The anatomy of an exhibit

Ever wonder what it takes to create an exhibit at an Aquarium? It’s a huge team effort with two goals:  to offer a healthy habitat for the animals and a great visitor experience. We have been working dilligently for the last year to create Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance, opening Memorial Day weekend. With less than a month go, let’s take a look back at the process.

It’s not as easy as it sounds to bring a new animal collection into the fold. First, there is the issue of space―there is only so much of it. Jellies require much more water than the frogs that previously occupied the same area of the Aquarium. So the first order of business was to provide for sufficient water flow and drainage to the area.  Workers distributed water from the main building, poured a new concrete floor and created a trench drain system. Most of this work had to be done off-hours to minimize visitor inconvenience.

Transforming Experiences

It is important to recognize that ocean health starts with each of us. At the Aquarium we have seen first hand that action follows experiences that change our thinking. For some,  its seeing the Chesapeake Bay for the first time through a school field experience. For others, its getting face-to-face with the Aquarium’s amazing animals or attending a thought-provoking lecture. 

Our friends and associates have wonderful stories of experiences at the National Aquarium that have transformed their lives, actions and behaviors. We’d like to share one of those experiences with you:

I met my wife Kathy in the rainforest, while she was working as a volunteer for the Aquarium. I was standing on a ladder sculpting a natural looking rock planter near the waterfall. She asked if I wanted her help. We started talking about things like the animals in the rainforest and photography, which was the other half of my job at the time. Kathy had a great interest in insects and herps. She kept an iguana named Iggy for 29 years! We decided to get married in the Rain Forest because we both have a deep appreciation for nature, and we had to return to the “scene of the crime.” Kathy and I have been all over the world photographing wildlife above and below the water’s surface. When people view my images, I want them to see and feel what I see in that subject. The drama and the intrigue; the shape, color, and beauty. All the work I do for the Aquarium and outside the Aquarium, promotes a strong conservation message. With Kathy and my colleagues, I feel I am a part of some greater good.

George Grall
Staff Photographer, National Aquarium/Professional Freelance Photographer, National Geographic

Pledging to protect Our Ocean Planet

Our Ocean Planet, the new dolphin show at the National Aquarium, comes with an important message: our behaviors affect dolphins and other ocean animals in many ways, both good and bad.  We all have a duty to make sure we are protecting – not hurting – the dolphin’s beautiful ocean world!

Visitors have been learning more about this world and different ways to help save it.  Since dolphins cannot clean up the trash and debris that drift into the oceans, the show encourages humans to get involved in solving this global problem. Take a look at the pledges we have recieved from children to help the dolphins in various ways – all of which you can do at home, too! 

“I recycle.  I clean my house.” — Ravi

“I will move the slime out of the way.” — Jenna Mackenzie

“I will clean water for many fish.” — Eoen

Get a closer look at Spirit

Spirit is another one of the younger dolphins born at the National Aquarium. She is very playful and loves learning new behaviors for the shows.  In fact, she is usually the first dolphin to try out a new toy.

She is the daughter of Nani, the oldest dolphin living here at the Aquarium, and was born on April 13, 2001. She will turn 8 years old in just a few days!  Spirit was named in honor of September 11th. She is living up to that honor, as she is always showing off her spirit during shows! Take a look:

Learn more about all of our dolphins by visiting the brand new dolphin show website at  www.aqua.org/dolphins!