Shark View, Courtesy of Oklahoma Aquarium
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Aquariums are simultaneously fun places to spend the day and educational resources to further your understanding of sea life and its vital role in the sustainability of our planet. Here are a few of the best:
1. Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium is located on a stretch of coral reef on the island of Oahu, opened in 1904 and is the third oldest aquarium in the United States. With the mission to inspire and promote the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life, Waikiki Aquarium is home to 3,000 marine animals, representing more than 500 species of aquatic creatures and plants. More than showcasing local underwater life, the coral propagation and ocean conservation programs and research projects have been designed to restore, protect, manage and maintain native Hawaiian and endangered species, including the oldest and largest collection of living corals in the US.
2. The Oklahoma Aquarium
The Oklahoma Aquarium takes a "hands-on" approach to learning, allowing guests touch and feed opportunities in order to have a real experience with life often left untouched. Not to worry, there is no actual interaction with the 20 sharks in the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure walk-through tunnel and dome, a 500,000 gallon shark tank that 20 sharks currently call home, including lemon, sand tiger, nurse, and bull sharks. "Take home" fish and animal facts explain that importance of particular animals on the overall health of our planet.
Take Home Fact: Sharks are the garbage men of the ocean. They help to clean up the gunk that dirties the water. Without them, we'd face problems of overpopulation of some species.
3. Moody Gardens Aquarium
Moody Gardnens Aquarium in Galveston, Texas represents four different ocean areas: South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific and Caribbean. The pyramid-shaped building shows views from multi-levels, allowing visitors to observe the world's oceans from nearly 360 degrees. Guests also get a chance to have a "meet and greet" with a penguin at the Penguin Encounter where five species and over 100 penguins live. The Rain forest Pyramid is a true replica of an actual rain forest, teaching visitors the importance of conservation by presenting the practical uses of rain forest plants and how they are used for food, medicine and shelter. While having lots of fun and giving visitors a glimpse of the aquatic world, the mission of Moody Gardens is conservation and education.
4. The Georgia Aquarium
With more than eight million gallons of fresh and marine water, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world and the only place outside of Asia where guests can experience, among many things, the world's largest fish—whale sharks. More than displaying some of the most show-stopping sea life, Georgia Aquarium prides themselves on their "4R Program": Rehabilitation, Responsibility, Rescue and Research with current initiatives focusing on beluga whales, sea turtles, and sea otters.
- Rehabilitation: Their animal health facilities are used to rehabilitate injured aquatic animals through medical treatment and rehab.
- Responsibility: Georgia Aquarium strives to be a global steward, representing responsible choices including a recycling program and conservation efforts.
- Rescue: Combining veterinary and husbandry expertise, vital care and a safe environment are offered to both injured and endangered animals, saving them from wild or unhealthy captive environments.
- Research: From ocean exploration to aquaculture, from infectious diseases to marine ecology, the Georgia Aquarium is deeply involved in furthering scientific knowledge of aquatic life, collaborating with researchers around the world to study, analyze and make discoveries with the goal of increasing our understanding of aquatic ecosystems and conserve aquatic biodiversity.
5. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, Louisiana, has reopened its doors after being forced to close following Hurricane Katrina. But more than merely reopening, the aquarium has come back to life with a new spirit and renewed philosophy focusing on the animal and plant life of the Gulf of Mexico as well as the effects of eroding wetlands and hurricanes. The popular Penguin Colony with African Black-footed and the Rockhopper penguins are reclaiming the spotlight, as are local favorites like Spots-- the white alligator with blue eyes, an endangered species and one of just 18 found in a Louisiana swamp that is apparently good luck (that's according to Cajun lore). King Midas, the 300 pound sea turtle, is back home too, along with 15,000 other sea life creatures, representing nearly 600 species. And then there's the Caribbean Reef, a 30-foot-long water-filled tunnel that lets guests get up close, personal, and even eye-to-eye with both tropical fish and sharks.
6. Miami Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium in Miami, Florida consists of 38 landscaped acres of marine life entertainment including a mix of exhibits, shows, and attractions. It's more than a mere aquarium. It's a theme park with a Whale & Dolphin Stadium, Flipper Lagoon (which happens to be the film location for much of the popular 1960s television show "Flipper"), and Discovery Bay where an endangered mangrove habitat that's home to twenty-six Nile Crocodiles and other natural coexisting wildlife coexist. During the Discovery Bay Presentation, guests learn about native wildlife and are taught how to protect the marine-life featured, especially the endangered sea turtles. The Manatee exhibit, part of the rescue and rehabilitation program at Miami Seaquarium, lets guests come face-to-face with Florida's state marine mammal through poolside and underwater viewing areas.
7. The non-profit Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Southern California is one of the largest, most interactive, and greenest aquariums in the country. Housed in a carbon-neutral building, the Aquarium is considered to be a Climate Action Leader, dedicated to environmental education through various programs and initiatives including voluntarily measuring, certifying, and reporting of their green house gas emissions to the Climate Action Registry to continually reduce their carbon footprint. More than their commitment to educate on environmental responsibility, the aquarium believes in creating personal connections with animals, which is why many of the exhibits are experiential, allowing guests to touch and sometimes feed many of the over 10,000 animals. This includes some of the 150 sharks in their shark touch exhibit, helping to debunk shark myths first hand and inspire shark conservation. Want more? You can even slip on a wetsuit and swim around with them! The aquarium's veterinary program is one of the top, with experts constantly developing new techniques to help endangered species, as well as maintaining rescue and release efforts to animals in need. Their current conservation research project is with endangered sea turtles that were recently discovered living in an urban concrete river instead of the Tropical waters they frequent. Truly, the environmental education classes, lectures, festivals, and events (from sleepovers to wildlife boat and kayaking programs) are limitless and an absolute must to get involved with.
Read More about Oceans and Water Issues with Planet Green's Blue August
More on Aquariums:
Create an Ocean-Friendly Aquarium
Green Glossary: Kelp Forests
Battleground Earth Episode: Heal the Bay
How to Increase Your Aquarium's Energy Efficiency
What's Your Oceans IQ?
