Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium
Date opened	1973
Location	Mystic, Connecticut, USA
Memberships	AZA
Website	http://www.mysticaquarium.org/

The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is an aquarium and oceanography institute in Mystic, Connecticut. The aquarium is notable for being one of only 4 aquariums in the world to have an intact male Steller Sea Lion, as well as being the first to attempt artificial insemination on a Beluga Whale. Some other exhibits include a ray touch pool, a penguin exhibit, and a bat cave.

The Institute for Exploration features maps, diagrams, and models from Dr. Robert Ballard's explorations of the Black Sea and of the wreck of the RMS Titanic.

History

Mystic Aquarium was first opened in 1973 as a privately owned corporation. Industrialist, philanthropist, and principal shareholder Kelvin Smith chose Mystic, Connecticut as the site for the aquarium because of the area's scenic shoreline and rich maritime history. In 1999, the aquarium and Ballard's Institute for Exploration combined to form a $52 million dollar expansion. The expansion featured the Arctic Coast, which is a one–acre outdoor beluga whale display, containing 750,000 gallons of water.

Animals

"Mystic Aquarium" is the home of beluga whales, stellar sea lions, california sea lions, fur seals, African Black Footed Penguins, Moon Jellies, Sea Stars, Bats, Unicorn Fish, Blue Tang, Octopus, Leopard Shark, Sheephead Fish, Horn Sharks

References

Staff feeding Pinnipeds at the aquarium

External links

• Official site
• Site for Volunteer Divers at Mystic Aquarium
• / Loding Near Mystic Aquarium