|
|
Tickets to the Two Oceans Aquarium can now be bought, at a 10% discount, from our online shop, which was launched on 10 August. Not only does buying online help you skip the ticket queues, but it also saves you money. Online tickets are 10% cheaper than those bought at the door, and are also valid for 90 days after purchase, making a great present for someone you care about. Tickets can be bought for all categories, whether for adults, children of 4 to 13 years and teenagers 14 to 17 years, or South African pensioners and undergraduate students. We will be adding diving tickets and membership cards to the shop soon, so watch this space. Back to Top
As September incorporates Arbour Week, the forthcoming members-only sleepover on 18 September will be themed around the environment. Parents can enjoy browsing for "green" or organic products, sample products and learn more about greening their home and office. Using recycled items from home, kids will decorate and plant a mini herb/flower box. This sleepover keepsake can later be planted in the garden, a memory of a special family night out at the Aquarium. Call 021 418 3823 or email us at members@aquarium.co.za for more information and to secure your booking. Back to Top
Come on, Capetonians, let’s clean up our act! In support of International Coastal Cleanup Day, Aquarium staff and volunteers will be cleaning up Zandvlei Estuary and Muizenberg Beach on Tuesday, 28 September. Come and join us! The International Coastal Cleanup project was initiated in 1986 and over 90 countries have volunteered to clean the beaches and coastlines within their surroundings. The mission of the cleanup is: to remove debris from the shorelines, waterways and beaches of the world’s lakes, rivers and oceans; to collect valuable information on the amount and type of debris; to educate people on the issue of marine debris; and to use the information collected to effect positive change. The Two Oceans Aquarium appeals to everyone to reduce, recycle and re-use. Most containers, bottles, and bags can be recycled and doing so will minimise the amount of litter found along beaches and in rivers, lakes and lagoons. Capetonians, help keep your beaches beautiful and be proud of your natural heritage!
Date: Tuesday, 28 September, 2010
The Two Oceans Aquarium officially launched its new boat, Aquarium 1, on 11 August at Cape Town's North Quay, and Aquarium staff, partners and the media gathered to witness the unveiling. Dr Patrick Garratt, director of the Two Oceans Aquarium, began the launch by paying tribute to the original Aquarium 1, in service for 16 years: "Back in 1994, I thought we would do well to just get 10 years out of her." Garratt thanked partner companies involved in the launch of the new boat, namely Reef Wetsuits, Bright Weights and CAPESTORM. Recalling the launch of the original boat, he then mentioned that the wife of a prominent minister at the time accidentally broke a pole, all in her effort to smash a bottle of champagne against the side of boat. On this day, however, there were no glitches as the Aquarium's Assistant Technical Manager Vincent Calder did the honours. The bottle was wrapped in netting and all of the broken glass will be recycled. Back to Top
On 16 August, two male giant spider crabs were successfully relocated from the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town to the East London Aquarium in the Eastern Cape. They were flown to their new home courtesy of 1time airline, the Aquarium’s official animal carrier. Because of their delicate long legs and fragile bodies, the crabs had to be carefully packed. “We first had to secure their legs with twine to immobilise them, so that they wouldn’t injure themselves. Then we covered them in moss to cushion and protect the rest of their bodies. To keep the crabs cool for the duration of the trip, each container was lined with ice packs,” said Tinus Beukes, the Aquarium’s operations manager. In June this year we received nine female spider crabs from Tokyo Sea Life Park in Japan. They were introduced to the spider crab exhibit in the Oceans of Contrast: Atlantic Ocean Gallery, which already housed several male spider crabs. Unfortunately, during mating, these animals tend to be aggressive toward one another, resulting in injuries such as the breaking of the crabs’ long, delicate legs. More from our blog The wonders of the deep never cease Water bottles that take only 80 days to biodegrade! Nature – the flawless inventor Back to Top
Adopt-a-School visits Through the generous sponsorship of I&J, students from Spine View Primary, Isikhokhelo Primary and Mseki Primary were able to visit the Aquarium during August. All these learners received a lesson in underwater wonders, and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thank you I&J! Your support is really appreciated. Marine and Coastal Educators' Network (MCEN) Conference The Western Cape MCEN Conference took place on 13 and 14 August. This was a great opportunity for about 52 educators from diverse organisations, including our own, to network and discuss issues relating to marine and coastal education. The theme of this year’s conference was Marine Biodiversity, which coincides with the International Year of Biodiversity. Several guest speakers presented topics relating to this theme, and knowledge exchange and networking was high on the agenda. Back to Top
“Journeys in Search of the Whale”, Noel Ashton’s multimedia presentation on the whale and man’s place in the world, was successfully launched at the Two Oceans Aquarium on 28 July. Upon arrival, guests were invited to light a candle around the Sacred Ocean sculpture as a gesture of support for the right of whales to live undisturbed. After the presentation, an open discussion was facilitated by Communications and Sustainability Manager Helen Lockhart in front of the I&J Predator Exhibit. The next public presentation takes place on 30 November in the beautiful Whale Well in the Iziko South African Museum, starting at 18h30 for 19h00. For more information, please contact studio@noelashton.com or log on to www.noelashton.com for info and images of the event. Back to Top |
|
|
|
follow us
become a Facebook fan
join us on Flickr
subscribe to our YouTube channel
Issued by Two Oceans Aquarium, August 2010
Click here to unsubscribe from our mailing list | Contact: aquarium@aquarium.co.za