. . Newport Aquarium will continue to celebrate its 25th anniversary by kicking off Shark Summer with the addition of two new Zebra Sharks and a young Shark Ray named Shan to its Surrounded By Sharks exhibit. Shark Summer is a fun way to share our love for all things shark. It s inspiring to see people learn something new from the animals we care for every day, said Newport Aquarium s General Curator Kelly Sowers, I m looking forward to seeing Shan and the new Zebra Sharks connect with guests all summer long. . The Zebra Sharks and Shark Ray are just a few of the dozens of shark and ray species visitors will discover during Shark Summer at Newport Aquarium. Shark Summer is really exciting, and it s a great interaction for our visitors. It s also our 25th anniversary, and we celebrated that by welcoming three new faces to the Surrounded By Sharks exhibit. We ll see Shan the Shark Ray. She is adorable. Then, we will also see our two new Zebra Sharks. They are both males, and they have really been a joy to watch, and visitors have enjoyed seeing them so far, said Madison Brady, public relations manager at Newport Aquarium. She said one thing she is thrilled about is being able to watch kids get up close to the sharks, who are often misunderstood due to the way they are represented in movies or on television. It s neat to see that connection being made between kids and the animals. Then, when they leave the aquarium, they are inspired to take care of the waterways around them, and the sharks that live within it, said Brady. . Both male Zebra Sharks are about two years old and swim through the 385,000gallon exhibit, sometimes resting on the bottom of the sandy floor where visitors can take a closer look at their large, rounded teeth, which allow the sharks to crush their food. During Shark Summer, guests can watch this endangered species grow alongside the newly arrived Shark Ray named Shan. . . Born in Taiwan, Shan is a young Shark Ray that Newport Aquarium s Animal Care Team named after one of her original caretakers. Shan the Shark Ray has thrived after being born under human care with help from Newport Aquarium s worldrenowned research on these rare and critically endangered animals. Shan joins two other Shark Rays, a female named Sunshine and a male named Scooter. Shark Summer may be experienced throughout the aquarium where visitors can interact with dozens of sharks. In Shark Central, for example, guests can reach in and touch them each species in the exhibit has a different texture and pattern. Also, visitors can take a peek into the Shark Nursery to see the differences between several types of shark eggs. Plus, the ultimate Shark Summer adventure is crossing Newport Aquarium s Shark Bridge, a rope bridge suspended just inches above a tank full of sharks, rays and more than 300 fish. There are several places you can see our new shark friends. We have the Shark Ray Bay Theater, which is a giant, ocean area window that leads into our 385,000gallon shark talk. You ll see a lot of really cool friends in there. You ll see Brutus the Giant Grouper, and Denver the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and we have our Sand Tiger Sharks in there as well, Brady said. So, it s just a really cool look into the ocean, and what that would look like. It s the closest you can get to it in Northern Kentucky without a snorkel. . In Surrounded By Sharks, visitors are immersed in an underwater world as they explore 85feet of seamless tunnels that wind through the heart of this large ocean ecosystem. Guests are surrounded by various species of sharks, stingrays and schooling fish as they swim around, above, and beneath you. In honor of its 25th anniversary, the aquarium is offering two additional months for free when visitors get a Gold or Platinum Membership. This allows members to enjoy two summers of fun with just one pass and is available through Aug. 4. Shark Summer at Newport Aquarium runs through Sept. 8, and is included with the purchase of a general admission ticket or a membership. . . How to go. What:Shark Summer at Newport Aquarium. When:Shark Summer runs through Sept. 8. Where:Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY. Admission:Buy tickets online in advance atNewportAquarium.comand save with PlanAheadPricing. More information:Visitwww.NewportAquarium.com. Also, follow Newport Aquarium on social media. About the Author
Newport Aquarium commemorates its 25th anniversary with Shark Summer, introducing two Zebra Sharks and a young Shark Ray named Shan to the Surrounded By Sharks exhibit. Visitors can interact with various shark and ray species, touch them at Shark Central, and traverse the Shark Bridge over a tank of marine life. The aquarium extends two free months for Gold or Platinum Memberships in celebration. Attendees can enjoy Shark Summer until September 8, included with general admission or membership purchase.