Easter Eggs

Easter at the Florida Aquarium was fun!

We had underwater swimming Bunnies! (It was really one of our staff members named Kim with a bunny suit over her scuba gear) (You can see all the photos here http://www.tampabayaquarium.com/pastevents010.htm)

We had Easter egg hunts!

We even had a new arrival in our Wetlands Gallery. Our nesting White Ibis laid an egg! And such proud parents they were!

For the rest of the Wetlands Birds photos goto http://www.tampabayaquarium.com/birds01.htm

So come on by and say hello to the expectant parents in our Wetlands Exhibit!

Dr. Tim

Avoid Shark Dangers

Florida Shark Safety

As we head into another summer beach frenzy, it is worth reviewing shark safety tips.

While sharks doe not like humans (to eat) in general, they make mistakes, and can be territorial. So it is best to practice safety first.

Ways To Avoid Shark Attacks

While one is more likely to be struck my lightning than bit by a shark, it is still important to take precautions.

It is recommended you abide by the following guidelines to ensure your swimming experience in the ocean is a safe one:

• Never swim alone. Use the buddy system.
• Keep away from murky water. Swim where the water is clear. That way sharks can SEE you and avoid you.
• Don't swim where people are fishing or near run-off or drainage areas. This will confuse their sense of smell.
• Also steer clear of steep drop-offs, channels or river mouths where sharks are found.
• Avoid swimming during dawn, twilight or evening hours. This makes it more difficult to see you and differentiate food from people.
• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or highly contrasting bathing suits that can visually attract or confuse sharks.

Remember, sharks don't have High IQs!

Dr. Tim

New Explore A Shore Feature

Pssst, don't tell anybody...

It seems the Florida Aquarium is cooking something up for Explore A Shore! Giant squirting moray eels! See the photo at right >

This is supposed to be complete and installed before the end of summer.

Dr. Tim

Major Expansion On Tap For Aquarium
By RANDY DIAMOND rdiamond@tampatrib.com
Published: Apr 14, 2006 Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - The president of The Florida Aquarium hopes to announce next fall a $40 million to $50 million expansion plan that will include new dolphin, sea lion and giant shark exhibits and a revamped remodeled lobby.

Thom Stork said Thursday that he plans to submit a long-range plan to the aquarium's board of directors in October that will include the projects. If the board approves the project, the aquarium would need to raise money from private donors.

"Fresh attractions will give visitors a reason to come back again," Stork said. Attendance at the attraction has been up the past several years, but the 620,000 visitors last year was still below projections. Aquarium officials had predicted before the facility opened in 1995 that attendance would surpass a million patrons a year.

Stork said he would like to remodel the attraction's two-story lobby in 2008.
He estimates that would cost $10 million. Stork said he wants to install multimedia presentations and interactive displays to liven up guests first impressions of the now "sterile lobby." The area features mostly open space leading to exhibits, except for an ice cream stand and a stingray tank.

Later phases of Stork's proposal are more ambitious. Stork said he'd like to add new dolphin, sea lion and giant shark exhibits in 2010. Doing so could cost an estimated $30 million to $40 million, he said. Focus groups have expressed interest in seeing such creatures, Stork said.
Stork, a former marketing director at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, has pushed to make an aquarium visit more entertaining in efforts to increase visitation.

The last capital project the aquarium undertook was a children's play area in 2004. The aquarium raised $2.4 million in donations and public grants to build it.

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Great News FLAQ Fans!

But I have one question...
Is it a tank for a giant shark, or a giant tank for many sharks? ;)
Enquiring Minds Want To know!

Dr. Tim

Ooops - Official Website Web Cams

I have heard from countless folks, both online and in person at the aquarium about the web cams on the official website. So, I thought I would offer an explanation.

Unlike most aquariums, the Florida Aquarium decided to put cameras into the actual tanks, instead of placing them outside looking in. While this creates a more realistic view & appearance, it does bring complications. Salt water is not a kind to electronics, and neither are fish. So the result is that most of the cameras no longer function.

Unfortunately, this has been overlooked by the auqarium webmaster, who still has the web cam links throughout the official www.flaquarium.org website. Just disregard them.

Hopefully, we can get new cameras installed outside of the tanks that will last. If you know of a vendor of IPCameras that might be interested in contributing a half dozen to the aquarium, please let us know!

I would love to know your impressions of the official website as well! Please post your comments!

Dr. Tim

The Florida Aquarium Charity

I am familiar with several charities, and have contributed to many. However, I must say how pleased I am with the Florida Aquarium, and the management of their funding activities.

I recently saw that the Florida Aquarium is rated highest, compared to peers, by Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/5585.htm).

When giving of your time or money (as I do), it is always important to make sure that you are giving to an organization that places their focus on the real use of that money, and not on their own administration. With an 85% efficiency, the Florida Aquarium clearly is such an organization.

If you would like to see how they use their funds, just take a look at the Florida Aquarium! (www.tampabayaquarium.com) Both the public side, and the behind the scenes activities are a credit to the Tampa Bay Area, and Thomas Stork (and past CEOs) deserve kuddos!

Dr. Tim

The Case Of The Missing Cell Phone

From The March Issue Of SeaNopsis:

Be sure to take a look at “Shark Bay” next time you are wondering around the Aquarium. Thanks to Chuck H. and the rest of the life support crew, we now have a new and much improved lighting system for this tank. Finally, the colors of the animals are noticeable and the water, well it actually has a sparkle to it.

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Dr. Tim