Results tagged “aquarium”

The death toll of 2009 keeps growing; the New York Aquarium has just announced that their walrus Akituusaq has died after suffering complications from pneumonia. Their statement reads: "During the past few days, Akituusaq had been under special care by Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians and received round-the-clock attention. Working tirelessly, WCS staff closely monitored his status and provided dedicated medical care. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved walrus Akituusaq and are proud of the exemplary care that our entire staff provided during this critical time. We know Brooklyn was proud of Akituusaq and many loved him. This is a loss to the whole community." As you might recall, he only just celebrated his 2nd birthday; he was born in the aquarium on June 12th, 2007—and the WCS noted that "walrus births in aquariums are very rare with only 5 surviving to one year of age."

Is an aquarium the best place to revive Smell-O-Vision? Either way, it looks like Wonka will meet the water soon—the New York Aquarium is ready to give their visitors a 4-D experience, allowing them "to taste the salty sea water and surf." Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4:D Experience is the latest attraction to come to the Coney Island establishment and will be in full effect starting March 21st. The 4-D Immersion Theater includes sensory affects like water mist, a neck air blast, leg ticklers and seat vibrations. All that's missing is a manatee lap dance! Tickets will range from $9 to $13, and feeling as though you are "gliding alongside a cast of balletic sea lions as they dive through vast swirling bait balls of anchovy" sounds like a nice way to help bail out the aquarium, no? [via SILive]

There's more bad news for New York's animals, and the humans that take care of them: The Daily News is reporting that Bronx Zoo and New York aquarium staffs are facing layoffs in light of the proposed budget cuts. "As many as 130 staffers could be laid off," they told the paper, who reiterates that "The Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the facilities, is facing $15 million in government funding cuts from its $103 million annual budget this year, and the state will cut off all funding in 2010." The layoffs will hit everyone (and the porcupine was already let go), from administration to sales to groundskeeping—sending both union and non-union employees to the unemployment office. The news was delivered to staff yesterday by WCS President Steven Sanderson, who told the paper that, in the end, if they can't afford to keep the animals, "then we have to try to find a better place for them."

Yesterday there was word of Bronx Zoo funding going the way of the dodo, as Gov. Paterson’s budget proposal promises to eliminate it in two years. The Daily News reports that the cutbacks would also effect "museums across the state — including the New York Botanical Garden and Wave Hill in the Bronx." The Brooklyn Eagle has more today on cutbacks that will hit the borough, where the only good news is that the Prospect Park Zoo won't be effected. The paper reports that with the proposal the BBG's in-house exhibits and educational programs would suffer, and the institute's president said, "We can understand a reasonable reduction, but a 55 percent cut, followed by the elimination of the fund itself, is too much." All in all 76 zoos, botanic gardens and aquariums are on the funding chopping block—and the main problem here is, of course, that “animals don’t stop eating and don’t stop needing care."

The New York Aquarium is mourning the loss of Bertha (pictured), their 43-year-old sand tiger shark who has resided in its waters since 1965. While their average life spans aren't known, Bertha was believed to have been the longest living sand tiger shark in any aquarium.