Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Date opened March 25, 2014
Location Draper, Utah, United States
Coordinates 40°33′36″N 111°52′17″W / 40.5599°N 111.8714°W / 40.5599; -111.8714Coordinates: 40°33′36″N 111°52′17″W / 40.5599°N 111.8714°W / 40.5599; -111.8714
Floor space 136,000 sq ft (12,600 m2)
Number of animals 2,484[1]
Number of species 450+
Volume of largest tank 300,000 US gallons (1,100,000 L)
Total volume of tanks 600,000 US gallons (2,271,000 L) [2]
Annual visitors 1 million +[3]
Memberships 30,000
Major exhibits 74
Website www.thelivingplanet.com

The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium located in Draper, Utah, United States,[4] is home to 2500 animals representing 450 species. The public aquarium consists of four main exhibits: Discover Utah, Ocean Explorer, Journey to South America, and Antarctic Adventure.

The aquarium grew out of an initiative by Brent Andersen,[5] a marine biologist in 1999 when two vans were outfitted with educational exhibits and began visiting Utah schools. In June 2004, The Living Planet Aquarium Preview Exhibit opened in The Gateway Mall, then moved to Sandy, Utah in 2006, and then to Draper, Utah to accommodate growing crowds and expanding exhibits.[6] The Sandy location is closed, and the new location opened on March 25, 2014.[7]

The aquarium's education department operates two outreach programs: the Utah Waters Van[8] and the Rain forest Van.[9] The outreach programs visit over 450 elementary schools statewide each year, reaching nearly 50,000 students. Field trip programs for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and a teacher professional development program with resources for fourth grade teachers are offered.

The aquarium is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Exhibits

Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer features saltwater species from all over the world including sea jellies, eels, seahorses and seven species of sharks. Shark species include brown-banded bamboo sharks, nurse sharks, sandbar sharks, blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, and zebra sharks. One of the most popular features is the 40-foot shark tunnel. Guests can view the sharks, sea turtles and sting rays swimming just inches away! The shark tunnel weighs 26,000 pounds and was lifted through the roof of the aquarium with a crane. The tunnel is made from 3.5 inch thick acrylic.[10]

Journey to South America

Journey to South America takes you through the rain forests of South America, where you will encounter a 14-foot anaconda, piranha, caiman, desert insects, tree boas, electric eels, tree frogs and Amazon giants. The exhibit also educates guests about the biodiversity of rain forest ecosystems, the benefits rain forests provide us and how we all can help protect these amazing habitats![11]

Discover Utah

Discover Utah houses some of Utah’s threatened and endangered species such as June suckers and least chub. The largest exhibit in this gallery features three male North American river otters which will serve to educate visitors about river otters, otter reintroduction efforts, and release locations in Utah. Families can learn all about the importance of preserving and protecting Utah’s waterways as they explore and experience this exhibit.[12]

Antarctic Adventure

Antarctic Adventure immerses guests in a Falkland Islands research station where they will meet gentoo penguins.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Living Planet Aquarium Exhibits".
  2. ↑ http://www.thelivingplanet.com/pdf/Oct122012_groundbreaking.pdf
  3. ↑ Ostergar, Martha (27 March 2015). "Photos: Loveland Living Aquarium". KSL.
  4. ↑ Wadley, Carma (31 May 2009). "Living Planet Aquarium offers a fun-filled educational experience for kids of all ages". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012.
  5. ↑ Knudson, Max B. (19 Feb 1998). "Set Sights On Huge Living Planet Aquarium For Utah". Deseret News. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  6. ↑ Dethman, Leigh (28 April 2006). "Aquarium announces change of address". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "BUILDING AN AQUARIUM IN THE DESERT STATE OF UTAH" (PDF) (Press release). The Living Planet Aquarium. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Hayes, Elyse (30 May 2002). "New 'water' vans deliver education to students". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012.
  9. ↑ Campbell, Joel (14 December 1999). "Van Puts Rain Forest In The Classroom". Deseret News. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  10. ↑ http://www.thelivingplanet.com/index.php/ocean-explorer-3
  11. ↑ http://www.thelivingplanet.com/index.php/journey-to-south-america-2
  12. ↑ http://www.thelivingplanet.com/index.php/discover-utah-2
  13. ↑ http://www.thelivingplanet.com/index.php/antarctic-adventure

External links


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