Animal Care & Rescue Center Opening Party
Hosted by the National Aquarium
June 6, 2018 – National Aquarium Animal Care and Rescue Center
Dozens of friends, donors and supporters of the National Aquarium got first peek at its new Animal Care and Rescue Center at an invite-only opening celebration.
Folks toured the East Fayette Street facility, welcomed by National Aquarium staffers who explained the various rooms and their purposes.
They also got to meet several of the center’s current residents, like Canuck, a loggerhead turtle who was rescued off the coast of Virginia after what looked like a boat strike injury. Canuck has since recovered and the Aquarium is hoping to release it off the coast of Ocean City later this summer.
Then there was crowd favorite, Duncan, a map pufferfish, who loves to come out of his trashcan domicile to chat with guests, as he did with Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, clinical director of the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Another highlight of the evening’s party was when Olivia Ugas led the “Happy Birthday” song (with National Aquarium president/CEO John Racanelli providing backup) to Mo Jishi, National Aquarium board member.
Pictured (LtoR) Mary Catherine Bunting, National Aquarium donor; and John Racanelli, National Aquarium president/CEO (with Canuck, the loggerhead turtle rescue, photo-bombing in the left background)
Pictured (LtoR) Mark Pollak, Ballard Spahr partner; and Winnie Borden, National Aquarium donor
Pictured (LtoR) Deborah Phelps, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools executive director; and Larry Frank, The Classic Catering People vice president/partner
Pictured (LtoR) Seeta Deonauth, Howard Community College engineering student; Mitchell Rachuba, Rachuba Group asset manager; and Jessica Nelson, National Aquarium assistant curator of Australia & Rainforest
Pictured (LtoR) Anne London, National Aquarium volunteer diver; Andrew Pulver, National Aquarium director of husbandry; and Elizabeth Wagner, National Aquarium board member/volunteer diver
Pictured (LtoR) Jeanette Young, Baltimore County Public Schools residency investigator; Jason Young, American Systems program manager; and Candace Osunsade, National Aquarium chief administrative officer
Pictured (LtoR) Mike Batza, former National Aquarium board chair; and Pattie Batza, community volunteer
Pictured (LtoR) Suzanne Amos, FLAVORx veterinary consultant; and Peggy Stansbury, community volunteer
