L.I. Aquarium receives accreditation by international marine mammals group

The Long Island Aquarium has received accreditation by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

“AMMPA-accredited facilities are recognized as the gold standard throughout the world, for zoological parks and aquariums with marine mammals,” the aquarium said in a press release.

Accredited members of the alliance meet or exceed rigorous standards and guidelines covering a dozen different areas such as animal husbandry, animal training, water and environmental quality, education, scientific research, breeding and transportation, according to the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

“These standards are based on the expertise of thousands of veterinarians, animal care specialists, operations personnel, and scientists,” the alliance said. “They optimize the physical health of and environmental conditions for individual marine mammals in each facility’s care. High standards also maximize the educational experiences for guests and scientific impact from collaborative research to better understand marine mammals and their needs.”

The accreditation follows a two-year process that consisted of compiling information, submitting a thorough and complex application, and an intensive inspection of the aquarium’s facility and staff, according to the press release.

“It’s very exciting to be considered among the top marine mammal facilities in the world and to finally get this team the recognition it deserves for being some of the best professional animal specialists in the world as well,” the aquarium’s director of animal training Candyce Paparo said.
  
The privately owned Long Island Aquarium, features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, butterflies from all over the world, the largest, living insect zoo in North America and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences.