At the Mystic Aquarium

 

 

 

Barks, Chirps, Laughs: A Noisy May! With sea lion and seal barks, Mystic Aquarium residents can be a noisy bunch! Even at March Trek, bullfrogs are bellowing to attract mates. For this edition of Out of the Blue, we are going to make some noise surrounding recent news, upcoming events, and new additions on campus.

 

 

A Harp Seal Embarks on New Adventure  A recent visitor to Mystic Aquarium concluded his rehabilitation and returned to the ocean! A harp seal was found stranded a year ago in the New England area. He was underweight and appeared to be blind, so he was taken in to improve his health. During this process, the seal underwent eye surgery, and his right eye was removed to prevent further medical issues. Luckily, he passed his live fish trials which determined he is capable of hunting on his own. In April, the harp seal came to our Animal Rescue Clinic, and he had a smooth transition into the ocean!   Watch the release

 

Amplify Mystic Aquarium! USA Today already gave us a shout-out by nominating Mystic Aquarium as one of the top 20 aquariums in the United States! Our stellar exhibits, conservation efforts, and extensive research make Mystic Aquarium a leader in the aquarium industry. Help us amplify further by voting for us for USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice 2021: Best Aquarium! You can vote for Mystic Aquarium EVERY DAY until Monday, May 24 at noon ET. Each vote is important because it allows us to get one step closer to inspiring people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education, and research on the national level!   Vote Now!   Paint with a Sea Lion! Sea lions have a talent for roaring, but did you know they can also paint? Previously a virtual Animal Encounter, Paint with a Sea Lion is now available on-site! You select the colors of non-toxic paint, and the sea lion does the rest. As the sea lion paints, we'll chat about sea lion enrichment and training along with species biology, the world-class animal care received at Mystic Aquarium, and more. You even get to take home the painting with you!   Learn More!     Make the Aquarium Even Nosier! Summer Camp is Back! We are preparing weeks of laughter and fun for kids. Mystic Aquarium offers the perfect environment to enjoy and explore animals while having outdoor adventures in nature. In addition, each camp will have its own dedicated classroom within the Milne Ocean Science and Conservation Center to continue learning and exploration. Kids will be talking about Summer Campe for weeks, so don't miss out!    Sign Up today!

 

This Month's Events

 

Ocean Ambassador Coastal Clean Up Our May cleanup at Barn Island on May 8. Our goal is to remove 1000 pounds of marine debris, including ocean plastics, from local shorelines, and we need your help! Volunteers can choose a time slot, and we will break into smaller groups of no more than 15 people. Join us to clean up the ocean!   Horseshoe Crab Walk Head to the beach and witness these “living fossils” gather during our nighttime Horseshoe Crab Walk. Help Aquarium staff count the animals and learn about the role they play in our local ecosystem. Be prepared to get wet feet and hike a distance. Learn more!     Cocktails (or Mocktails) with Conservationists Join our Director of Education & Conservation for cocktails (or mocktails) and conversations with members of the Aquarium team as we explore the conservation efforts that support the Aquarium’s mission. Grab your favorite drink of choice for this week, as we celebrate both Endangered Species Day and dive into conversations about our work protecting endangered species around the world. Learn more or register.     Special Days at Mystic Aquarium Endangered Species Day (5/21): From vaquitas to African penguins, we’ll be celebrating the conservation efforts that are in place to help save some of our most threatened. Learn more. Long Island Sound Day (5/28): Celebrate our local estuary in style! You and your family will help can enjoy hands-on activities as together, we learn more about our precious Long Island Sound.

 

SUPPORT YOUR AQUARIUM  We’re making waves for the future of our ocean planet – won’t you join us?   GIVE TODAY

 

#DYK that the Mystic Aquarium community has unlocked hundreds of dollars in donations from AmazonSmile! When you shop using smile.amazon on your computer or enable AmazonSmile on your Amazon app, a donation is made at no cost to you.

 

⚠ COVID SAFETY You’ve always known our mission: To inspire others to care for and protect our ocean planet. During these unprecedented times, we are keenly focused on protecting our community as well. Click here to learn about current measures in place to ensure your safety.     Mystic Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education and research. MYSTIC AQUARIUM 55 Coogan Boulevard | Mystic, CT 06355