The texas state aquarium's mission is engaging people with animals, inspiring appreciation for our SEAS, and supporting wildlife conservation. Its vision is to be a global leader in fostering support for the conservation of the GULF of mexico and caribbean SEA. To accomplish this goal, the aquarium has developed more than 25 permanent and special exhibits to interpret the animals and sensitive ecosystems of these regions, educating an average of more than 500,000 visitors annually in the wonders of the marine world. The texas state aquarium promotes and actively engages in environmental conservation through a number of programs, including a wildlife rehabilitation program that ministers to the needs of hundreds of SICK and injured shorebirds, raptors, SEA turtles, and marine mammals each year.