Help Garry the Gar, Biology Ambassador Animal, Obtain a More Substantial Aquarium

Garry is a longnose gar fish and a resident of the Missouri State University Biology Department. This native Missouri fish has served as an ambassador animal in the Department for more than 25 years, growing from only 10 inches to 2 feet. While Garry’s current aquarium is substantial in size, it is still much too small for his current dimensions, making it difficult for him to properly navigate his environment. Estimated costs for the desired 700-gallon aquarium and the additional equipment to maintain this larger space are considerable. As such, the Department is reaching out to its network of contacts to try to raise the funds to upgrade Garry’s home.

Our biology faculty values the aquatic environments in Missouri, including those where longnose gar are native. Assigned value to Missouri’s animals and resources begins with sparked interest and then grows into appreciation. Garry affords the department a rare opportunity to more closely connect students to aquatic environments through everyday interactions with Garry.

The department faculty, staff, and student body greatly appreciate the kindness and support from our campus, the surrounding communities, and network of alumni and friends. Garry enjoys interacting with visitors and would undoubtably enjoy an environment that matches his big personality. We invite you to stop by the Department to visit Garry. Thank you for supporting Garry and the aquatic community he represents and for supporting MSU biological research!

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Heth.

*Your charitable donation is tax-deductible.