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Welcome to the Virginia Living Museum
Virginia’s Animal Attraction & Dino Destination
The Virginia Living Museum is a successful public-private partnership, since 1966, between the City of Newport News and the Virginia Living Museum, a 501 (c)(3) organization. Together we connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation.
BUILT by the Community, BELOVED by the Community and SUSTAINED by the Community, the Museum depends on private donations to succeed. We appreciate your financial contribution to support engaging education, animal welfare and conservation experiences for you and your family. Please consider a gift to our Annual Fund or a planned gift to our Endowment for future sustainability.
What You’ll See
Animals in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is home to more than 250 species of animals found in Virginia including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish. We provide a sanctuary for orphaned, non-releasable or injured animals.
Happening Now on Social Media
“Freckles” the Lobster is 1 in 30 Million!
A call went out to members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) from the Red Lobster Seafood Restaurant in Manassas, Virginia when restaurant staff discovered a very unique spotted shell.
Identified as a Calico Lobster, the large marine crustacean has a striking orange and black speckled shell as do only 1 of every 30 million lobsters in the world. Restaurant staff named their discovery “Freckles” due to its appearance, and decided it needed a home fitting it’s unique colors.
Enter Virginia Living Museum’s Senior Director of Animal Welfare and Conservation, Chris Crippen. “We take great pride in our conservation efforts and strive to create strong partnerships in our community. Red Lobster reached out to the AZA network – of which we are a proud member – to provide a home for this rare and beautiful animal.” said Crippen. “We see this as an opportunity to share nature’s anomaly with guests, as well as continue important education about sustainable seafood practices and significant conservation efforts of the American lobster fishery.”
Calico lobsters seldom survive in the wild because their bright colors make them susceptible to predators. Crippen and Aquarium Curator, Patrycja Lawryniuk traveled to Manassas last Thursday, April 29, 2021 to retrieve the lucky lobster. He was collected from the restaurant’s live lobster tank. After a health evaluation, “Freckles” was transported by van to his new home in Newport News. Once a short period of evaluation and quarantine is completed, he will go on exhibit to the public as a welcome addition to the Museum’s Gallery.
The Virginia Living Museum and Red Lobster are both partners in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, which is committed to choosing sustainable seafood for healthier oceans, now and for future generations. The Virginia Living Museum wishes to thank Red Lobster and AZA for their part in this crustacean story that has a very happy ending!
Travis Roell
Neat! 🦞
What will her permanent home be like?
Eric MacInnis we will have to take the boys to go see him!
🔰Joind LINK::► livetvhdstream.xyz/Give-Local-757/
Awesome!
Pretty cool 😊
Thank you for giving it a home ❤️
Give Local 757 - Build it for the Bobcat! 🔰Joind LINK::► livetvhdstream.xyz/Give-Local-757/
Give Local 757 - Build it for the Bobcat! 🔰Joind LINK::► livetvhdstream.xyz/Give-Local-757/
Living Otter Ball Featured Team of the Week: St. George Brewing Dragon Slayers!
The Museum and The St. George Brewing Company are challenging Sly Clyde Ciderworks, Oozlefinch Beers & Blending, Capstan Bar Brewing Company,and Tradition Brewing Company to join the challenge and see who can rise to the top!
Wanna join in? Click here to create your team/individual page or make a donation: give.classy.org/livingotterball
Thank you Townebank, Presenting Sponsor of the Living Otter Ball, and supporting sponsors Huntington Ingalls Industries, Riverside and W.M. Jordan Company!