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Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, more that 25 years old, was once just a typical Aquarium, but now it must be listed among the top five in the nation. It also leads a unique class of its own with the coordinated efforts of Bob Ballard, the famous sea explorer who discovers and recovers many historic underwater wonders, his most famous being the Titanic.The completely renovated Aquarium was completely renovated in 1999 at which time Bob's Challenge of the Deep was opened to exhibit his finds and his equiment when it is not in use. Bob had spent years diving and going below in small submarines. Once when Bob was exploring the ocean floor outside of the exploration sub, which had required several hours to descend and would require several hours to re-ascend, leaving only a brief time to explore, Bob looked into the sub window and realized his crew were watching his movements on the TV monitor in the sub instead of through the window, and it occurred to him that this could be done from the surface by ship. He began to research and develop the ROV, now a standard way to search the ocean depths. With Remote Onsite Vehicles the research was not limited to the few man hours of pressure, and these robots could be operated and viewed from above. ROV's could act as an ardheologist to retrieve finds. Much of the research and study is done on site and by camera, and the artifacts are left in their natural grave below water. Bob found the PT 109 of J. F. Kennedy in World War II last fall, and the extensive exhibit at Mystic Auarium is part of the Challenge. Thus began a new generation of ocean exploration.

Now Bob's Challenge of the Deep center houses the subs, robots, and equipment when not in use, and adults and children can see it. If you are one of the lucky children in each group of visiors, you can even operate a robot beneath the sea, perhaps a half a world away, in real time, and watch the monitor camera from Mystic Aquarium. The scientific and archeological discoveries Bob exhibits at his Challenge of the Deep provide a wealth of knowledge in a world of fun presentation, for kids of all ages to enjoy and learn. His Black Sea Expedition this summer will be a return for intensive research on the oldest wooden ship wreck in the world, which in his accustomed fashion, Bob will leave in its sandy grave but explore underwater. Come join the expedition via monitors at the Challenge of the Deep Exhibits.

Mystic Aquarium provides exciting face-to-fish exhibits of all forms of underwater life from sea to river to tidepools, and you can handle many of the animals in the hands-on exhibits. You can also get an extra behind the scenes tour ticket to help feed and get a closer view of the running of the aquarium. Men especially like to see the huge machinery required to filter the 850,000 gallons of water every 70 minutes, which is salinated to the perfect balance and returned to the aquaria, providing a healthy environment for all the aquatic life.

Animal rights advocates will be happy to learn that Mystic Aquarium never takes animals from the wild. All their specimen are either rescued as part of the North East Stranded program. They answer calls in Connecticutt, Rhode Island and Cape Cod to rescue and nurse injured animals and return them to their natural habitats. Other specimen at the aquarium are ones which are the result of the extensive breeding program at Mystic.

We were simply overwhelmed at the first large glass viewing window we came to when we were playfully greeted by big white beluga whales turning somersaults in the water, rolling over, blinking playfully at us. The two males (identified by chubby love handles on their sides) and four females are part of a national breeding program for which this aquarium has been chosen. The breeding season is in winter, and that is fortunate for tourists because in summer, from June to October, you can sign up ahead of your visit to join the Beluga Contact Program. You'll don waders provided and get into the water to pet these friendly white aquatic mammals. To plan ahead for this wondrous event call 860-572-5955, Ext. 520. But whether you sign up for this program or not, your children will feel as if they have touched the whales when they come nose-to nose with them through the glass, and you'll get great photos!

Several other breeding colonies are fun to watch. A large group of Northern Fur Seals and lighter, spotted harbor seals are in residence here in an environ that replicates Coook Inlet of Alaska.

You'll find also a very active group of Stellar Sea Lions, the largest species. These endangered animals are also part of the research, education, and breeding program to try to save the species which are dying in the wild. These animals love to play with each other and are quite agile in the water. Note that sea lions have no ears, their most easily distinguishing difference from seals. Sea lions also can climb much higher than seals because seals are mobile only through the movements of their front flippers, instead of all four like the sea lions.

No one will want to miss the antics of the African penguins who are quite social and friendly and enjoy contact with people. They are quick to learn and are rewarded not with food but with petting. This exhibit is open air, and you can go behind the scenes where the adorable little animals jump onto their own scales to be weighed and even sit on the workers laps. They lose their little tuxedos each year when they molt. Just prior to molting their eating increases fivefold because while molting they stop eating and stay out of the water. When new feathers have grown in, the penguins preen themselves very carefully so that each feather lies just right in order to be water proof! The breeding program here is so successful and the birds such good parents that penguins from other aquaria are sent here so that these birds can teach other bird these vital skills. Mystic's successful breeding program helps save this species.

The aquarium animals here are lucky diners: they eat restaurant quality, grade A fish, 30,000 pounds of it a month! Attendants begin at 5:30 AM, removing fish from the freezer to thaw for food. They are checked carefully three times before they are fed to the aquarium resident animals.

Hungry visitors will find two good places to eat; Water front Café has many selections and serves quickly. For the more leisurely and relaxing meal in a lovely setting, select Lakeside Patio Restaurant beneath the yellow tent.

Mystic Aquarium averages about 5,000 visitors daily during summer but handles the crowds skillfully with adequate indoor and outdoor room and exhibits. There are shows, shops, and special exhibits which change frequently, so you'll want to return often I f you live in the area. It is open 9a.m. to 5 p.m. year round except Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving Days.

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