Thursday. September 17th (6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.) and Sunday, September 20th (7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.)
Class Instructor Bard Wrisley
Join us for an exceptional visual experience of seeing the underwater world through the lens of your camera!
This photography workshop will begin with a short evening seminar on the basics of shooting in this special environment – lighting, exposure, white balance and creative composition for the most dynamic images.
We then meet back for a full morning of shooting at the Aquarium with hands-on instruction from a professional photographer followed by a critique of your best shots!
This fun workshop includes a catered lunch.
Please bring your camera! A digital SLR is by far your best bet in this challenging environment. But if not, you should have a higher end compact camera that has manual focus, to be able to get the great results you want. Also, be sure to bring along plenty of digital memory and fresh batteries. This workshop is geared toward photographers at any level with any camera that has manual focus capabilities.
Cost is $169 for Aquarium members and $195 for non-members. The price includes lunch, admission to the Aquarium and a class photo. Session is limited to 20 participants.
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Showing posts with label aquarium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aquarium. Show all posts
Monday, September 7, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Georgia Aquarium Welcomes Second New Manta Ray
Guests invited to name the second manta ray ever displayed in a U.S. aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium announced today the addition of a second manta ray into The Home Depot’s Ocean Voyager gallery, the largest aquarium exhibit in the world with 6.3 million gallons. The addition of the female manta ray makes the Georgia Aquarium the only aquarium in the United States to ever house two manta rays, and one of only four aquariums in the world to display this species. The new manta ray will join the Aquarium’s original manta, Nandi, four whale sharks and thousands of other species of sharks, rays and fish in the exhibit.
The newest female manta, who measures more than 8 feet across and weighs approximately 425 pounds, was collected off of the coast of Florida. The manta ray is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Threats to manta rays include over fishing while producing few young over a lifetime.
“The Georgia Aquarium is thrilled to grow our manta ray collection with the addition of this second beautiful animal,” said President and COO Anthony Godfrey. “By housing manta rays at the Aquarium, we are able to educate the millions of guests that enter our doors each year about importance of conserving this beautiful creature.”
For the first time in the Aquarium’s history, one lucky person will have the unique opportunity to name a Georgia Aquarium animal. From Sept. 3-Oct. 2, 2009, guests can enter up to five names for the new manta at www.georgiaaquarium.org. One winner will receive an invitation for two to the Planet Shark Opening VIP Party, Planet Shark tickets, four Annual Passes and the opportunity to swim with sharks in the Aquarium's Journey with Gentle Giants program. No purchase necessary.
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The Georgia Aquarium announced today the addition of a second manta ray into The Home Depot’s Ocean Voyager gallery, the largest aquarium exhibit in the world with 6.3 million gallons. The addition of the female manta ray makes the Georgia Aquarium the only aquarium in the United States to ever house two manta rays, and one of only four aquariums in the world to display this species. The new manta ray will join the Aquarium’s original manta, Nandi, four whale sharks and thousands of other species of sharks, rays and fish in the exhibit.
The newest female manta, who measures more than 8 feet across and weighs approximately 425 pounds, was collected off of the coast of Florida. The manta ray is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Threats to manta rays include over fishing while producing few young over a lifetime.
“The Georgia Aquarium is thrilled to grow our manta ray collection with the addition of this second beautiful animal,” said President and COO Anthony Godfrey. “By housing manta rays at the Aquarium, we are able to educate the millions of guests that enter our doors each year about importance of conserving this beautiful creature.”
For the first time in the Aquarium’s history, one lucky person will have the unique opportunity to name a Georgia Aquarium animal. From Sept. 3-Oct. 2, 2009, guests can enter up to five names for the new manta at www.georgiaaquarium.org. One winner will receive an invitation for two to the Planet Shark Opening VIP Party, Planet Shark tickets, four Annual Passes and the opportunity to swim with sharks in the Aquarium's Journey with Gentle Giants program. No purchase necessary.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sandy Toes Takes a Closer Look at Sea Turtles at the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital
Our intrepid "Sandy Toes" reporter recently visited the South Carolina Aquarium. In this video Kelly Thorvalson, Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager, gives a bit of background on the Sea Turtle Hospital and we get a sneak peek at Pirate and other rescued sea turtles.
What can we say? We just love these awesome creatures!
This is the third in a series of articles and videos captured by Sandy Toes as she explored the world of sea turtles this summer. Stay tuned for more to come!
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What can we say? We just love these awesome creatures!
This is the third in a series of articles and videos captured by Sandy Toes as she explored the world of sea turtles this summer. Stay tuned for more to come!
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Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Preparing for a Sea Turtle Release with the South Carolina Aquarium
It was a beautiful day at Kiawah Island in South Carolina on July 26. There was hardly a cloud in the sky as teams of yellow shirt volunteers swarmed Beachwalker County Park. They were there to prepare for the release of three sea turtles who had been patients at the Sea Turtle Hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston.
The excitement began to build as those playing and sunning on the beach realized they were about to witness this special event. For over an hour, over 500 people stood quietly as they waited for the arrival of the honored guests. Volunteers generously spent time talking to the crowd and answering questions about turtle rescues and nests.
Finally, the arrival of Wadmalaw, Kiawah, and Winyah created a flurry of activity and much cheering.
Wadmalaw, a Kemp's ridley, had been a patient for over two years after being caught by a fisherman.
A loggerhead, Kiawah, was lucky. She was found in March 2009 with low blood sugar and was quickly rehabilitated.
The third release, a spunky Kemp's ridley named Winyah, had been found comatose after being caught in a shrimp net last September.
Thank you volunteers and staff of the South Carolina Aquarium. This was truly a rare treat!
See you later,
Sandy Toes
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series about the recent sea turtle release. Be sure to stay tuned as Sandy Toes reveals her impressions on the release of the turtles, comments from volunteers, a special donation by a young Canadian, and a tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital.
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Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sandy Toes Goes on the Scene with Sea Turtles Series
Can you identify this gorgeous sea turtle? This adorable 97 pound or so Loggerhead is currently a patient at the Sea Turtle Hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston and has a remarkable story to share.
Join Sandy Toes on recent adventures with the South Carolina Aquarium in July as three sea turtles were released and for a private tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital at the aquarium in Charleston.
See you soon!
Sandy Toes
Editor's Note: Our own Sandy Toes was invited to join the South Carolina Aquarium on Kiawah Island for the recent sea turtle release and to spend time at the hospital with Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator Kelly Thorvalson. After our staff can pull our eyes off the wonderful videos, we'll be releasing several short videos and articles so our readers can also learn more about these amazing animals.
Many thanks to Kelly for her generous time talking about the program and each turtle.
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
One Boy, One Turtle, A World of Difference
One extremely passionate seven-year-old boy, one very sick sea turtle, four garage sales, three craft shows, 500 homemade turtle chocolates and numerous 10-cent bottle refunds add up to a winning combination for patients in the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Ethan, inspired by a behind-the-scenes tour of the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, has worked diligently for over two years raising funds to support the hospital patients. To his honor, on July 26, 2009, Ethan will join Aquarium staff in releasing Wadmalaw, the Kemp's ridley whose story first inspired him to educate others about the plight of sea turtles and work towards raising money for their treatment. Two other rehabilitated sea turtles, Kiawah and Winyah, will also be released on Sunday, July 26 at 3 p.m. at Beachwalker County Park located on the west end of Kiawah Island, S.C. (Parking is limited and Beachwalker County Park parking fees will apply).
Meet Ethan
Ethan, a resident of Caledonia, Ontario in Canada first came to the Aquarium when he was five years old to deliver $214 he had raised for patients in the Sea Turtle Hospital. On his initial visit, Ethan met Wadmalaw, a critically ill patient. Inspired by his encounter, at home, he continued to educate others and raise money to aid in the medical care of these threatened and endangered species. His passion to-date has added up to enough money to feed eight sea turtle patients for an entire year or to cover a year's worth of medication and procedures for a patient in the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital.
On July 26, Ethan plans to present a $1,000 donation to the Aquarium during the beach release on Kiawah Island. With the July 26 planned gift, Ethan's donations total $2,274. He continues to raise money for the hospital through his own fundraising ideas and has most recently "asked for turtle donations in lieu of gifts from his friends for his birthday" said his mother Shelley Harrison. In school in his hometown of Caledonia, Ontario in Canada, Ethan uses show-and-tell to educate his peers about sea turtles asking them to stop using plastic bags "because sea turtles eat them thinking they are jellyfish" he said. He purchased a reusable bag for each child in his class and asked them to use the reusable bag instead.
In June, Ethan won his school's 'Principal's Award for Student Leadership' due to his conservation efforts for sea turtles and the environment. He was also nominated for both a 'Junior Citizen' award and for an 'Amazing Kid' contest on a local radio station.
About Wadmalaw (Kemp's ridley sea turtle)
Wadmalaw was admitted into the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital on July 11, 2007 after being caught by a fisherman on hook and line on Wadmalaw Island, S.C. The hook was lodged deep in the turtle's mouth and the fisherman was unable to remove it. On the day of Wadmalaw's arrival, under full anesthesia, surgery was performed and the hook was successfully removed. There were also additional complications with this patient. Wadmalaw was floating, not interested in food and was very lethargic. With an unknown future and poor prognosis, staff held out hope and proceeded with treatment for the small turtle which included antibiotic and antifungal injections, vitamin injections and tube feeding. Physical therapy was initiated to keep its flippers from becoming atrophied. In late September, Wadmalaw started to show interest in food and in January 2008 began getting movement back in some of the flippers. By May 2008 after undergoing five sets of radiographs, a CT scan and multiple medications, Wadmalaw started showing signs of great improvement. Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator, Kelly Thorvalson wrote on her blog, "time is this animal's friend," and so it was, as now it is healed and ready for release.
About Winyah (Kemp's ridley sea turtle)
On September 22, 2008 Winyah was found comatose after getting entangled and trapped underwater in a channel net used to catch shrimp in the Winyah Bay in Georgetown, S.C. Upon arrival at the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, staff kept the animal at an angle to drain the fluid from the lungs. An antibiotic regimen was initiated to prevent pneumonia, which would have been likely without treatment. Due to the large amount of fluids, it was evident that while caught in the net the turtle was unable to come to the surface to breathe. Healthy, Winyah is now ready for release.
About Kiawah (loggerhead sea turtle)
Found washed up on Kiawah Island, the juvenile debilitated loggerhead was admitted into the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital on March 28, 2009. The turtle was hypoglycemic, moderately emaciated, dehydrated and covered in small barnacles, algae and skeleton shrimp indicating it had been lethargic for a long time. Fluid therapy, antibiotics, and dextrose were immediately administered. Supportive therapy continued and Kiawah began showing signs of improvement. By May 2009 the turtle was eating well and very active. Having added necessary weight and the bloodwork analyzed, Kiawah is ready for release.
The public is invited to come and join the Aquarium Sunday afternoon July 26 at 3 p.m. at Beachwalker County Park located on the west end of Kiawah Island, S.C. for the sea turtles Wadmalaw, Winyah and Kiawah's beach release. Additionally, Wednesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 25 the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital will be offering additional behind-the-scenes tours at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information or if weather for the release may be questionable please visit scaquarium.org. For advance bookings for the Sea Turtle Hospital tour, please call the Aquarium at (843) 577-FISH (3474).
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Meet Ethan
Ethan, a resident of Caledonia, Ontario in Canada first came to the Aquarium when he was five years old to deliver $214 he had raised for patients in the Sea Turtle Hospital. On his initial visit, Ethan met Wadmalaw, a critically ill patient. Inspired by his encounter, at home, he continued to educate others and raise money to aid in the medical care of these threatened and endangered species. His passion to-date has added up to enough money to feed eight sea turtle patients for an entire year or to cover a year's worth of medication and procedures for a patient in the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital.
On July 26, Ethan plans to present a $1,000 donation to the Aquarium during the beach release on Kiawah Island. With the July 26 planned gift, Ethan's donations total $2,274. He continues to raise money for the hospital through his own fundraising ideas and has most recently "asked for turtle donations in lieu of gifts from his friends for his birthday" said his mother Shelley Harrison. In school in his hometown of Caledonia, Ontario in Canada, Ethan uses show-and-tell to educate his peers about sea turtles asking them to stop using plastic bags "because sea turtles eat them thinking they are jellyfish" he said. He purchased a reusable bag for each child in his class and asked them to use the reusable bag instead.
In June, Ethan won his school's 'Principal's Award for Student Leadership' due to his conservation efforts for sea turtles and the environment. He was also nominated for both a 'Junior Citizen' award and for an 'Amazing Kid' contest on a local radio station.
About Wadmalaw (Kemp's ridley sea turtle)
Wadmalaw was admitted into the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital on July 11, 2007 after being caught by a fisherman on hook and line on Wadmalaw Island, S.C. The hook was lodged deep in the turtle's mouth and the fisherman was unable to remove it. On the day of Wadmalaw's arrival, under full anesthesia, surgery was performed and the hook was successfully removed. There were also additional complications with this patient. Wadmalaw was floating, not interested in food and was very lethargic. With an unknown future and poor prognosis, staff held out hope and proceeded with treatment for the small turtle which included antibiotic and antifungal injections, vitamin injections and tube feeding. Physical therapy was initiated to keep its flippers from becoming atrophied. In late September, Wadmalaw started to show interest in food and in January 2008 began getting movement back in some of the flippers. By May 2008 after undergoing five sets of radiographs, a CT scan and multiple medications, Wadmalaw started showing signs of great improvement. Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator, Kelly Thorvalson wrote on her blog, "time is this animal's friend," and so it was, as now it is healed and ready for release.
About Winyah (Kemp's ridley sea turtle)
On September 22, 2008 Winyah was found comatose after getting entangled and trapped underwater in a channel net used to catch shrimp in the Winyah Bay in Georgetown, S.C. Upon arrival at the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, staff kept the animal at an angle to drain the fluid from the lungs. An antibiotic regimen was initiated to prevent pneumonia, which would have been likely without treatment. Due to the large amount of fluids, it was evident that while caught in the net the turtle was unable to come to the surface to breathe. Healthy, Winyah is now ready for release.
About Kiawah (loggerhead sea turtle)
Found washed up on Kiawah Island, the juvenile debilitated loggerhead was admitted into the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital on March 28, 2009. The turtle was hypoglycemic, moderately emaciated, dehydrated and covered in small barnacles, algae and skeleton shrimp indicating it had been lethargic for a long time. Fluid therapy, antibiotics, and dextrose were immediately administered. Supportive therapy continued and Kiawah began showing signs of improvement. By May 2009 the turtle was eating well and very active. Having added necessary weight and the bloodwork analyzed, Kiawah is ready for release.
The public is invited to come and join the Aquarium Sunday afternoon July 26 at 3 p.m. at Beachwalker County Park located on the west end of Kiawah Island, S.C. for the sea turtles Wadmalaw, Winyah and Kiawah's beach release. Additionally, Wednesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 25 the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital will be offering additional behind-the-scenes tours at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information or if weather for the release may be questionable please visit scaquarium.org. For advance bookings for the Sea Turtle Hospital tour, please call the Aquarium at (843) 577-FISH (3474).
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Georgia Aquarium Welcomes New 'Toothy" Sharks
See the video.
/PRNewswire/ — Georgia Aquarium announced today that new sand tiger sharks have been added into the Ocean Voyager gallery, built by The Home Depot.
The sharks were introduced into the 6.3 million gallon habitat alongside the whale sharks, manta ray and many other species. The new sharks range from five to more than eight feet in length and weigh between 56 and 237 pounds.
"In keeping with the spirit of our New Every Ninety Program, we are very excited to introduce the new sand tiger sharks at Georgia Aquarium," said Gregory Bossart, Senior Vice President and Chief Veterinary Officer at Georgia Aquarium. "Through teaching guests about these scary-looking, yet docile species, the Aquarium will create awareness about their declining numbers."
The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. The sand tiger shark is caught for human consumption, as well as for fishmeal and liver oil, and the fins are used for leather production. The species has the lowest reproductive rate among sharks, giving birth every two years to one or two pups after a gestation period of 9 to 12 months.
According to an independent Harris Poll, 17% of men and 13% of women said that sharks were their favorite aquatic animal. The Georgia Aquarium currently houses whale sharks, zebra sharks, black-tip reef sharks, tasseled wobbegongs, great hammerhead, bonnethead sharks, bamboo sharks, brown-banded bamboo sharks, white-spotted bamboo sharks, epaulette sharks, swell sharks, horn sharks and now sand tiger sharks.
The sand tiger sharks are a part of the Aquarium's New Every Ninety Program, designed to bring a new animal, exhibit or program to the Aquarium every quarter. In August, the Aquarium introduced the Titanic Aquatic exhibit, which has seen 50,000 visitors, as well as Nandi, the first manta ray in a U.S. Aquarium, to kick-off the New Every Ninety Program.
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/PRNewswire/ — Georgia Aquarium announced today that new sand tiger sharks have been added into the Ocean Voyager gallery, built by The Home Depot.
The sharks were introduced into the 6.3 million gallon habitat alongside the whale sharks, manta ray and many other species. The new sharks range from five to more than eight feet in length and weigh between 56 and 237 pounds.
"In keeping with the spirit of our New Every Ninety Program, we are very excited to introduce the new sand tiger sharks at Georgia Aquarium," said Gregory Bossart, Senior Vice President and Chief Veterinary Officer at Georgia Aquarium. "Through teaching guests about these scary-looking, yet docile species, the Aquarium will create awareness about their declining numbers."
The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. The sand tiger shark is caught for human consumption, as well as for fishmeal and liver oil, and the fins are used for leather production. The species has the lowest reproductive rate among sharks, giving birth every two years to one or two pups after a gestation period of 9 to 12 months.
According to an independent Harris Poll, 17% of men and 13% of women said that sharks were their favorite aquatic animal. The Georgia Aquarium currently houses whale sharks, zebra sharks, black-tip reef sharks, tasseled wobbegongs, great hammerhead, bonnethead sharks, bamboo sharks, brown-banded bamboo sharks, white-spotted bamboo sharks, epaulette sharks, swell sharks, horn sharks and now sand tiger sharks.
The sand tiger sharks are a part of the Aquarium's New Every Ninety Program, designed to bring a new animal, exhibit or program to the Aquarium every quarter. In August, the Aquarium introduced the Titanic Aquatic exhibit, which has seen 50,000 visitors, as well as Nandi, the first manta ray in a U.S. Aquarium, to kick-off the New Every Ninety Program.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ga. Tech Facilitates Virtual Aquarium Visit at SC08
AAG Note: A virtual interaction with the Georgia Aquarium? Cool.
The Georgia Institute of Technology will command a significant presence at next week’s SC08, the international conference on high-performance computing, networking, storage and analysis scheduled for Nov. 15-21, 2008, at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.
Georgia Tech will co-chair a workshop, participate in panel discussions, present technical papers and host 16 booth presentations and video interviews on emerging high-performance computing projects and application areas. A highlight of Tech’s interactive booth display will be a virtual field trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Utilizing a high bandwidth (1Gbps) channel connecting the Aquarium to the SC08 show floor, visitors to the Georgia Tech booth will be able to interact with researchers, fish and other marine creatures live.
“At Georgia Tech, we believe a strong and expansive high-performance computing research community drives the bigger scientific discoveries and better engineering capabilities at the heart of human progress,” said Dr. Mark Allen, senior vice provost for Research and Innovation at Georgia Tech. “Through this premier industry event, researchers, academics and industry professionals have the opportunity to discuss and demonstrate new innovations and breakthroughs in high-impact areas such as biomedicine, nanoscience, astrophysics and exascale computing.
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The Georgia Institute of Technology will command a significant presence at next week’s SC08, the international conference on high-performance computing, networking, storage and analysis scheduled for Nov. 15-21, 2008, at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.
Georgia Tech will co-chair a workshop, participate in panel discussions, present technical papers and host 16 booth presentations and video interviews on emerging high-performance computing projects and application areas. A highlight of Tech’s interactive booth display will be a virtual field trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Utilizing a high bandwidth (1Gbps) channel connecting the Aquarium to the SC08 show floor, visitors to the Georgia Tech booth will be able to interact with researchers, fish and other marine creatures live.
“At Georgia Tech, we believe a strong and expansive high-performance computing research community drives the bigger scientific discoveries and better engineering capabilities at the heart of human progress,” said Dr. Mark Allen, senior vice provost for Research and Innovation at Georgia Tech. “Through this premier industry event, researchers, academics and industry professionals have the opportunity to discuss and demonstrate new innovations and breakthroughs in high-impact areas such as biomedicine, nanoscience, astrophysics and exascale computing.
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Georgia Aquarium to Introduce New "Toothy" Sharks
Sand Tiger Sharks to Debut by Thanksgiving
Georgia Aquarium is excited to announce the arrival of six new sand tiger sharks. The sharks are currently located at the Aquarium’s offsite quarantine facility and will be introduced into the Ocean Voyager gallery built by The Home Depot before Thanksgiving.
The three male and three female sharks will go into the 6.3 million gallon habitat alongside the whale sharks and manta ray. The new sharks range from five to more than eight feet in length and weigh between 56 and 237 pounds.
“These sharks are big and display a mouthful of sharp teeth, so we know that they will become a new guest favorite,” said Mike Leven, CEO of Georgia Aquarium. “Even though they are scary looking to some, we are excited to introduce them to our guests as the docile species they are, and spread the word on their declining numbers due to overfishing.”
The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. The sand tiger shark is caught for human consumption, as well as for fishmeal and liver oil, and the fins are used for leather production. The species has the lowest reproductive rate among sharks, giving birth every two years to one or two pups after a gestation period of 9 to 12 months.
According to an independent Harris Poll, 17% of men and 13% of women said that sharks were their favorite aquatic animal. The Georgia Aquarium currently houses whale sharks, zebra sharks, black-tip reef sharks, tasseled wobbegongs, great hammerhead, bonnethead sharks, bamboo sharks, brown-banded bamboo sharks, white-spotted bamboo sharks, epaulette sharks, swell sharks, horn sharks and now sand tiger sharks.
The sand tiger sharks are a part of the Aquarium’s New Every Ninety Program, designed to bring a new animal, exhibit or program to the Aquarium every quarter. In August, the Aquarium introduced the Titanic Aquatic exhibit, which has seen 50,000 visitors, as well as Nandi, the first manta ray in a U.S. Aquarium, to kick-off the New Every Ninety Program.
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Georgia Aquarium is excited to announce the arrival of six new sand tiger sharks. The sharks are currently located at the Aquarium’s offsite quarantine facility and will be introduced into the Ocean Voyager gallery built by The Home Depot before Thanksgiving.
The three male and three female sharks will go into the 6.3 million gallon habitat alongside the whale sharks and manta ray. The new sharks range from five to more than eight feet in length and weigh between 56 and 237 pounds.
“These sharks are big and display a mouthful of sharp teeth, so we know that they will become a new guest favorite,” said Mike Leven, CEO of Georgia Aquarium. “Even though they are scary looking to some, we are excited to introduce them to our guests as the docile species they are, and spread the word on their declining numbers due to overfishing.”
The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. The sand tiger shark is caught for human consumption, as well as for fishmeal and liver oil, and the fins are used for leather production. The species has the lowest reproductive rate among sharks, giving birth every two years to one or two pups after a gestation period of 9 to 12 months.
According to an independent Harris Poll, 17% of men and 13% of women said that sharks were their favorite aquatic animal. The Georgia Aquarium currently houses whale sharks, zebra sharks, black-tip reef sharks, tasseled wobbegongs, great hammerhead, bonnethead sharks, bamboo sharks, brown-banded bamboo sharks, white-spotted bamboo sharks, epaulette sharks, swell sharks, horn sharks and now sand tiger sharks.
The sand tiger sharks are a part of the Aquarium’s New Every Ninety Program, designed to bring a new animal, exhibit or program to the Aquarium every quarter. In August, the Aquarium introduced the Titanic Aquatic exhibit, which has seen 50,000 visitors, as well as Nandi, the first manta ray in a U.S. Aquarium, to kick-off the New Every Ninety Program.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Georgia Aquarium to Celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week
Guests are invited to join the Georgia Aquarium in celebrating Sea Otter Awareness Week Sept 21 – 27, 2008. The Aquarium, along with sea otters Oz and Gracie, will educate visitors regarding conservation efforts and facts about sea otters through exciting activities, interactive storytelling and educational information.
Throughout the week, Oz and Gracie will be profiled, highlighting their unique personalities and journey to the Aquarium. Guests will learn about the Aquarium’s rehabilitation efforts and 4R Program that is designed to positively impact the health and well-being of aquatic life from around the world. Additionally, biologists will be on-hand to conduct training and enrichment sessions with the sea others.
As a keystone species, sea otters play an integral role in the ecosystem and health of our oceans. They help maintain the balance among thousands of kelp forest inhabitants. Sea otters also act as an indicator species, meaning that their high rates of disease may be a warning for both marine ecosystems and human health. In order to help the plight of the sea otter, public awareness and education is imperative. Currently, they are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and are protected by the Endangered Species Act and The Marine Mammal Protection Act. By becoming an advocate for sea otters and other aquatic life, individuals can make a difference by protecting and saving the marine environment that sea otters call home.
Daily activities for Sea Otter Awareness Week include:
· Arts & Crafts – Guests can create their own sea otter mask!
· Animal Interpreters – On-hand to educate guests about sea otters.
· Conservation Carts – Sea otter pelts and replica otter skulls will be available to touch and examine.
· Plus biologist sessions and enrichment activities with Oz and Gracie, storytelling, videos and more!
For additional information on Sea Otter Awareness Week please visit the Aquarium’s Web site at www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitUs/seaotterweek.aspx or call 404-581-4000.
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Throughout the week, Oz and Gracie will be profiled, highlighting their unique personalities and journey to the Aquarium. Guests will learn about the Aquarium’s rehabilitation efforts and 4R Program that is designed to positively impact the health and well-being of aquatic life from around the world. Additionally, biologists will be on-hand to conduct training and enrichment sessions with the sea others.
As a keystone species, sea otters play an integral role in the ecosystem and health of our oceans. They help maintain the balance among thousands of kelp forest inhabitants. Sea otters also act as an indicator species, meaning that their high rates of disease may be a warning for both marine ecosystems and human health. In order to help the plight of the sea otter, public awareness and education is imperative. Currently, they are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and are protected by the Endangered Species Act and The Marine Mammal Protection Act. By becoming an advocate for sea otters and other aquatic life, individuals can make a difference by protecting and saving the marine environment that sea otters call home.
Daily activities for Sea Otter Awareness Week include:
· Arts & Crafts – Guests can create their own sea otter mask!
· Animal Interpreters – On-hand to educate guests about sea otters.
· Conservation Carts – Sea otter pelts and replica otter skulls will be available to touch and examine.
· Plus biologist sessions and enrichment activities with Oz and Gracie, storytelling, videos and more!
For additional information on Sea Otter Awareness Week please visit the Aquarium’s Web site at www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitUs/seaotterweek.aspx or call 404-581-4000.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Georgia Aquarium Makes U.S. History with Display of Manta Ray
AAG Note: The Georgia Aquarium is among our favorite destinations in the Atlanta area. We have been there several times and still marvel at the beauty of the animals shown.
The manta ray is the largest of all rays, weighing up to 6,000 lbs and measuring up to 26 feet in width. It has a unique body shape, with an extremely broad head and an enormous, wide mouth flanked by two broad, flexible lobes. These fins are kept rolled and pointed forward, except when the manta is feeding. Its tail is whip-like, but short, and does not have a barb or spine. The manta ray is primarily a plankton feeder, but also consumes small and moderate-sized fishes. It is listed as "near threatened" on the IUCN Red List.
PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Aquarium announced today the addition of a manta ray to the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager gallery, built by The Home Depot. The addition of the female manta ray, Nandi, makes Georgia Aquarium the only aquarium in the United States to ever house a manta ray and one of only four aquariums in the world to display this species. Nandi will join four whale sharks and thousands of other animals in the world's largest aquarium exhibit.
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The manta ray is the largest of all rays, weighing up to 6,000 lbs and measuring up to 26 feet in width. It has a unique body shape, with an extremely broad head and an enormous, wide mouth flanked by two broad, flexible lobes. These fins are kept rolled and pointed forward, except when the manta is feeding. Its tail is whip-like, but short, and does not have a barb or spine. The manta ray is primarily a plankton feeder, but also consumes small and moderate-sized fishes. It is listed as "near threatened" on the IUCN Red List.
PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Aquarium announced today the addition of a manta ray to the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager gallery, built by The Home Depot. The addition of the female manta ray, Nandi, makes Georgia Aquarium the only aquarium in the United States to ever house a manta ray and one of only four aquariums in the world to display this species. Nandi will join four whale sharks and thousands of other animals in the world's largest aquarium exhibit.
"As the Georgia Aquarium grows as a tourist destination, our opportunity to promote conservation and education grows," said Mike Leven, chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium. "The addition of Nandi, who inspired hundreds of thousands of people in South Africa, gives us the opportunity to elevate her as an ambassador for her species. Millions of people who may have never had the chance to see a manta ray will now have that chance at the Georgia Aquarium."
Nandi, who measures more than nine feet across and weighs approximately 456 lbs, flew 9,000 miles on a chartered 747-200 aircraft from Durban, South Africa through Cape Verde, Africa, to Atlanta. The manta ray was under the care and supervision of Georgia Aquarium and uShaka Marine World professional staff and maintained by a highly advanced marine life support system.
"The Georgia Aquarium's success in moving whale sharks across the world gave us confidence that this was the right thing to do," said Dr. Mark Penning, executive director of uShaka Marine World. "We see this as a perfect opportunity to create an international partnership and continue Nandi's incredible story, raising worldwide awareness about manta rays."
Nandi was rescued from shark nets off the coast of Durban, South Africa, in April 2007 and rehabilitated by uShaka Marine World, the largest marine park in Africa. She has lived in uShaka for the past year, educating and inspiring conservation in more than 500,000 people.
Manta rays are the largest rays in the sea, but Nandi was young when she was rescued, measuring just more than eight feet across and weighing around 245 lbs. She had since outgrown her 580,000 gallon exhibit. In order to raise worldwide awareness about manta rays, Georgia Aquarium and uShaka created an international partnership to bring Nandi from South Africa to Georgia Aquarium.
"No one has ever done this before," said Leven. "Flying the world's largest ray, a manta ray, from one side of the world to the other and housing it in a U.S. aquarium for the first time is incredible. Having the opportunity to work with this animal and grow our understanding of this strange yet gentle giant will be an opportunity of a lifetime."
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