WaveTek Welfare: Transforming Aquatic Exhibits to Prioritize Marine Life Through Waves and Water Motion

In the world of zoos and aquariums, creating immersive environments is crucial for the well-being of animals and the satisfaction of visitors. An often-overlooked aspect of exhibits is the incorporation of waves and water motion, which goes beyond aesthetics to enrich the lives of marine animals simulating the natural movement of ocean waves for cleanliness of the tank and quality of the animal's habitat. ADG’s passion for this sector is demonstrated through previous work in enhancing animal habitats within aquariums and zoos. WaveTek® waves have been installed in countless exhibits at renowned zoos & aquarium facilities across the nation, including Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and more recently, the new sea lion exhibit at Columbus Zoo and Houston Zoo, along with a penguin exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach. 

To further showcase this dedication to support marine life conservation and animal welfare, this year, WaveTek has teamed up with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to donate 2% of proceeds from each specialty wave system sold, to AZA’s Animal Care and Wellbeing Fund for animal research, rescue, and restoration efforts. AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.  

AZA’s Animal Care and Wellbeing (ACW) Grants Fund was established in 2022, to provide financial assistance for projects that improve animal welfare and build staff capacity in zoos and aquariums. 

About the ACW Grants Fund

The ACW Grants Fund supports the AZA's Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals, focusing on applied animal welfare science and staff training. It addresses key areas such as: 

• Animal Welfare: Research on welfare assessments, environmental impacts, and choice and control. 
• Animal Management: Studies on husbandry, management strategies, and population management. 
• Animal Health: Research on nutritional strategies, quarantine practices, and disease prevention.

The fund also develops new training and education opportunities, including workshops, courses, webinars, and curriculum development, covering welfare, management, and health. 

WaveTek proudly supports the AZA Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund, reflecting our dedication to animal welfare. Our contributions help advance animal care practices and research, aligning with our values of innovation, quality, and responsibility. Through this partnership, we strive to create habitats that entertain and enrich the lives of the animals they host. There are many aspects of marine health and wellbeing that rely on proper water motion in exhibits. 

 

Why Waves?

Maintaining Water Quality

WaveTek wave systems can be meticulously crafted to transform zoo and aquarium displays into captivating aquatic realms. Through meticulous scale modeling and testing, our award-winning technologies and specialized wave applications are engineered to create lifelike aquatic habitats. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also optimizes water and sound quality for the well-being of marine life. Wave motion helps maintain water quality by facilitating nutrient circulation and oxygenation, ensuring a healthy and balanced environment for all aquatic inhabitants. 

Promoting Natural Behaviors

Marine species such as sea lions, dolphins, and penguins rely on wave motion in their natural habitats. Zoos and aquariums replicate this movement to create authentic environments that benefit both animals and visitors. Wave simulation not only enhances exhibit aesthetics but also supports animal health by encouraging natural behaviors, reducing stress, and ensuring overall physical and mental well-being. 

Mental & Physical Health 

The incorporation of waves and water motion into aquatic exhibits is crucial for the mental and physical health of marine animals. By simulating the dynamic environments these species experience in the wild, WaveTek systems help reduce stress and promote natural behaviors. This leads to happier, healthier animals that are more engaging for visitors to observe. 

Ecosystem Health

Waves and water motion are vital for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. From nourishing coral reefs to facilitating nutrient circulation and oxygenation, they play a crucial role in sustaining life within exhibits. WaveTek’s water motion technology enhances exhibit design, allowing zoos and aquariums to create realistic environments without harming marine life. This commitment to ecosystem health ensures that exhibits are not only visually appealing but also sustainable and conducive to long-term conservation efforts. 

 

Key Benefits of Waves & Water Motion

WaveTek’s advanced technology offers a range of benefits for both marine life and visitors: 

• Dynamic and Lifelike Exhibits: Create realistic environments that mimic the natural habitats of marine animals. 

• Enhanced Water Quality: Maintain optimal conditions for aquatic life through improved nutrient circulation and oxygenation. 

• Natural Behavior Promotion: Support the physical and mental health of marine species by encouraging natural behaviors. 

• Visitor Engagement: Captivate guests with interactive and visually stunning exhibits. 

• Sustainability: Implement eco-friendly solutions that promote long-term conservation efforts. 

Join Us in Making a Difference

From dynamic coral reefs to interactive sea lion habitats, WaveTek is ready to collaborate with you in crafting the perfect aquatic environment. With customized wave and water motion technology, we tailor solutions to suit the individual needs of your distinct animal exhibits. Elevate your aquatic exhibits with tailored water motion solutions powered by WaveTek wave systems and be a part of the mission to enhance marine life conservation and visitor experience.