Georgia Aquarium
| Georgia Aquarium | ||
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| particularities | at the opening of the world's largest aquarium | |
| place | 225 Baker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313 |
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| surface | 81,000 m² | |
| opening | November 23, 2005 | |
| Animal species | 500 species | |
| Individuals | approx. 120,000 animals | |
| Species focus | Fish and other aquatic life | |
| Visitor numbers | approx. 2.5 million visitors annually | |
| organization | ||
| management | Anthony Godfrey (Managing Director) | |
 Georgia Aquarium building, |
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| www.georgiaaquarium.org | ||
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Coordinates: 33 ° 45 ′ 45 " N , 84 ° 23 ′ 38" W.
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta ( Georgia ) on Pemberton Place has 31,000 m³ of salt and fresh water pools and more than 100,000 animals from 500 animal species, making it the largest aquarium in the world when it opened . The biggest attractions include four young whale sharks , three belugas and two manta rays .
Sponsored and largely financed by a US $ 250 million donation from Home Depot co- founder Bernard Marcus , the aquarium was built on a 81,000 m² site north of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Marcus had the idea for an aquarium in Atlanta in 1990 at a reception at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Emergence
In November 2001, Bernard Marcus announced that he would build an aquarium and donate it to the city of Atlanta that would promote education and economic growth in equal measure. Marcus and his wife Billi visited and inspected 56 aquariums in 13 countries to design the structure and donated a total of US $ 250 million to the construction of the Georgia Aquarium. Additional donations of US $ 40 million came from companies including Coca-Cola , Turner , Home Depot , UPS , AirTran , AT&T , Georgia-Pacific , Time Warner , SunTrust and the Southern Company . The private sector support enabled the aquarium to open debt-free.
As his first employee, Marcus hired the then CEO of the Florida Aquarium, Jeff Swanagan, in 2002 . He had distinguished himself through his successful management in the renovation of the financially troubled Florida Aquarium. Swanagan became the founding chairman and board member of the Georgia Aquarium and was instrumental in its creation. He supervised all development steps from the construction planning to the procurement of the exhibited animals.
After 27 months, the Georgia Aquarium with 60 tanks on 1520 m² - the size of a ballroom -, two large kitchens, souvenir shops, a 4D cinema, an in-house restaurant and parking lot was opened on November 21, 2005 for holders of an annual pass and on November 23, 2005 opened to the general public. With admission prices of US $ 26 for adults, US $ 21.50 for seniors and US $ 19.50 for children, the non-profit organization runs one of the most expensive aquariums in the country. Nevertheless, it enjoys a large number of visitors and welcomed the 1 millionth visitor on March 1, 2006, just 98 days after the opening. Up to the suspension of subscription sales - according to the director Jeff Swanagan, the character of a private event should be avoided - over 290,000 annual tickets were sold for the first year. The Georgia Aquarium welcomed its 3-millionth visitor on August 24, 2006, its 5-millionth on May 23, 2007, and its 10-millionth visitor on June 25, 2009.
Jeff Swanagan remained chairman and general manager of the Georgia Aquarium until 2008 when he moved to Columbus Zoo . His successor as chairman was Anthony Godfrey, whom Swanagan originally hired in 2004 as commercial director (CFO) .
collection
The Georgia Aquarium is home to between 100,000 and 120,000 fish and other aquatic life from more than 500 species. On June 14, 2005, the total number of animals was published after only over 55,000 specimens had previously been spoken of. Marcus was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as follows:
“I have been saying that we would have more than 55,000 fish; I just never said how many more. "
“I said we will have over 55,000 fish; But I never said how many more. "
The fish were air freighted from Taiwan in 42 containers to Atlanta on an MD-11 .
The most famous specimens are four young whale sharks from Taiwan named Ralph, Norton, Alice and Trixie, named after the main characters of the American comedy series The Honeymooners . Ralph died on January 11, 2007 of peritonitis ; Norton was put to sleep on June 13, 2007 after swimming uncontrollably and refusing to eat. Ralph and Norton had lived in the aquarium since the exhibition opened; Alice and Trixie joined on June 3, 2006.
The Georgia Aquarium is the only facility outside of Asia that is home to whale sharks. The sharks are kept in a 24,000 m³ tank around which the entire exhibition is designed. The import of whale sharks from Taiwan, led by Jeff Swanagan and employed biologists, was top secret and had never been done before. Transportation required the use of large cargo planes, trucks, and ships to bring the vast sea creatures to Atlanta. The four whale sharks were deducted from Taiwan's now-abolished annual catch quotas and would have been killed and eaten had the Georgia Aquarium not bought them.
On May 25, 2007, the Taiwanese Fisheries Authority approved two more whale sharks in the aquarium before Taiwan finally banned their catch in 2008. The sharks caught in early 2007 arrived at the aquarium on June 1, 2007 and were named Taroko , in memory of Taroko National Park , and Yushan , after Taiwan's highest mountain, Yushan , the "Jade Mountain".
It is currently one of only two aquariums in the United States that exhibits great hammerhead sharks ; the second is the Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey . The aquarium housed five 10-foot beluga whales: two males named Nico and Gasper were rescued from an amusement park in Mexico City, where they were kept under a roller coaster. Three female animals met before the aquarium opened as part of a rearing program at the New York Aquarium : Marina, Natasha and their daughter Maris. Gasper was put to sleep on January 2, 2007 because of being too light, injured her skin and having a bone disease. Marina passed away on December 1, 2007, probably of natural causes (she was already 30 years old). Nico died unexpectedly on October 31, 2009 after he was temporarily moved - together with Natasha and Maris - to SeaWorld San Antonio to carry out construction work on the aquarium. On March 2, 2010, Maris and a new male named Beethoven returned to the Georgia Aquarium exhibit, while Natasha stayed at the San Antonio with a potential mate. The aquarium is one of six aquariums in the United States, including the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago , which has beluga whales.
The Georgia Aquarium acquired a manta ray from an aquarium in Durban, South Africa . The manta ray known as “Nandi” was accidentally caught in the nets that are used to protect the coast from sharks. Officials at the Durban facility ruled the manta ray was too big for their tank and offered the manta ray to the significantly larger Georgia Aquarium. Nandi was first shown at the Ocean Voyager Exhibition on August 25, 2008 and was the first manta ray ever to be exhibited in the United States; the aquarium is thus one of only four aquariums in the world that exhibits this species. A second manta ray has been added to the exhibition since September 2009.
Exhibitions
The aquatic animals are presented in the five galleries Georgia Explorer, Tropical Diver, Ocean Voyager, Cold Water Quest and River Scout, each corresponding to specific habitats. As you enter the aquarium on the right is the Georgia Explorer exhibit specially designed for children. It offers a number of petting pools with rays and sharks, plus exhibits about sea turtles and the wildlife of Gray Reef - a National Marine Sanctuary off the Georgia coast. The second exhibition, the River Scout , is also dedicated to the local environment: It shows an overhead river where visitors can view North American fish from below. In addition to the native species, piranhas , electric fish and other unusual freshwater creatures are on display. The third aquarium area, the Cold Water Quest , shows creatures from the polar regions of the world and contains most of the mammals. In the second largest habitat of the aquarium, this area shows beluga whales, Japanese giant crabs and African penguins . The fourth exhibit, called Ocean Voyager, contains most of the water in the entire aquarium and nearly 100,000 fish. The exhibition aims to depict life in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and presents the whale sharks; it also contains a 30 meter long underwater tunnel and the second largest aquarium window in the world. The last part of the exhibition makes a thematic shift, as the Tropical Diver exhibition shows many peculiar and unforgettable life forms in the water, including a living reef with living corals. The aquarium also features the 4D film Deepo's Undersea 3D Wondershow and other attractions, such as the Ocean Voyager - Journey With Giants exhibition hall, in which the Chedd-Angier-Lewis production company and Electrosonic Inc. provide a dynamic, interactive projection for species identification called Open Ocean Touchwall . This is a virtual aquarium in which larger-than-life, fully animated 3D representations of deep-sea fish swim across six display walls that are modeled on a water basin. Visitors can stretch their arms towards the fish and receive amusing and informative facts about the fish species presented in the form of bubbles.
In 2009 the Titanic Aquatic exhibition opened with a tour of the then RMS Titanic. The exhibition was open until September 7, 2009; now the Georgia Aquarium presents a world first Planet Shark: Predator or Prey (The World of Sharks: Predators or Prey). The exhibition focuses on refuting false myths and providing a better understanding of sharks. It will continue until the end of April u. a. Exhibit shark bites, teeth, fossils and life-size shark models of real sharks.
The company Heery International , which acted as program manager and representative of the Georgia Aquarium, was in charge of the construction of the aquarium . The Georgia Aquarium construction plans were created by Atlanta-based architecture firm tvsdesign , formerly Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates . In addition, tvsdesign developed the interior of the facility and the two souvenir shops. The aquariums were designed by the St. Louis-based company PGAV .
Conservation work
In accordance with the will of the founder Bernard Marcus, the conservation and environmental protection tasks of the aquarium have the same priority as the exhibition itself. Long before the opening, the aquarium cooperated with Georgia Tech and Georgia State University in Atlanta and the University of Georgia in Athens to protect endangered species through education and research programs.
The purchase of the male beluga whales, which suffered from inappropriate husbandry, is cited by Marcus as a prime example of the form of nature conservation that the aquarium is supposed to deal with. An estimated 100 stranded Atlantic tarpon were rescued for collection from a tidal pool on Skidaway Island off the Georgia coast. The corals used in the exhibition have been artificially grown in collaboration with Georgia Tech and the University of the South Pacific : For this purpose, blocks of pumice stone were hung over a reef near the village of Tagaqe in Fiji for 8 months , so that seaweed and invertebrates from the reef could sit on them Could establish colonies.
Facilities
The Georgia Aquarium has been the world's largest aquarium since it opened in November 2005, has 50,000 m² of covered area and has 328 tons of acrylic glass, 290 sanitary fittings, 200 floor drains, 53 house roofs, 98 km of pipes and pipes and 91,000 m of concrete walls throughout the structure. It holds 30,000 m³ of fresh and salt water (680 tons of the "Instant Ocean" salt water treatment were required for this) and houses more than 100,000 fish and other animals. The exterior of the aquarium, made of blue metal and glass, resembles a huge ark breaking through a wave. The hull of the ship rises from two large buildings with curved, flowing roofs, an embodiment of the sea swell. The world record for the largest aquarium is in great demand; The Dubai Mall with its three-story aquarium will claim the title as soon as it opens in the new Burj Khalifa in Dubai .
The planning of the aquarium construction was very ambitious with a shortened schedule to 27 months. In order to facilitate the work in the various construction phases and thus do justice to the project plan, a two-layer bitumen roof waterproofing was installed over a lightweight concrete support structure. The temporary roof enabled the construction work to be accelerated. In the last construction phase, a light gray FiberTite roof system was installed that matches the gray outer wall cladding. The construction work was awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie , a general contractor based in Birmingham, Alabama .
In addition to the huge habitats that form the heart of the aquarium, the facility includes the 1520 m² Oceans Ballroom - a banquet hall that can accommodate events with up to 1100 seats or 1600 guests for receptions. The ballroom is equipped with two 3.0 m × 8.5 m windows for the exhibition of whale sharks and belugas and can be divided into three smaller areas. However, the construction costs of the aquarium exceeded the US $ 250 million originally donated by Marcus. In order to still be able to complete the facility without compromising the construction project, six local companies have signed sponsorship agreements for the exhibition (AirTran Airways, AT&T, Georgia-Pacific, The Home Depot, Southern Company and SunTrust Banks).
In May 2008, the Georgia Aquarium announced plans to add a new dolphin exhibit to the facility for a $ 110 million facility. The extension will cover an area of 7,800 m² and contain 4,900 m³ of water. Located on the west side of the facility, the exhibition offers space for live demonstrations, large observation windows and the opportunity for visitors to interact with the animals. These were made available on loan from Marineland for the rearing program. The aquarium is self-financed for the expansion, possibly with the support of a sponsor.
Construction began in late 2008 and is expected to be completed in November 2010, five years after the aquarium opened. Some construction phases required the temporary relocation of the three belugas to SeaWorld San Antonio , as they are very sensitive to noise. This was decided by those responsible in order to rule out any risk to the animals, although no excessive stress level could be determined in the animals. Surprisingly, one of the three Belguas (Nico) died on October 31, 2009 in Seaworld; a preliminary autopsy could not determine whether the death was caused by transport or other reasons.
Location
Originally intended for the development of Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta, north of Centennial Olympic Park . The Georgia Dome , Georgia World Congress Center , Philips Arena and the CNN Center are in close proximity to the park and aquarium . The Coca-Cola Company donated 40,000 m² of land (4 ha) and opened a new World of Coca-Cola on an adjacent property. The site was christened Pemberton Place in honor of Coca-Cola founder John Pemberton .
Before it opened, the Georgia Aquarium attracted new development projects in the neighborhood, supporting the efforts of the Atlanta City Council and Central Atlanta Progress , a local business association, to revitalize the downtown area. In December 2004 construction projects for offices and hotels valued at US $ 300 million were announced for a nearby property. The Allen Plaza commercial complex is named after former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. and includes office space for Southern Company , accounting firm Ernst & Young, and the Starwood hotel chain .
Programs
In June 2008, the aquarium announced its Swim With Gentle Giants program. This is said to allow divers and snorkelers to swim with whale sharks. Up to eight visitors can enter the water at the same time. Usually one swims and dives once on weekdays and dives twice on weekends; although individual agreements for groups are also possible. However, the swimming program sparked controversy since two sharks died in the Georgia Aquarium in 2007. Some experts believe that sharks are exposed to alien germs through contact with humans. Guest divers are therefore advised to stay 5 feet away from whale sharks and other fish in the aquarium. Divers can have their experiences recorded on a souvenir DVD.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Record aquarium in Singapore: 43 million liters, 800 species, 40 divers
- ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from November 19, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ A b Bob Andres: Second manta ray at Georgia Aquarium . In: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , September 3, 2009, p. A1.
- ↑ a b c Steve Huettel: Jeff Swanagan, who turned around Florida Aquarium, dies at 51 . In: St. Petersburg Times , June 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 2, 2009 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Jim Tharpe: Georgia Aquarium creator dies . In: Atlanta Journal Constitution , June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ↑ Mike Morris: Former Georgia Aquarium director Jeff Swanagan dies . In: Atlanta Journal Constitution , June 29, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ^ No fish story: Aquarium draws million in 3 months David E. Williams, CNN, March 1, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2006
- ^ Davis, Mark: Aquarium welcomes 5 millionth visitor . Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 23, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
- ↑ Belugas in the Georgia Aquarium
- ↑ a b Simons, Craig (May 25, 2007): Taiwan approves export of 2 whale sharks. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ( Memento from May 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
- ^ Davis, Mark: Two whale sharks join trio at Georgia Aquarium , Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 1, 2007.
- ^ Mollet, Henry F. (2009). Great Hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran (Rueppell, 1837) in Captivity. ( Memento of June 2, 2004 in the Internet Archive ) Version September 2009. Accessed 14 October 2009.
- ↑ Gasper Press Release ( Memento of the original of September 27, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b Howard Pousner: aquarium beluga this . In: Atlanta Journal-Constitution . November 2, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
- ↑ Howard Pousner: 2 Belugas finally go on view at the Georgia Aquarium . In: Atlanta Journal-Constitution . March 2, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
- ^ Leon Stafford: Georgia Aquarium adds 9-foot manta ray . In: Atlanta Journal-Constitution . August 25, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ↑ About Nandi . Georgia Aquarium. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
- ↑ a b Howard Pousner: Georgia Aquarium's beluga whales sent to Texas . In: AJC.com . October 5, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
- ↑ Fausset, Richard: "Swimming with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium" . Los Angeles Times. June 19, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2008.
