June 22, 2010
Come to Jazzin’ at the Shedd to see things you wouldn’t during regular hours! Like pool toys—very sturdy pool toys—in the Oceanarium habitats.
"One of the things we do for the animals at night is enrichment," says Ken Ramirez, executive vice president, animal programs and training. "During the day, we focus on training and personal interactions. At night, when we go home, we put enrichment items"— toys—"into the habitats for the animals to play with."
December 07, 2009
More than 30 feet in the air, dangling in darkness over 2 million gallons of cold salt water, Rick Maloney takes a deep breath and prepares for the plunge.
Rick is a member of the Marine Mammals Department and a featured performer in the new aquatic show, Fantasea. In this magical production, dolphins jump and summersault, beluga whales tail walk and breach, and marine mammal trainers fly and freefall into the water from breathtaking heights.
November 19, 2009
For the top-to-bottom Oceanarium renovation, Kris Nesbitt, senior exhibit designer, and Kara Kotwas, senior graphic designer, saw the underwater viewing gallery as a blank canvas on which to create a universally accessible permanent exhibit where “all children can find something to do.”
November 10, 2009
The reviews are in and Fantasea is a "must sea!" Check out reviews in The Chicago Tribune, Southtown Star and WBBM radio.
Check out this video introducing the cast of Shedd's new aquatic show.
Posted by Jay Geneske, web editor
October 16, 2009
Here's a look back at the renovation of the reimagined Oceanarium. Thanks for supporting Shedd and visit us soon!
Posted by Jay Geneske, web editor
October 08, 2009
Check out the official trailer for Fantasea, which debuts Oct. 16 at Shedd!
Posted by Jay Geneske, web editor
July 15, 2009
The Steve Irwin Fellowship complements Shedd Aquarium’s mentor programs for Chicago high school students interested marine science careers. The three-week program includes a week at Shedd shadowing animal care staff members and two weeks in Australia gaining hands-on experience at partner zoological institutions. Katie Dziedzic, the third recipient of this prestigious fellowship, filed this report of her amazing experience:
July 09, 2009
The High School Marine Biology program participants share their discoveries from their last day in the Bahamas, and reflect on their entire experience. Here’s a blog post from two of the participants:
We can’t believe that today is our last day in the Bahamas! It has been an amazing trip that none of us will forget. Today we went to Cat Cay to do a beach seine, and had the opportunity to look at the homes being built on the island. Each of us wondered how the building development will affect Cat Cay’s surrounding environment.
June 26, 2009
The July 2 premiere of Fantasea, Shedd’s new multimedia, multi species aquatic show — is being delayed until later this summer.
Animal care is our first priority, and we want to ensure the show is the best guest experience it can be. After being away from the Oceanarium for nine months during its renovation, the animals are still getting acclimated to their new surroundings. We are giving them more time to make themselves at home. Later this summer we will debut the show our guests have been looking forward to.
Guests can explore a world of wonders in the reimagined Oceanarium, from welcoming home new and familiar faces to the Oceanarium family, and experiencing the new, permanent exhibit Polar Play Zone made just for kids, a first for Shedd.
May 26, 2009
