporting the conservation of the natural world.”
How Guests Can Help
Every visitor to Newport Aquarium plays a role in conservation. Here’s how:
● Become a Member: Memberships directly support the animals and programs that protect them. Gold and Platinum levels also unlock exclusive perks.
● Donate or Round Up: Whether at the ticket counter or online, your donation supports conservation partners and projects.
● Choose Sustainable Seafood: Learn more about responsible ocean-friendly eating with guidance from staff and educational signage.
● Share What You Learn: Inspire others by sharing photos, facts, and stories from your visit across social media.
Plan Your Visit
Come meet these threatened species in person, and learn how your presence helps protect their future. Celebrate National Threatened Species Day this September at Newport Aquarium, and walk away with unforgettable memories, eye-opening insights, and a greater sense of purpose.
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