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Friday, January 3, 2020

From the Mystic Aquarium....



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Charlotte

Whether it’s a school field trip, a family outing or a first date, for over 45 years, Mystic Aquarium has been a place where lasting memories are made. Equally important, Mystic Aquarium is a place where injured animals are rehabbed, non-releasable animals find a home and all receive world-class animal care. Through the work of educators, veterinarians and research scientists, it is also where advancements are made toward ocean conservation.
For those reasons and more, Mystic Aquarium was named as one of the “Top Ten Best Aquariums” in the 2019 USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards – and that’s all thanks to you! As we step into a new year (and new decade!), we’d like to take a look back on some of the past 365 days-worth of Aquarium accomplishments…

OPENING NEW SPACES & GUEST EXPERIENCES


  • The grand opening of our Milne Ocean Science and Conservation Center; featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, a new space for our Sea School Preschool and a conservation-focused Aquaculture Lab.
  • The Main Gallery expansion included three new interactive experiences: Wild Arctic, our augmented reality exhibit, immerses you into a digital Arctic environment; Plastic Free Seas shows how microplastics linger long after larger plastic debris is removed and Touch of the Tropics gets you hands-on with aquatic species native to the Caribbean.
  • We introduced our inaugural holiday lights experience, Northern Lights, welcoming thousands from near and far to explore our outdoor pathways in a ‘new light.’

WELCOMING NEW MARINE MAMMAL AMBASSADORS WITH STORIES THAT INSPIRE ACTION


·         Natasha joined Kela and Juno at the Arctic Coast where groundbreaking research takes place in an effort to learn more about wild populations of beluga.
·         Born to one of our harbor seal ambassadors, Pearl, Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) made an early-morning appearance on June 9 between the animal trainer’s “pup watch” shifts.
·         Mother/son duo Yura & Tuk found their forever home with us after stranding in California. Due to their exposure to domoic acid, both were deemed non-releasable.
·         Dash, the male addition to our colony of California sea lions, was also rescued in California after being abandoned at birth and deemed non-releasable.
·         And Nuna, a spotted seal who joined our other spotted seal at the Pacific Northwest habitat, was ultimately deemed non-releasable after being rescued in Alaska amid an Unusual Mortality Event.


A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR


Our Animal Rescue Program started 2019 with record-breaking sightings: the team received 198 calls to their hotline of reported seal sightings and responded to 124 strandings. That’s a great increase from the ten-year average of 70 sightings and 70 strandings. By year’s end, the team released 19 seals, including Lou-Seal, an international rescue tale and the Program’s first adult gray seal, and rehabilitated their first endangered Green sea turtle that was later released in Florida following its recovery.


2020 VISION


Every year, we bring new and exciting opportunities to Mystic Aquarium. This year, we’ll bring you a new and enhanced shark touch experience in the Main Gallery. We also look forward to recognizing the Golden Anniversary of Earth Day by collaborating with other Mystic businesses for a week-long celebration. And, our Summer Camp programming will expand to offer a week-long experience for adults!
2020 Summer Camps



Northern Lights

LAST CALL TO #GETLIT!


Tonight launches the final days of our inaugural Northern Lights holiday experience with the culmination on Saturday, January 4. The family-friendly event has received glowing reviews. It’s sure to become the newest holiday tradition for generations to come. If you haven’t experienced the wonder yet, it’s not too late! Purchase tickets in advance through the button below.


SEAWHAT'S COMING UP

 


  • January 2 – 4 Last chance to experience the inaugural Northern Lights experience
  • Saturday’s in January It’s game on at the Aquarium during Family Game Days


SAVE THE DATE!


Saturday, February 15

Mystic Aquarium's 7th Annual Seal Splash
An arctic plunge in support of the Animal Rescue Program

When you shop Smile.Amazon and select Sea Research Foundation, Inc. as your chosen non-profit, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Mystic Aquarium. So save Smile.Amazon to your favorites and shop, shop, shop - the Aquarium will thank you!

Mystic Aquarium logo


Mystic Aquarium is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education and research.

MYSTIC AQUARIUM
55 Coogan Boulevard | Mystic, CT 06355
MysticAquarium.org | 860.572.5955