Aquarium of the Pacific
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| Date opened | June 20, 1998 |
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| Location | Long Beach, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 33°45′44″N 118°11′49″W / 33.76216°N 118.19692°WCoordinates: 33°45′44″N 118°11′49″W / 33.76216°N 118.19692°W |
| Number of animals | 11,000[1] |
| Number of species | 500[1] |
| Volume of largest tank | 350,000 US gallons (1,300,000 l)[2] |
| Memberships | Association of Zoos and Aquariums[3] |
| Website | Aquarium of the Pacific |
The Aquarium of the Pacific (formerly the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific[2]) is an aquarium on a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California, United States. It is situated across the water from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction.[4]
The Aquarium sees 1.5 million visitors a year and has a total staff of over 900 people including more than 300 employees and about 650 volunteers.[4] It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit aquarium.
The Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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[edit] Exhibits
The Aquarium features a collection of over 11,000 animals representing over 500 different species. It focuses on the Pacific Ocean in three major permanent galleries, sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific.[1]
Popular exhibits include the interactive Shark Lagoon (guests can pet sharks and sting rays) and Lorikeet Forest (guests can feed nectar to colorful lorikeet birds). Exhibits introduce the inhabitants and seascapes of the Pacific, while also focusing on specific conservation messages associated with each region. Exhibits range in size and capacity from about 5,000 to 350,000 gallons.[2]
In Spring 2010, the Aquarium opened a new 4,700-square-foot (440 m2) Earth-Friendly Garden on its front lawn. The garden features California native and drought-resistant plants, as well as a very efficient irrigation system, to show part of the solution to Southern California's ongoing water shortage problems.[5]
[edit] Activities
Activities of the Aquarium of the Pacific employees and volunteers extend far beyond exhibits. The diverse marine science and conservation ventures include: breeding and conservation programs for endangered marine animals and habitats; housing of unreleasable seals, sea lions, and sea otters from local care centers and marine parks; beach and habitat cleanups; a variety of green business practices; and continuing efforts to educate visitors on the importance the ocean, its threats, and conservation, including the hazards of marine pollution, over-harvesting, habitat destruction and global climate change.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is also home to many cultural events throughout the year, such as the Pacific Islander Festival in the summer, the Moompetam Festival in the fall, special treats for the animals at Christmas, the Festival of Human Abilities in January, and the African Heritage Festival in February.
[edit] Architecture
The Aquarium architecture is inspired by the towering, breaking waves of the Pacific and mirrors the fluid and dynamic temper of the ocean. Kajima International, developers of the world’s most critically acclaimed and technologically advanced aquariums, was the developer of the Aquarium of the Pacific and architects included the Los Angeles office of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassanbaum and Esherick Homsey Dodge and Davis of San Francisco. Construction was a joint venture of Turner Construction Company and Kajima International. Construction of the Aquarium was completed on June 20, 1998 when the Aquarium opened to the public.[6]
[edit] Gallery
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Blue Cavern exhibit, designed to replicate the ocean in a Southern California kelp forest.
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Entrance to tropical gallery, designed to replicate a tropical coral reef lagoon.
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California Sea Lion during training session.
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Top of 350,000 gallon tropical habitat, viewable only during behind the scenes tours.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Aquarium Exhibits". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ a b c http://long-beach-aquarium-of-the-pacific.visit-los-angeles.com/
- ^ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. Association of Zoos and Aquariums. http://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list/. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
- ^ a b "About Us". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/about/. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ "New Earth-Friendly Garden Opens at the Aquarium". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/newsdetail/new_earth-friendly_garden_opens_at_the_aquarium/. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ "Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, CA". beachcalifornia.com. BeachCalifornia.com. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/aquarium.html. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aquarium of the Pacific |
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