Exploris
| Exploris | |
|---|---|
,_October_2009.JPG) | |
,_October_2009.JPG) Entrance to the aquarium | |
 | |
| 54°22′55″N 5°32′56″W / 54.382°N 5.549°W | |
| Date opened | 1987,[1] 2016 |
| Date closed | 2014 |
| Location | Portaferry, Northern Ireland |
| Land area | Ards and North Down |
| Annual visitors | Around 100,000 |
| Website | www.exploris.org.uk |
Exploris is a public aquarium situated in Portaferry, Northern Ireland. The facility is located on the shores of the Marine Nature reserve of Strangford Lough, which is an important winter migration destination for many wading and sea birds. The lough is home to almost 75% of the marine species found in Northern Ireland, including common seals, basking sharks and brent geese. Three quarters of the world population of pale bellied brent geese spend winter in the lough area. Exploris illustrates and exhibits the large variety of animals that live in Strangford Lough.[1][2]
Exploris was closed in late 2014 for refurbishment.
The aquarium is set to reopen in summer 2016 following an investment of close to £1.5m in refurbishment works and with the help of Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd, who are the operators.
References
- ^ a b "About Exploris: Background". exploris.org.uk. Exploris. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ^ "Waterways – Strangford Lough". bbc.co.uk. BBC. February 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
External links
Media related to Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
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