Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 19 hours ago
Our all-new, state-of-the-art research facility, the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center is currently under construction. This facility will have a necropsy building to further research, a space for animal rehabilitation, animal quarantine for adjusting to new habitats and more. It will not be open to the public, but we thought we'd share a little about this exciting new building with all of you. We are looking forward to kicking off our 30th anniversary of our Stranding Program with this new amazing research facility to further education of marine animals.
Our all-new, state-of-the-art research facility, the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center is currently under construction. This facility will have a necropsy building to further research, a space for animal rehabilitation, animal quarantine for adjusting to new habitats and more. It will not be open to the public, but we thought we'd share a little about this exciting new building with all of you. We are looking forward to kicking off our 30th anniversary of our Stranding Program with this new amazing research facility to further education of marine animals.










![Sandy and Speckless Snowball Fight!
Our mascots Sandy the Sea Turtle and Speckles the Spotted Eagle Ray headed outside yesterday for a little fun in the snow!
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Video Description: our mascots taking turns throwing snowballs at each other, with [spoiler alert] Sandy slipping at the end during a throw. Sandy and Speckless Snowball Fight!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7y0tAZ5fr70/mqdefault.jpg)