jellyfish at the akron zoo

alix2.0

Active Member
this is like 20 minutes from my house. gonna have to check it out this summer.
(stolen from the zoo web site)
Jellyfish exhibit coming to the Akron Zoo in 2008!
AKRON, Ohio – The big, blue sea is coming to Northeast Ohio. The Akron Zoo is proud to present Jellies: Rhythm in the Blue, a jellyfish exhibit that will open in the summer of 2008. The exhibit will feature 10 aquariums of jellyfish and will be the only exhibit of its kind in the state of Ohio. The exhibit will be in the zoo’s education center, Komodo Kingdom, and will focus on rhythm and the theatrical movements of jellyfish. It will open to the public June 7, 2008.
The exhibit will be located in the exhibit hall section of Komodo Kingdom.
Previously the space was an interactive area for kids to learn about the environment and ways to be responsible stewards of our natural resources. This area was originally designed to be a space that a new exhibit would be constructed every few years. Currently the space is under construction with several of the tanks already in place. The Animal Care Staff is working to regulate the water to be suitable for jellyfish before they are released into the tanks. To assist with construction of the area the zoo has partnered with YouthBuild, a program of Akron Summit Community Action, Inc. YouthBuild program offers young men and women, ages 18-24, hands-on home construction training, education and leadership skills while they work toward their GED or high school diploma. Through the program, YouthBuilders will learn the necessary skills for a potential future in the construction field.
The exhibit will be one of the few aquatic exhibits at the zoo and will be the first ever aquarium feature in its history. The exhibit will also feature a touch tank that will include crabs, starfish and sea urchins. There will also be an area where visitors can take a peek behind-the-scenes at a jellyfish lab to see the water systems and everything that goes into creating their exhibits. The exhibit is expected to be open for three years.
The species of jellyfish that will be at the Akron Zoo include:
· Moon jellies
· Pacific sea nettles
· Blue blubbers
· Umbrella jellies
· Japanese sea nettles
· Upside down jellies
· Comb jellies
In the interactive section of the gallery, visitors will enjoy under the sea fun with a touch tank, pipe organ, which will allow visitors to create the sounds of the sea, an underwater mural, which kids can climb on and learn about the different depths of the ocean, and an area where kids can dress up and dance like a jellyfish.
Jellies: Rhythm in the Blue will be open during normal zoo hours and is expected to be at the Akron Zoo for three years.
The Akron Zoo, which is home to over 700 animals from around the world, is open 361 days a year. Winter hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $5.50 per person and parking is $1.50.
The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.
 
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