No animal should have to be taken out of their own home and put on display for human entertainment. It’s already bad enough that Busch Gardens, Sea World, Animal Kingdom, and the Florida Aquarium exist but expanding it to inhabit more animals captive is inhumane. The proposed 3,700-foot Puffin exhibit at the Florida Aquarium is an unnecessary project that will only contribute to the suffering of these beautiful creatures.

Puffins:
Feeding Behavior: In the wild, puffins are skilled hunters, diving into the water to catch fish. In captivity, they may not have to hunt for their food, as they are typically fed by caretakers. This can lead to a decrease in their natural foraging behaviors.

Social Interactions: Puffins are social birds, often nesting in colonies. In captivity, the social dynamics may be altered due to limited space and interaction opportunities. This can lead to changes in mating behaviors and social hierarchies.

Flight and Exercise: Puffins are agile flyers and spend much of their time in the air. In captivity, they may have limited space to fly, which can lead to decreased exercise and muscle atrophy.

Reproduction: Breeding success in captivity can be challenging for puffins due to altered environmental conditions and social structures. Breeding behaviors such as courtship displays and nest-building may be affected.

Sea Lions:
Swimming and Diving: Sea lions are highly adapted to aquatic life, spending much of their time swimming and diving for food. In captivity, they may have restricted access to water or limited space for swimming, which can lead to behavioral changes and physical health issues.

Social Structure: Sea lions are social animals that live in groups called colonies. In captivity, they may be housed in smaller groups or alone, disrupting their natural social dynamics and leading to stress and behavioral issues.

Feeding: In the wild, sea lions hunt for a variety of fish and other marine prey. In captivity, their diet is often controlled and may lack variety, which can impact their nutritional intake and overall health.
Reproduction:

Breeding behavior in captive sea lions may differ from that in the wild due to environmental factors and social dynamics. Breeding success rates can vary, and captive breeding programs often require careful management to ensure the well-being of the animals involved.
In both cases, efforts are typically made by caretakers and conservationists to provide enrichment activities, simulate natural environments, and promote behaviors that are characteristic of the species in the wild. However, despite these efforts, the captive environment can never fully replicate the complexities of the animals' natural habitats, leading to behavioral changes and challenges for their well-being.

Puffins and Sea Lions belong in their natural habitat where they can live freely and healthily. Puffins are not native to Florida and regardless of the conditions they would be placed in by man-made materials, nothing will compare to THEIR home. Captivity causes stress and unnatural behaviors in animals. Instead of funding this expansion, resources should be directed towards conservation efforts that protect wildlife in their natural environments. The money could also be used to better the communities in the Tampa area!

 The goal is to receive as many signatures as possible to demonstrate the frustrations stowed upon the Tampa community in front of the Tampa City Council and Florida Aquarium. Join me in standing against this project by signing this petition today!