Maritime Aquarium Asks For Help Naming New Shark Exhibit

Norwalk CT

25 November, 2021

9:03 AM

Description

NORWALK, CT — The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is opening a new shark exhibit this week and would like help naming it. Starting Nov. 23 and through Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30, the aquarium is inviting anyone who donates a minimum required amount to suggest a name for the new display, which will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the complex care needed by four new sandbar sharks, according to a news release. "We're excited to combine a different way to view sharks, and a different way to engage with our community," Danielle Tranzillo, the aquarium's vice president of philanthropy and engagement, said in a news release. "The exhibit itself showcases the important work of providing the highest-quality care to our resident animals, and the naming opportunity offers the public a chance to support us directly in this work." As the exhibit is more than just a display of sharks, submitted names will be weighed on creativity and alignment with the exhibit's theme of animal care and welfare. "We have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of some 7,000 animals from 300-plus species in our care," Director of Animal Husbandry Barrett Christie said in a news release. "We constantly monitor the animals to ensure they are safe, healthy, well-nourished and able to demonstrate natural behaviors." Opening Nov. 26, the new exhibit features four 4-to-5-foot sandbar sharks (carcharhinus plumbeus), one of the shark species native to Long Island Sound. The sharks will serve as examples of how animals new to the aquarium are quarantined before being introduced into the permanent displays. In the exhibit, the animal husbandry staff will measure and chart the sharks' growth, screen for health issues, including contagious infections, and teach the sharks how to feed in a safe and controlled way. Displays will offer information about sandbar sharks and their care; explain the careful process of receiving the sharks from a vetted facility in Florida, where the sharks were born and raised; and trace out the complex life-support systems needed to create the optimal aquatic habitat for the sharks. Suggestions for the exhibit's name will be accepted from anyone contributing at least $50 between Nov. 23 and 30, or $10 with the purchase of aquarium admission. Aquarium staff will then select the top three suggestions and put them up for public voting online during the weekend of Dec. 4 and 5. Links to vote will be on the aquarium's website and social media pages. The winning name will be announced Dec. 6. In addition to seeing the name welcoming guests over the door of the exhibit, the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium, including the chance to watch the feeding of the large sand tiger sharks from above their exhibit. The two runners-up each will receive four admission tickets and a plush shark toy. Learn more about the new exhibit and the naming contest, including the full list of rules, at www.maritimeaquarium.org.