Maritime Aquarium

Maritime Aquarium Names New CEO with Background in Banking, Nonprofit Leadership

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Maureen Hanley, a businesswoman with extensive professional and charitable involvement in Fairfield County, is the new president and chief executive officer of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. She’s been hired to lead the aquarium through some big challenges expected to come up in the next several years, including the razing of the aquarium’s IMAX theater as part of the replacement of the Walk railroad bridge over Norwalk River. Hanley was chosen unanimously on Nov. 7 by the Executive Committee of the aquarium’s Board of Trustees. Her first day will be Monday, Nov.

Maritime Aquarium

Big Changes Coming to the Maritime Aquarium

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk will begin construction of a 4D movie theater and replacement exhibits sometime later this year and in 2019, part of the aquarium’s advance response to the rebuilding of an adjacent railroad bridge. As part of the changes, the IMAX theater (Connecticut’s largest) will close for good sometime in 2019, seals will get a much larger tank, some exhibits will be moved permanently and others closed temporarily. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium, edited by Darienite.com. As frequently happens with major construction projects with a lot of different steps depending on other steps, timing of various elements of the changes is pretty fluid. The schedule has changed in the last two months and may well change again.

Maritime Aquarium
Swiss sailor Yvan Bourgnon The Ocean Rider Sebastien Devrient

POSTPONED: ‘International Ocean Film Tour’ — Short Films About the Big Blue Sea at Aquarium

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UPDATE: This event has been postponed because of some (unspecified) problems with the video wall, the Maritime Aquarium announced on Thursday, Nov. 8. Enjoy a night of edge-of-your-seat storytelling through a series of inspiring short films all focusing on the big blue, as the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk welcomes “The International Ocean Film Tour” on Thursday, Nov. 15. This one-night film fest features inspiring personalities in stories from around the world, as well as from in our own back yard.

Maritime Aquarium

Veterans, Active-Duty Members of Military Get Free Admission to Maritime Aquarium in November

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To honor the men and women who have served – and are serving – our country, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is offering free admission to veterans and current active-duty military throughout the month of November. Additionally, all Aquarium guests can enjoy a display of gorgeous photographs by — and sometimes of — veterans, in a gallery show curated by the Veteran Artist Program (VAP). — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

“The Maritime Aquarium offers a $10 admission discount to veterans year-round,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth. “But, throughout the month in which we mark Veterans Day, we are happy to expand our offer to entirely free admission for veterans.”

Sigworth noted that admission is always free to those currently serving in any branch of the military, not just in November. Maritime Aquarium admission is $24.95 for adults, $22.95 for seniors (65+), and $17.95 for children (3-12).

Film
2001: A Space Odyssey still from a scene

See ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ the Way It Was Meant To Be Seen (and Works Best): On a Big Screen

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Continuing the 50th-anniversary celebration of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Warner Bros. Pictures has brought Stanley Kubrick’s science-fiction masterpiece to the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for a four-week IMAX theater run, ending Nov 11. The film’s star, Keir Dullea, was on hand at the opening, Oct. 19, and afterward met fans and sign autographs. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

This special anniversary release of 2001: A Space Odyssey marks the first time ever that moviegoers have the opportunity to view the seminal film in the IMAX format.

Holidays
Cute kid in Halloween costume Maritime Aquarium

Your Little Monsters Could Get in the Maritime Aquarium/AquaScarium for Free Oct 27-28

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Kids in costume can get free admission to the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on the weekend before Halloween, when the popular family attraction transforms into the AquaScarium. Children age 3 to 12 who come to the AquaScarium in costume on Sat., Oct. 27 and Sun., Oct. 28 will get free admission (a $17.95 value) with each paying adult. Adult admission is $24.95. (The offer requires one paying adult for each free costumed child.)

— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

“There’s no trick about this treat,” said Dave Sigworth, the aquarium’s spooksperson.

Maritime Aquarium
Fish School Maritime Aquarium 2018

‘Fish School’ on Oct 24 Teaches Teachers How to Use Maritime Aquarium’s Resources

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Educators can explore the unique teaching resources available at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk during a free after-hours open house on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The event, called “Fish School,” runs from 4 to 7 p.m. The purpose of the free evening is to show teachers and other educators the many ways they can connect their students and curricula with the Maritime Aquarium’s educational resources and programs, which help to fulfill state, Common Core and Next Generation Science standards. “‘Fish School’ demonstrates all the ways the aquarium can be an extension of the classroom,” said Tom Naiman, the aquarium’s director of education. “From our animal exhibits to our IMAX Theater to our catalog of unique programs — for preschoolers all the way up to college level — the aquarium and our education programs are intended to support educators, while of course teaching and inspiring their students.”

Not Just for School Teachers
“Fish School” is open to all working educators, including school administrators, homeschool parents and those who present educational content at libraries, community centers and other resources apart from schools.

Maritime Aquarium
Reef picture for Oceans: Our Blue Planet IMAX at Maritime Aquarium

Dolphins, Sea Otters and More at Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX Movie: ‘Oceans: Our Blue Planet’

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The wonders and surprises of Earth’s “final frontier” are splashing across the Maritime Aquarium’s six-story IMAX Theater screen in the new movie “Oceans: Our Blue Planet.”

The film offers larger-than-life encounters with such familiar animals as dolphins, sea otters and walruses, while also introducing unusual deep-sea species like “yeti” crabs, a barrel-eye fish and dumbo octopus. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

“Oceans: Our Blue Planet” is playing at 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. daily through March 14. It’s narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet, and sponsored locally by the Santa Family Fund. “We’re excited to give audiences this inspiring, beautiful exploration of the world ocean,” said Dave Sigworth, the Aquarium’s publicist. “We love how the movie blends new discoveries, while also serving as a primer for those who are new to the ocean environment and issues affecting it.

Maritime Aquarium
Feeding Time Behind the Scenes Maritime Aquarium 2018

Get Up Close and Personal With the Residents of the Maritime Aquarium at Feeding Time

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Watch and even help with the morning feedings of some of the sharks, rays, turtles and other stars of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk in special behind-the-scenes “Feeding Time” programs this Sunday and on the first Sunday next month, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

This fun experience gives participants exclusive access to some of their favorite marine animals by letting them join educators and the animal-husbandry staff during morning rounds prior to the aquarium’s opening. Opportunities include:

• Feeling the vacuuming power of rays on your palm as you offer morsels in the Shark & Ray Touch Pool.

Animals
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Long Island Sound

Fourth Long Island Sound Sea Turtle Found Dead After Getting Hit by Boat

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A fourth sea turtle has been killed by a boat strike in Long Island Sound – the third such incident in the Milford/Stratford area this summer. A three-foot loggerhead turtle was found on Friday, Sept. 21 washed up at Silver Sands State Park, the apparent victim of an encounter with a boat propeller. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

This was the fourth loggerhead in the Sound killed by boats this summer – an unusually high number. (The others: found on Long Beach in Stratford July 15 and Aug.

Animals
Loggerhead turtle by Ukanda on Flickr via Wik Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loggerhead_sea_turtle.jpg

Third Sea Turtle Found Killed by Boat in Six Weeks: Maritime Aquarium Urges Caution

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With a third sea turtle killed by a boat in six weeks in Long Island Sound, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk again is urging boaters to slow down and be aware of these endangered animals. — an announcement from the  Maritime Aquarium

A dead loggerhead sea turtle was found on Wednesday, Aug. 29 on Long Beach in Stratford with apparent propeller slashes in its shell. This death follows similar fatal boat strikes of loggerheads discovered off Norwalk’s Sheffield Island on Aug. 9 and in Stratford on July 15.

Maritime Aquarium
Albino Alligator Maritime Aquarium

‘Snowflake’ the Albino Aligator, Along With Stuffed Animal Exhibit, Leaving Maritime Aquarium This Weekend

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With Labor Day bringing two special summer exhibits to an end, time is slipping away to see a rare albino alligator and for youngsters to give veterinary care to plush animals at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Both the “Albino Alligator” and “Stuffed Animal CARE-ium” exhibits will close at the end of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

Additionally, the Labor Day holiday brings the final daily showing of the IMAX movie “Great White Shark.”
Snowflake the Albino Alligator
“Albino Alligator” gives guests a close look at a rare white alligator — a 6-foot male named Snowflake. Albino alligators are very rare because, when young in the wild, they’re more obvious to predators.

Charity Events and Opportunities

Maritime Aquarium Golf Tournament Now Offers Tennis — Sept 17 at Wee Burn Country Club

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Tee up or — as a new option — return serve in support of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Monday, Sept. 17 as the Maritime Golf Classic now offers an optional tennis tournament. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

Registration is open now for the 8th annual Maritime Golf Classic, a fun, fundraising event at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. New this year is a concurrent tennis tournament on the country club’s courts. Both are co-ed.

Maritime Aquarium

Maritime Aquarium Just Added ‘Just Add Water’ Permanent Exhibit, Featuring Land Animals

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Trace a path from desert to rain forest, and meet animals of those environments — such as quail, an owl, macaws, reptiles, monkeys, a porcupine and skunk — in “Just Add Water,” a new permanent exhibit now open in the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. This new second-floor exhibit opened Friday Aug. 3 and features 23 species of animals, including 21 that have never been displayed at the Maritime Aquarium. ________________

— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

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New species include Geoffroy’s tamarins (a type of monkey), Gambel’s quail, a striped skunk, a prehensile-tailed porcupine, a screech owl, a savannah monitor lizard, Cuvier’s dwarf caiman (related to alligators), and blue-and-gold macaws. In addition, the Aquarium’s rare 6-foot black dragon has relocated into “Just Add Water.” And more than a dozen species of fish populate different biomes.

Maritime Aquarium
Maritime Aquarium 5-3-16

Maritime Aquarium Turns 30 Years Old on Monday, Celebration on Saturday

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is readying to celebrate 30 years of living exhibits, marine science and environmental education in support of Long Island Sound, as well as its economic impact on Norwalk and Connecticut. The Aquarium invites friends to celebrate its achievements on Saturday, July 21 with a full day of bonus offerings, entertainers and special guests, as well as “1988 throwback pricing” for deeply discounted admission all that weekend. For the celebration on July 21, guests can enjoy fun bonus activities staggered throughout the day, including a disc jockey, strolling entertainers, and a photo booth with special backdrops. There will be cake and cupcakes, of course, as well as dignitaries with proclamations. In addition, look for favorite IMAX movies from the past to be included in the film schedule on July 21.