Aquarium of Boise facts for kids
| Date opened | December 16, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | Boise, Idaho, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°36′19″N 116°16′24″W / 43.60541°N 116.27333°W |
| No. of animals | 5000 |
| No. of species | 300 |
| Volume of largest tank | 17,000 gallon |
| Annual visitors | 180,000 |
| Major exhibits | 32 |
The Aquarium of Boise is a fun aquarium located in Boise, Idaho, United States. It's a special kind of organization called a non-profit, which means it uses its money to help its mission, not to make a profit. The aquarium first opened its doors to visitors in 2011.
Contents
A Look Back: How the Aquarium Started
The group that created the Aquarium of Boise started in 2008. They worked hard to find the perfect spot for the aquarium. Finally, they found a large warehouse in Boise and turned it into the amazing place it is today.
The aquarium officially opened on December 16, 2011. It quickly became popular, welcoming about 25,000 visitors every month! Many visitors come from Idaho and nearby states like Utah, Washington, Oregon, and California. School groups and community organizations also love to visit.
When it first opened, some parts of the aquarium were still being built. But over time, new exhibits have been added. The aquarium was built with about $300,000. This money came from small donations, season pass sales, daily tickets, grants, and special events.
From Idaho Aquarium to Aquarium of Boise
On May 21, 2014, the aquarium changed its name from "Idaho Aquarium" to "Aquarium of Boise." This change was part of a bigger plan to make the aquarium even better. They got a new team of leaders to help the aquarium grow. Their goal was to make sure the aquarium continued to be an important place for learning in the community.
Why the Aquarium is Important: Its Mission
The main goal of the Aquarium of Boise is to teach and inspire people. They want everyone to learn about and help protect animals and their homes, both on land and in the water. The aquarium believes that by understanding and caring for our planet's creatures, we can create a better future for everyone.
The aquarium works closely with different government groups. These groups include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Idaho Fish and Game. This ensures the aquarium follows all the rules for taking care of its animals.
What You Can See: Exciting Exhibits
The Aquarium of Boise is famous for its interactive exhibits. This means you can often touch or even hold some of the animals!
Touch Tanks and Amazing Animals
Some of the main exhibits include:
- A special area for baby sharks.
- A beautiful coral reef habitat.
- A large pool where you can see sharks and stingrays.
- Tanks filled with colorful jellyfish.
- A home for a giant octopus.
- Tide pools where you can explore creatures found on the coast.
In the interactive areas, you might get to touch coral, starfish, crabs, and even small sharks and rays! The aquarium also has animals that live on land or in trees. You can see colorful lories, tree frogs, and chameleons.
Future Plans for More Fun
The Aquarium of Boise is always growing! They plan to add another 5,000 square feet of space. This new area will include exciting additions like:
- A new Marine Science Academy for learning.
- More reptile exhibits.
- A new octopus exhibit.
- A bird aviary where birds can fly freely.
- A Marine Science Laboratory for studying ocean life.
