| Show Swimming I ing with WI Sharks ar s Amanda Chamberlain Contributing Writer Utah typically paints a picture picture picture pic pic- ture of a bleak and barren desert with nothing but sand and rock red-rock arches Who knew that gallons upon gallons gallons gallons gal gal- lons of blue ocean water filled to the brim with black tip reef sharks giant octopi and birdlike birdlike birdlike bird- bird like sting rays float just leagues away Located in the Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City the Gail Benjamin Aquarium Experience offers Utah a sneak peek at the future Living Planet Aquarium That establishment establishment establishment establish establish- ment plans to open when 30 million of funds are raised The aquariums aquarium's board of directors has included our own Dr David Richardson now vice president of then the dean of Humanities and Social Sciences My role was to advocate the aquarium in their educational educational educational outreach efforts and to provide not only a holding facility for the marine animals animals ani ani- mals but an arena for education education education tion on and off our campus Richardson said and the aquarium along with other sponsors provide children ages three to five with on hands-on learning experiences The mobile learning centers vans filled with all things marine travel to multitudes of elementary schools reaching over students throughout Utah so far Outreach programs are also available to middle school and high school students through the Marine Science Centers located within Logan and Kearns high schools and Central Davis and Pleasant Grove middle schools hosts an on-campus on Marine and Freshwater Science institute institute institute tute where high school and college students receive on hands-on marine science learning experience The temporary aquarium with the slogan wet your appetite displays two sample sample sample sam sam- exhibits the Tropical Pacific Reef and the Waters of Utah A third coming soon is a lively and leafy exhibit the Amazon Rainforest The aquarium stroll begins with the Waters of Utah exhibit offering tanks filled with rainbow trout and salmon Salamanders and bullfrogs accompany this local lineup displayed in their natural habitat Eventually this portion portion portion por por- tion will host a realistic Lake Powell flood flash-flood scene complete with fallen trees and sandstone walls The Tropical Reef portion follows consisting of a tank of seahorses a giant octopus and a separate tank occupied by leopard nurse and the intimidating black tip reef sharks and accompanied by gliding sting rays A tank holding eyed evil-eyed polka dot ted moray eels sits adjacently In the completed aquarium the Tropical Pacific Reef will walk its visitors gradually under gallons of water first through the sur sur- level face-level mangroves which act as a fish nursery then below the surface to the reef crest where one may view the violent nature of the oceans ocean's currents and tides along with the plentiful coral plant life The reef wall constitutes the next stage with its dizzying variety of fish of all colors of the rainbow Deeper into the underwater world the aquarium will host the gallon reef slope home to the feared creatures of the ocean kingdom sharks Aquarium visitors will be treated to intimate views of the foot eight-foot terrors under inch eight-inch thick panels of glass Upon exiting the Deep Sea portion the Open Ocean is isSee isSee isSee See Sharks continued on page 4 Sharks continued from front introduced home to the tank of the aquariums aquarium's year old lobster and the unique kid-friendly kid petting tank I think that people like the petting petting petting pet pet- ting tank the most Steve Martinez said aquarium Guest Services clerk The petting tank a pool of and water no more that three half feet high contains several several several sever sever- al types of starfish and six slimy playful bat rays which give any marine-animal marine lover lovera a chance to touch these harm harm- less creatures People just get so overwhelmed overwhelmed overwhelmed over over- whelmed when they actually get to touch the animals Martinez said Prices of admission for the Aquarium Experience are 4 for children and 7 for adults Yearly memberships can be purchased at 10 for children and 20 for adults Membership includes free daily admission for a year express member in check-in and an exclusive 10 off of every item in the gift shop Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 am a.m. to 6 pm p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 pm p.m. |
