Georgia Aquarium Georgia Aquarium News

Wow, really unexpected. I wish Georgia would focus more on education and conservation, rather than entertainment. I just hope this Institution doesn't turn into Sea World.
 
According to the article only 66,000 people visited Marineland in 2009, and that historic but aging structure could well be closed. Perhaps it will be used as a sort of containment area for excess sea creatures designated for the Georgia Aquarium?
 
reduakari said:
Atlanta gets the dolphins and Marineland closes by 2015. Just my guess....
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I have a feeling this might happen. The Captive Dolphin Database lists 12 dolphins in Marineland. I believe Georgia was expected to receive 4 or 5 (I might be wrong on this). Do they have the facility to house 12 dolphins?

Or, like snowleopard is hinting, they may use it as a separate attraction, "Georgia Aquarium in Florida" or something like that and use it to enhance their new dolphin program.

Time will tell.
 
NAIB Volunteer said:
I have a feeling this might happen. The Captive Dolphin Database lists 12 dolphins in Marineland. I believe Georgia was expected to receive 4 or 5 (I might be wrong on this). Do they have the facility to house 12 dolphins?
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I found an answer to my question. The exhibit will be 1.3 million gallons. For some perspective the National Aquarium's dolphin exhibit is 1.5 million gallons.
The Captive Dolphin Database list Georgia as having 11 dolphins, not 4-5 as I said earlier.
Here are the names and sex of each dolphin and where they came from:
In June, four dolphins came from Dolphin Quest: Hawaii
Kei (male), Makana (male), Shaka (female), Niele (male)
In July, one dolphin came from Marineland Florida
Phebe (female)
In July, three came from Dolphin Quest: Bermuda
Lily (female), Luna (female), Bemudiana (female)
In July, two came from Dolphin Experience in the Bahamas
Briland (male), Salvador (male)
In September, one came from Dolphin Quest: Hawaii
Pukanala (female)
 
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snowleopard said:
According to the article only 66,000 people visited Marineland in 2009, and that historic but aging structure could well be closed. Perhaps it will be used as a sort of containment area for excess sea creatures designated for the Georgia Aquarium?
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What historic, aging structure?? - their facilities were all built in the last 10 years. Everything that was associated with the old Marineland had received such extensive damage from hurricanes early last decade, that it was all torn down.
 
gerenuk said:
What historic, aging structure?? - their facilities were all built in the last 10 years. Everything that was associated with the old Marineland had received such extensive damage from hurricanes early last decade, that it was all torn down.
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Everything was torn down? I'd read that there was a massive renovation but that some of the existing infrastructure stretched back to its original heyday. Either way barely anyone visits the place.
 
Your suggestion that the dolphins may move to Atlanta is not a new theory. Marineland of the Pacific (Paolos Verdes, Ca.) was bought by Seaworld in 1987, (I do believe after much public protest during the sale they agreed to keep it open), but shortly after, transferred all the animals to Seaworld parks and abruptly closed it down. Big shame, as the place seems to hold a spot in many people's hearts, as you can see from the fan website. It's not impossible that we could could have a second Marineland disaster on our hands.....

Marineland of the Pacific

Having said that, I don't know what the visitor numbers are like but having an attraction in Florida is usually a good asset, especially a dolphin-based one!
 
Allthough I think a dolphin-based expansion is a wise one, I would rather have seen that gergia aquarium focussed on attractions with fish, like builing a sort of outer bay, as they have in monterey. I like the fact that they have more mantarays on display now, now they only need to add eaglerays and oceanic sunfish to complete the picture.

Does anyone know if they have any succes with reproduction of their cownoserays? I know they had offsrping from their zebrasharks, but I know little about other results.
 
Johnny said:
Allthough I think a dolphin-based expansion is a wise one, I would rather have seen that gergia aquarium focussed on attractions with fish, like builing a sort of outer bay, as they have in monterey. I like the fact that they have more mantarays on display now, now they only need to add eaglerays and oceanic sunfish to complete the picture.

Does anyone know if they have any succes with reproduction of their cownoserays? I know they had offsrping from their zebrasharks, but I know little about other results.
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With all the cownose rays they have and because their such a hardy species, I would assume that they have had successful reproduction.
 
Official date for the Georgia Aquarium new "Dolphin Tales" Exhibit is April 2. Here is the video link:
and here is the official page: Georgia Aquarium | AT&T Dolphin Tales

Honestly, I am highly disappointed in the Georgia Aquarium's new exhibit. Nothing spectacular about the atrium. It looks too dark, the mock- rock is awful, and it looks like a SeaWorld show. As the world's largest, I wish they would spend a lot more energy in education rather than appeal.
 
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NAIB Volunteer said:
Official date for the Georgia Aquarium new "Dolphin Tales" Exhibit is April 2. Here is the video link: YouTube - Dreaming Big: Dolphins at the Georgia Aquarium and here is the official page: Georgia Aquarium | AT&T Dolphin Tales

Honestly, I am highly disappointed in the Georgia Aquarium's new exhibit. Nothing spectacular about the atrium. It looks too dark, the mock- rock is awful, and it looks like a SeaWorld show. As the world's largest, I wish they would spend a lot more energy in education rather than appeal.
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You may notice they always claim to be the "biggest," not the best.....Let's just say that if you want top quality anything, you don't go to Home Depot to buy it.
 
There are a number of elements to the Georgia Aquarium that are not my cup of tea-i dont like the" mall" approach for instance and it is short of smaller exhibits a la Shedd,Steinhart,Monterey,Tennessee etc...BUT,in visiting over 500 zoos and aquariums around the world i have little doubt that the "Ocean Voyager" exhibit is the most astounding display i have ever seen or that has ever been created for captive animals.
 
The video is interesting, and I think that the dolphin show is strikingly similar to one that would be offered at Sea World. The addition on 1.1 acres of land is huge for an aquarium, and whatever faults the Georgia Aquarium has I agree with "tim b" in that the 6-million gallon whale shark tank is absolutely outstanding.
 
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