"In this ancient and
fragile world, loss is One highlight of the new aquarium is the living coral
collection, the largest such collection in the continental U.S.
An extensive Tropical Saltwater Gallery displays hundreds of
dazzlingly beautiful tropical
fish from reef habitats around the world. Unlike most
aquariums, the reef
structure in almost every exhibit is comprised of live coral. A
large portion of the Aquarium's quarantine building is dedicated as a
Coral Propagation Facility for ongoing research and propagation.
Visitors will be able to view this area from outside the Aquarium
through three large windows. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has
achieved worldwide recognition as the number one coral
propagation facility in North America, and sends over 1,000
cuttings of coral to aquariums each year.
"In the endless deep,
food, mates, and acts of The Open Ocean exhibit holds a lot of promise. The 24 foot
tall, 100,000 gallon shark
tank is viewable from two floors and five different angles, and
contains the largest single window used in any aquarium. The
occupants, however, are not yet on hand. The tricky balance of getting
the water condition in the shark tank just right will be done by
September, 2000. This was the only disappointment in an amazingly fun day
- about 20% of the tanks at the Aquarium are still waiting for their
inhabitants. Zoo officials said that they have heard from many
visitors complaining about the opening of an aquarium that is not yet
completed. (Personally, I think it is sad that this was the prevailing
view, as otherwise this underwater gem would not be seen for much of
the summer.)
The stingray tank is especially popular with children. This staffed "touch" tank is completely open on the top and visitors will periodically have the unusual opportunity to touch the stingrays, which are related to sharks. An "L" shaped acrylic tunnel goes right through the stingray exhibit, giving children (and adults) the chance to crawl through the stingrays' environment and become a part of it. Children crawled through the tunnel over and over again, squealing with delight as one of the rays would swim over their heads. Next Page > Tropical Freshwater Rainforests > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
|
Images © 2000 Albrecht and Kimberly Powell. All Rights
Reserved.
