Aquarium of Niagara facts for kids
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| Date opened | June 12, 1965 |
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| Location | 701 Whirlpool Street, Niagara Falls, New York 14301 |
| Coordinates | 43°05′40″N 79°03′37″W / 43.0943249°N 79.0601435°W |
The Aquarium of Niagara is a non-profit public aquarium dedicated to education and conservation of aquatic life. Originally privately owned and founded by a group of chemists and other scientists, it opened on June 12, 1965. Ownership was transferred to a non-profit foundation, the Sea Research Foundation, in 1977, and then to the Niagara Aquarium Foundation in 1994. The Aquarium is located in downtown Niagara Falls, New York, near Niagara Falls State Park. The Aquarium features rescued seals and sea lions, Humboldt penguins, sharks, jellyfish, and over 120 species of fish and invertebrates. The Aquarium of Niagara is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Niagara Aquarium Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees appoints an Executive Director who has immediate charge and control of the administration and operation of the Aquarium. The Aquarium of Niagara is currently under the direction of Gary K. Siddall, who was hired for the role of Executive Director in June 2016.
Major exhibits
The Aquarium of Niagara is home to over 120 species of animals, including:
- California sea lions
- Harbor seals
- Gray seals
- Humboldt penguins
- Jellyfish
- Freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates
Programming
Experiences included with regular admission include sea lions shows, seal presentations, penguin feedings and educational talks with Aquarium team members. Experiences available for an additional cost include:
- Seal encounters
- Penguin encounters
- Trainer for a day program
- Birthday parties
- Sleepover programs
- Summer camps
The Aquarium of Niagara also offers field trips, outreach programing, home school classes, and scout badge workshops that are all aligned with the Aquarium's core values and mission statement, which advocate education and conservation of aquatic life.
