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The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is an aquarium and oceanography institute in Mystic, Connecticut. The aquarium is notable for being one of only 4 aquariums in the world to have an intact male Steller Sea Lion, as well as being the first to attempt artificial insemination on a Beluga Whale. Some other exhibits include a ray touch pool, a penguin exhibit, and a bat cave.
The Institute for Exploration features maps, diagrams, and models from Ballard's explorations of the Black Sea and of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic and of John F. Kennedy's PT-109.
[edit] History
Mystic Aquarium was first opened in 1973 as a privately owned corporation. Industrialist, philanthropist, and principal shareholder Kelvin Smith chose Mystic, Connecticut as the site for the aquarium because of the area's scenic shoreline and rich maritime history. In 1999, the aquarium and Dr. Robert Ballard's Institute for Exploration combined to form a $52 million dollar expansion. The expansion featured the Alaskan Coast, which is a one–acre outdoor beluga whale display.[1]
[edit] References
Staff feeding Pinnipeds at the aquarium
[edit] External Links
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Zoos, aquaria and aviaries |
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