by Mike Guardabascio
When the Aquarium of the Pacific (better known as the Aquarium) first opened, I was 14, and my dad purchased annual memberships for us as a way of supporting it. We went a half dozen times that year, and since then I’ve been back a grand total of once. All of that is to explain why I was so pleasantly surprised by the new exhibits and redevelopments the Aquarium sports, all of which are on prime display right now as the Aquarium celebrates its tenth anniversary, beginning today.
There are all sorts of tributes to the number 10 as part of the celebrations, from the informative—a list of ten major threats to oceanic wildlife—to the silly—a list of the top ten favorite species at the Aquarium, voted on by the public. That list, by the way, includes such stalwart favorites as the sea otter and lions, as well as dark horse candidates like sea jellies. As part of the year-long celebration, the Aquarium is opening a new exhibit today, called Ocean on the Edge. The exhibit is a multimedia display of the many dangers facing the “one world ocean” that covers the majority of the planet and links all land life together; it’s well-assembled and informative, and is sure to be a hit with frequent visitors looking for something new.
But there will be plenty of other new material as well, including a short tribute film on the history of the Aquarium, which will play throughout the day all year long, and new program animals such as desert tortoises and blue-tongue skinks. If you’ve got weary feet, look for one of drum group Pacific Percussion’s ten daily performances this year to perk up your spirits. If you have the extra money, I’d also recommend paying for the new behind-the-scenes animal encounters, which run $90 ($80 for members). The media at the anniversary launch event were treated to a sampling of these intimate experiences, like getting to feed Charlie the sea otter, petting a zebra shark, and watching a horned puffin waddle around in between our feet. They’re unique and personal events, and the money helps the Aquarium continue their heralded husbandry and research programs, designed to help facilitate diverse oceanic life in an increasingly dangerous environment.
It was great to see the Aquarium celebrate itself a little bit. Often controversial, as one of many options for the downtown area it was built in, the Aquarium has been unappreciated by many residents, as it quietly carries on its research and great kids’ programs. It’s also been boosted by a number of local residents putting in volunteer hours, as earlier this year they recorded their millionth donated volunteer hour. And after my experience there today, I’d say their future looks bright. If the rest of this year is as fun and exciting as the launch party was, then I think it’s safe to say that in ten years, the Aquarium can look back on these tenth anniversary celebrations as another major milestone in its already rich history.
Charlie the otter obeys a command to make a cute pose.
Signs of the celebration are all over the Aquarium.
The anniversary special “Ocean Impacts” exhibit highlights the idea that all oceans combine to create one world ocean, and looks toward preservation for the future.
Staffer Kaci Olson and an eight-year-old nurse shark. Guests can swim and pet this shark and some like it in the behind-the-scenes package.
This Great Horned Puffin was a bit shy but very regal. The opportunity to meet one of these marine birds is available with the behind-the-scenes tour.
Dan “The Bird Man” is a longtime Aquarium volunteer, and here sports a shirt with the nickname that his wife coined embroidered on it.
Charlie hunts for shrimp through his feeding hole.