The field station includes research and veterinary facilities, quarantine pools for rehabilitating rescued animals, both land and water animal rescue vehicles and housing for researchers and staff.

The team will conduct research and will rescue and rehabilitate stranded animals in Georgia and northeast Florida. Animals deemed releasable by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be introduced to their habitats, while those deemed unfit will be housed by the NMFS.

The aquarium is also scheduled to complete the US$110m (£74.8m, 82.8m euro) expansion of its Atlanta site in 2010.

Georgia Aquarium's benefactor, Bernie Marcus, said: "From the very beginning, the Georgia Aquarium has sought to be a world-class research institution.

"We are not only making a difference by educating the millions of visitors that come to the Georgia Aquarium each year, but we are expanding our commitment to conduct research and conservation in the field."

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