Thursday, March 28, 2024

New shark and ray touchpool to open at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in 2019

 

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas announces a new addition on the second floor, where an interactive exhibit – a Shark and Ray Touchpool Gallery – is set to make its debut next year.

Construction will begin in August and the exhibit is scheduled to open in summer 2019. The contractor for the $2.9 million project is C M Combs Construction of Madisonville, La.

The new exhibit will occupy a larger space than the existing Stingray Touchpool Gallery and will accommodate several different species, including a variety of small sharks and rays, some of which have not been part of the Aquarium collection for some time.

The familiar cownose rays in the Stingray Touchpool that have been enjoyed by visitors for years will remain.

The existing 5-foot-by-10-foot pool located on the downriver end of the Aquarium near the “Reef Rescue’’ virtual reality attraction will be open throughout the estimated 10-month construction process.

“Our new Shark and Ray Touchpool gallery will give guests a chance to learn about the importance of sharks to the ocean environment,’’ said Rich Toth, Vice President and Managing Director of Audubon Aquarium.

“We hope this new exhibit encourages an appreciation for this often-misunderstood but essential species by highlighting sharks’ considerable contributions to the health of our planet. Sharks have far more to fear from humans than we do from them.’’

Toth said he has always been intrigued by all marine life – especially sharks and stingrays.

“I think we find them fascinating because some sharks and rays are feared for their predatory and defensive behaviors. For us to tear down that fear and help our guests to understand and appreciate these animals is important to the conversation.’’

The new, kidney-shaped pool will measure approximately 60 feet long by 16 feet at its widest point, narrowing to about 9 feet in the middle. The gallery will be between the Aquarium’s penguin and sea otter exhibits across from the seahorse display.

Guests will have the opportunity to interact with small sharks and rays under the watchful eyes of the Aquarium’s curatorial and education staff and see daily training and educational programming. A high-tech underwater camera will offer visitors a peek at images from below the surface on a nearby giant screen.

Other species being considered for the new gallery include zebra shark, catshark, bamboo shark, southern ray, Atlantic ray, yellow ray, blue-spotted ray and guitarfish.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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