Arctic Coast Rededication and Belugas Seminar November 21, 2008

On November 21, from 11 a.m. to noon, visitors to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., will witness a truly unique ceremony during the rededication of the Arctic Coast exhibit, an event to recognize the generous gift from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation that made construction of the exhibit possible.

In 1996, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation gave the Aquarium $5 million, which funded the expansive outdoor exhibit that currently houses the Aquarium’s three beluga whales and the seven belugas visiting from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Containing more than 750,000 gallons of water, it is one of the largest outdoor beluga exhibits in the nation.

Originally named the Alaskan Coast, the exhibit was recently renamed to accommodate a wider range of species, providing the opportunity for this rededication.

The ceremony will include speeches from Sea Research representatives, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation councilors and elders from Point Lay, Alaska, where Dr. Tracy Romano, senior vice president of research and zoological operations at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, conducts beluga research each summer.

A blessing of the exhibit and animals, ceremonial dance performance organized by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the unveiling of the new exhibit plaque will follow.

On the evening of November 21, Dr. Romano and Robert Suydam of the Department of Wildlife Management in North Slope Borough, Alaska, will give presentations on research around beluga whales, the Arctic and climate change during a wine and cheese reception from 6 to 8 p.m.

Please RSVP by November 18 by calling (860) 572-5955, ext. 204 or e-mailing reservations@mysticaquarium.org.

For more information, call (860) 572-5955 ext. 204 or e-mail reservations@mysticaquarium.org.

Official Website: http://www.mysticaquarium.org