The Shark Wall outside the Newport Aquarium. (Source: flickr user hollyannh)
NEWPORT, Ky. — Newport Aquarium is making a splash this summer with the return of its Summer Family Hours promotion, when up to two children (ages 2-12) receive FREE* admission between 4-7 p.m. with the purchase of one full-priced adult ticket.
This family-favorite offer is available for purchase online only, at newportaquarium.com, for visits now through Aug. 31, Sundays through Fridays.
Guests will have even more opportunities to enjoy a million gallons of fun as Newport Aquarium has extended its operating hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through Aug. 31. With the earlier opening time, the daily Penguin Parade will begin at 9:15 a.m. during this period.
Dare to Cross the all-new Shark Bridge at Newport Aquarium.
There is always more new to see and do at Newport Aquarium and 2015 has proven to be no exception with the addition of three exciting new features:
Newport Aquarium dares guests to cross the world’s first and only Shark Bridge, a 75-foot-long rope bridge that hangs just inches above nearly two dozen sharks.
Shark Bridge provides guests extraordinary views of the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit’s 385,000-gallon tank, which features seven species of shark, including Newport Aquarium’s newest addition – extremely rare scalloped hammerhead sharks!
Newport Aquarium guests can get eye to eye with adorable Asian small-clawed otters, exotic yellow tree monitors and panther chameleon lizards, as well as Thunder the 100-year-old alligator snapping turtle at the all-new Canyon Falls exhibit.
For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).
*This special offer cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons.
North America’s largest collection of scalloped hammerhead sharks now on exhibit
NEWPORT, Ky. — Newport Aquarium’s all-new Shark Bridge – the only rope suspension bridge in North America where guests can walk just inches above nearly two dozen sharks – is scheduled to open to the public 10 a.m. Thursday, April 30.
The Shark Bridge is a 75-foot-long, V-shaped rope bridge suspended over the open waters of the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit’s 385,000-gallon tank. Should guests dare to cross, the Shark Bridge offers the thrill of walking closely atop sharks, shark rays, stingrays and hundreds of fish from an unrivaled vantage point.
“For our thrill-seeking guests who dare to cross, Shark Bridge is a breathtaking way to experience sharks like never before,” said Eric Rose, executive director at Newport Aquarium. “It’s an adventure that you can only get at Newport Aquarium.”
A family-friendly attraction, Shark Bridge is included with admission to Newport Aquarium.
Commemorating the opening of the Shark Bridge, Newport Aquarium has added extremely rare scalloped hammerhead sharks into the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit.
After the scalloped hammerheads went into the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit April 27-29, Newport Aquarium now has the largest collection of scalloped hammerhead sharks on display in North America, as well as one of the largest in the world.
Each of Newport Aquarium’s scalloped hammerhead sharks were born in 2014 during the months of June and July near Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii, one of the most the most stable breeding grounds for the endangered species. Over time, these juveniles will triple in size as adult scalloped hammerhead sharks can grow up to 14 feet in length and more than 300 pounds.
Scalloped hammerhead sharks are now on exhibit at Newport Aquarium.
“There are less than 20 institutions in the world with scalloped hammerhead sharks on exhibit,” said Chris Pierson, Newport Aquarium operations director. “Newport Aquarium is proud to be the only place in the Midwest that exhibits such a magnificent species of shark, and we are committed to educating our community about the importance of protecting this endangered species.”
In June 2014, scalloped hammerheads became the first species of shark protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474). To learn more about the WAVE Foundation, visit wavefoundation.org.
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Shark Bridge Facts It took approximately 788 hours of labor to fabricate, build and install the Shark Bridge.
More than 4 miles (approximately 21,750 feet) of rope was used to construct the Shark Bridge.
Approximately 1.5 tons (3,460 pounds) of steel were used to construct the Shark Bridge.
The addition of the Shark Bridge has tripled the viewing area that surrounds the shark tank for guests prior to exiting Newport Aquarium’s exhibits area.
Cincinnati-based GBBN Architects and THP Limited Inc. designed and engineered the Shark Bridge, with construction beginning in February and concluding in mid-April.
International Cordage Inc. out of Phoenix, Ariz. produced and installed the Shark Bridge.
Shark Research Group, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii Headquartered at the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, the SRG’s goal is to gain a better understanding of the activities of adult scalloped hammerhead sharks in order to learn more about how to protect the species. The SRG is using satellite tags to record the distance traveled by female adult scalloped hammerheads that give birth at Kaneohe Bay, as well as studying behavior patterns of male scalloped hammerheads to learn their motivations for visiting the area.
Misión Tiburón, Costa Rica While the scalloped hammerhead population near Hawaii is sustainable, most other distinct population segments around the world are at endangered levels, primarily due to overfishing. Such is the case near Costa Rica, where the nonprofit organization Misión Tiburón is leading efforts to educate the public about scalloped hammerhead’s threats, their nursery areas and how to keep them protected. Misión Tiburón believes harmful acts like finning will decrease when locals take pride in nearby marine life through education and awareness.
Aquarium’s 2015 exhibits lineup to include – back by popular demand – Otters!
NEWPORT, Ky. – Newport Aquarium announced Wednesday an exhilarating 2015 lineup of coming attractions, featuring Shark Bridge, the only suspension bridge in North America where guests can walk just inches above nearly two dozen lurking sharks.
Scheduled for a mid-April opening, Shark Bridge is a 100-foot-long, V-shaped rope bridge suspended over the waters of the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit’s 385,000-gallon tank.
Shark Bridge will be the first of its kind in North America.
Should guests dare to cross, Shark Bridge will offer an exclusive adventure and unique perspective of walking closely atop seven species of sharks, four rare and exotic shark rays, multiple stingrays and more than 300 fish.
“Shark Bridge will be a completely new way to experience sharks and a truly one-of-a-kind attraction available nowhere but Newport Aquarium,” said Eric Rose, executive director. “Our diverse collection of sharks is the cornerstone of our more than 90 exhibits, and guests will now be able to experience them like they never have.”
The addition of Shark Bridge will triple the viewing area above the Surrounded by Sharks tank prior to guests exiting the aquarium.
Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks Coinciding with the opening of Shark Bridge in mid-April, extremely rare scalloped hammerhead sharks will be added to the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit.
Newport Aquarium will be the first institution in North America to exhibit multiple scalloped hammerhead sharks.
This exhibition of scalloped hammerheads will help communicate the species’ conservation message to the public.
Newport Aquarium is working with field researchers from Hawaii, where the new hammerheads originated, to educate the public about scalloped hammerhead conservation.
The scalloped hammerheads will join 17 other sharks currently in the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit that include sand tiger, zebra, sandbar, blacktip, whitetip and nurse sharks.
Canyon Falls (featuring Otters) Coming in mid-March, Newport Aquarium will open its newest exhibit, Canyon Falls, which will occupy the area that currently houses the Turtle Canyon exhibit.
Canyon Falls will be the new home to Asian small-clawed otters, which are back by popular demand after the aquarium previously exhibited otters from 2004 to 2013.
Asian small-clawed otters are returning to Newport Aquarium in mid-March.
Newport Aquarium will offer scheduled otter talks at Canyon Falls that provide guests educational opportunities to learn more about otters and otter conservation.
Other additions to Canyon Falls include two species of lizard never before seen at Newport Aquarium – yellow monitor, a rare and active tree-dwelling lizard from Indonesia, and panther chameleon, one of the most colorful lizards in the world from Madagascar.
Remaining in Canyon Falls will be Thunder, a more than 100-year-old snapping turtle and Newport Aquarium’s oldest resident, as well as the Turtle Corral, where guests have the unique opportunity to touch several species of tortoises.
Weeki Wachee Mermaids will make a second engagement at Newport Aquarium in October.
Further details of Weeki Wachee Mermaids returning to Newport Aquarium will be announced on a later date.
Scuba Santa’s® Water Wonderland A newly reimagined Scuba Santa’s® Water Wonderland will return for its 13th season on Nov. 27. The 2015 edition of Scuba Santa® promises to offer guests new features and experiences. Further details will be provided on a later date.
A newly re-imagined Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland will make its debut in November.
For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).
Aquarium Works 