Aquarium of Niagara Aquarium of Niagara News

Making waves: Aquarium of Niagara plans expansion for seals, sea lions
It is exciting news for a guy who grew up in Niagara Falls. The aquarium has always been the butt of many jokes locally over the years. But under the current leadership they have renovated most of the current building. The area of the aquarium that has always been the saddest for me is the massively undersized pool for the seals outdoors. With the aquarium finally able to expand the building and the first project being for the seals and sea lions this is very good news indeed.
 
zoosnbrews said:
Making waves: Aquarium of Niagara plans expansion for seals, sea lions
It is exciting news for a guy who grew up in Niagara Falls. The aquarium has always been the butt of many jokes locally over the years. But under the current leadership they have renovated most of the current building. The area of the aquarium that has always been the saddest for me is the massively undersized pool for the seals outdoors. With the aquarium finally able to expand the building and the first project being for the seals and sea lions this is very good news indeed.
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What jokes would be made at the Aquarium's expense?
 
2022 News:

On February 8th, the aquarium announced that they moved (0.0.2+) French grunts into the Oceans Alcove area which have since gone on public display.

Also on February 8th, it was reported that the aquarium is working with officials to lease the closed Niagra Gorge Discovery Center next door to the facility and reopen it by the end of 2022.

Did you ever wonder how new animals are added to an exhibit? Acclimation is an important process to slowly introduce animals to a different environment.... | By Aquarium of Niagara | Facebook
https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/l...first/71-905edd36-f9f4-4346-a20c-3ee2f5fbeb13

On February 26th, the aquarium announced that they joined the Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals (AMZAP).

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On March 16th, the aquarium announced that a (1.0) Humboldt penguin named Lou passed away at age 22 due to natural causes.

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On March 26th, the aquarium announced that they moved a (0.1) harbor seal named Sandy off-exhibit due to health concerns. On April 5th, the aquarium announced Sandy passed away at age 41 due to declining health.

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On April 4th, the aquarium announced they opened a new exhibit for dwarf cuttlefish, a first for the facility.

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On April 9th, the aquarium announced that due to avian influenza, they suspended penguin-related programs.

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On April 15th, the aquarium announced that (2.0) Humboldt penguins hatched. They were later named PJ and Cusco.

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Our chick officially has a name! Thank you to everyone who voted, the winner is... CUSCO! We had over 1500 total votes and Cusco took over 50%. Make... | By Aquarium of Niagara | Facebook

On May 27th, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.1) Atlantic stingray named Kahlua which is now on exhibit in the M&T Bank Shark & Ray Bay.

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On June 17th, the aquarium announced they opened a new welcome plaza area called Whirlpool Commons to the public.

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On June 29th, the aquarium announced they added a new exhibit for Pacific spiny lumpsuckers, which is another first for the facility in 2022.

Say Hello To The Lumpsuckers! | There's always something new happening at AON. Today, we are excited to announce that our Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are now on exhibit! These unique... | By Aquarium of Niagara | Facebook

On August 10th, the aquarium announced that they acquired a (0.1) white-spotted bamboo shark named Mimosa which is now on exhibit.

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On October 7th, the aquarium debuted a new logo for the facility.

Where Inspiration Swims | Our new brand is the beginning of a new chapter at the Aquarium of Niagara - a chapter that focuses on our exciting future. Discover the Aquarium of... | By Aquarium of Niagara | Facebook
 
It'll be interesting to see what this proposed expansion includes. I've visited this aquarium twice, and both times was very much disappointed in regards regards both the size and the quality of this zoo, it's shocking how the AZA allows them to stay accredited. I'd hope that the aquarium prioritizes new pinniped exhibits as part of this expansion. The seal exhibit in particular was the worst exhibit for a large mammal I've seen in an AZA zoo, would be adequate, but not great, for a pair of Otters, way too small for the four Seals currently housed. Sea Lion exhibit was barely any better. Barring these two habitats, it's an okay, but not great, tiny aquariums- with a nice penguin habitat and a nice shark/ray touch tank. Will be very interested in seeing what this expansion entails, but my dream for it would be prioritizing higher quality pinniped habitats.
 
The Aquarium has stated in the past their desire to create an outdoor exhibit for pinnipeds. The space between the two buildings is the ideal location for such an expansion, if done correctly the addition of great lakes 360 and possible outdoor exhibits in between could take this aquarium from one that takes less than a half to go thru to an actual destination.
 
On March 28th, the aquarium announced that a (0.1) ocellate river stingray named Ryder passed away.

Aquarium of Niagara

On April 13th, the aquarium announced that their spotted jellyfish is back on exhibit in the Aliens of the Sea area.

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On April 26th, the aquarium announced that they moved (0.0.2) Atlantic stingrays Lilly and Lulu from an off-exhibit tank to the M&T Bank Shark and Ray Bay exhibit.

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zoosnbrews said:
Governor Hochul Announces Two Transformative Niagara Falls Projects to Attract New Visitors and Development

The aquarium of Niagara is turning a former Niagara Discovery center into the Great Lakes 360. It will feature animals from the Niagara river and great lakes and increase the size of the aquarium by 40%. It will cost 5 million and be ready by 2024. The discovery center is about 100 yards from the aquarium with land that used to be a highway that has been removed in between.
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On May 24th, the aquarium announced they selected Turner Construction Company as the project manager for the Great Lakes 360 project, which will finish construction in spring 2024. The aquarium also released renderings of the project.

An Exciting Update for Great Lakes 360 | Our Great Lakes 360 project is coming to life! We're excited to release a brand new suite of renderings and announce that we've selected Turner... | By Aquarium of Niagara - Facebook

On July 1st, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.2) pyjama sharks named Beaker and Double Dot from the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts.

Aquarium of Niagara
 
On July 31st, the aquarium announced that they were named the preferred developer of a multi-lot property which, if successful, will include an interactive exhibit space that will host traveling exhibitions, a fully inclusive playground, food service and concessions, and retail offerings.

We’re excited to be named the... - Aquarium of Niagara
USAN Board Names the Aquarium of Niagara as Preferred Developer for Key Downtown Parcel | Empire State Development

On August 4th, the aquarium announced that a (0.1) California sea lion named Kiah passed away at age 15 due to stomach cancer.

It is with heavy hearts that we... - Aquarium of Niagara
 
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