
It’s Cinco de Mayo, a major celebration in Chicago. At Shedd Aquarium, you’ll meet some of Mexico’s most intriguing freshwater animals, like the ghostly blind cave fish and those tadpoles for life, axolotls, in the Islands and Lakes gallery. The iguana habitat in this gallery features reef fishes you’d find if you were diving off Cozumel or Yucatan.
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The black sea nettles are not only new to Shedd’s Jellies special exhibit; they are also new to science. Chrysaora achlyos was only described and named—scientists’ process of recognizing a new species—in 1997, although the large, deep purple nettles were known from photographs taken in 1926.
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To celebrate the 18th season of Jazzin’ at the Shedd—which kicks off tonight at 5 p.m.—we’re turning the spotlight on some of our most instrumental animals. No fish at Shedd represents blues-tinged jazz better than our whitespotted guitarfish, Lucille.
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The Nassau grouper was once one of the most important fishery species in the Caribbean region. Not so today: Populations are near extinction in many parts of the Atlantic and Caribbean, and the Nassau grouper is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Continue reading "Nassau Groupers in Trouble: Shedd Field Research" »
This week Shedd Aquarium took part in a rescue operation in the Florida Keys that combined military precision with extreme environmental sensitivity to save more than 1,500 coral colonies and fragments from destruction. That’s no surprise because the request for assistance in saving the corals came from the Naval Air Station Key West and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
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Spring offers many more opportunities to enjoy the Great Lakes, whether it is boating, fishing or going to the beach! There are many things you can do to help “Keep the Lakes Great” while enjoying the lakefront.
Part of what makes the Great Lakes such a special place to enjoy the outdoors is the amazing local species of wildlife and plants. Unfortunately, there are more than 180 aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes today. Invasive species are non-native organisms which cause, or are likely to cause, harm to the local economy, environment or human health. By altering habitats, outcompeting local wildlife for shelter and food, and reproducing unchecked without any natural predators, invasive species harm many native species that have survived here for millennia.
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Warm sun, white sandy beaches, snorkeling in crystal clear waters – yes, its spring break time! Can’t get away for a Caribbean island adventure? Don’t worry, you can still see much of the breathtaking wildlife you would expect to see at some of the best dive locations right here in Chicago. Shedd’s Caribbean Reef habitat contains approximately 900 animals representing 80 species commonly found in the Caribbean. So if you can’t snorkel away this spring break how about a quick dive highlighting a few of the amazing animals you’ll see here at Shedd! We are even extending our hours to give you more opportunities to enjoy Shedd, for a full listing of our spring break hours click here.
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Since 1998, Shedd Aquarium has been a key partner with Project Seahorse, a marine conservation organization dedicated to studying and protecting seahorses while helping people who depend upon them for their livelihoods. While Project Seahorse has programs all over the world, it has maintained an active presence in the Philippines since its inception. Recently Shedd’s conservation and research leadership team visited the Philippines to meet with our conservation partner to see how the program has grown since our last visit many years ago. In the next few weeks we’ll share some of the trip highlights, with the first stop being an Apo Island visit.
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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.
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