The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Draper, Utah, United States. It houses 4,500 animals representing 550 species, and it consists of five main exhibits.
History
The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium was founded in 1997 by Brent Andersen, a Utah native and marine biology graduate from the University of California Santa Barbara.[5]
Exhibits
Ocean Explorer
The Ocean Explorer features saltwater species from all over the world, including jellyfish, moray eels, octopus, seahorses, sea turtles, wolf eels, clownfish, lionfish, stingrays, and nine species of shark. Shark species include swellsharks, horn sharks, coral catsharks, epaulette sharks, nurse sharks, zebra sharks, sandbar sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and grey reef sharks. The shark tunnel weighs 26,000 pounds and was lifted through the roof of the aquarium with a crane. The tunnel is made from 3.5 inch thick acrylic.[6]
Antarctic Adventure
Antarctic Adventure immerses guests in a Falkland Islands research station where they meet gentoo penguins.[7]
Journey to South America
The Journey to South America is made to look like a rainforest, and houses animals such as a 14-foot yellow anaconda, piranhas, caiman, corydoras, tarantulas, tree boas, electric eels, and poison dart frogs. The exhibit is meant to educate guests about the biodiversity of rainforest ecosystems, the benefits rainforests provide, and how to help protect rainforest habitats.[8]
Expedition: Asia
Expedition: Asia opened on June 15, 2016. The traveling exhibit features a breeding pair of clouded leopards, three male Asian small-clawed otters, three Asian arowana, a baby Komodo dragon, and many different species of Asian birds, fish, and reptiles, including even Vietnamese white clouds, Nicobar pigeons and common hill mynas. The main feature of Expedition: Asia are the aquarium's two roul-rouls, Roulanda and Raoul.[9]
Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza
The Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza was added to the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in 2020. It features the signature VR claw, two playgrounds, and even outdoor habitats for various fish species.[10]
Community outreach
The aquarium's education department currently operates two outreach programs: the Utah Waters Van and the Rainforest Van.[11][12]
References
- ^ "Utah Aquarium Breaks Ground October 24" (PDF). Thelivingplanet.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ Wadley, Carma (May 31, 2009). "Living Planet Aquarium offers a fun-filled educational experience for kids of all ages". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
- ^ "Living Planet Aquarium Exhibits". Archived from the original on March 17, 2015.
- ^ Ostergar, Martha (March 27, 2015). "Photos: Loveland Living Aquarium". KSL.
- ^ Knudson, Max B. (February 19, 1998). "Duo set sights on huge Living Planet Aquarium for Utah". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
- ^ "Ocean Explorer". Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Antarctic Adventure". Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ https://livingplanetaquarium.org/animal-habitats/south-america/
- ^ "Expedition: Asia". Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "New expansion at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, formerly used for major concert tour". July 2, 2020.
- ^ Hayes, Elyse (May 30, 2002). "New 'water' vans deliver education to students". Deseret News. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014.
- ^ Campbell, Joel (December 14, 1999). "Van Puts Rain Forest In The Classroom". Deseret News. Retrieved July 20, 2012.