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California: Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium Takes Flight with “Hot Pink Flamingos.” Monterey Bay ScubaCheckout the newest special exhibition, “Hot Pink Flamingos: Stories of Hope in a Changing Sea". Families are invited to dive into stories of hope, meet fascinating animals in the aquarium’s newest special exhibition; enjoy extended hours on summer weekends, and Aquarium Adventures throughout the year.

Visitors will gain a new perspective on global climate change by exploring its potential impacts on marine life – from tropical wading birds, green sea turtles and the colorful creatures that inhabit coral reefs, to hypnotic jellies, playful Magellanic penguins and other ocean animals. It’s one of many surprises that await visitors to the world-renowned aquarium.

Seven galleries weave together stories about the different ways that climate change is affecting ocean animals. Each gallery will spotlight tales of hope involving people and communities that are fighting climate change and making a difference.

Visitors are welcomed to “Hot Pink Flamingos” through a motif of iconic posters like those promoting national solidarity during wartime or to mobilize the public for social change. In this case, they identify the challenges of a changing ocean, provoking questions and encouraging visitors to make a difference.

The 7,000-square-foot exhibition introduces visitors to living animals from around the world, and incorporates video and hands-on activities to address how our energy use creates carbon pollution. They also spotlight the possible effects of carbon pollution on the oceans: from rising sea levels and melting Arctic ice, to ocean acidification, warming waters and disappearing food. Still, the overall message of “Hot Pink Flamingos” is one of hope.

In the “Under Water” gallery, visitors come face-to-face with five-foot-tall gangly Chilean flamingos, scarlet and white ibises, striking roseate spoonbills, cattle egrets and other wading birds, and discover how rising sea levels affect coastal wetland habitats. An interactive map illustrates what the impacts would be on cities around the world.

In the evocative “Acid Ocean” gallery, visitors encounter a healthy coral reef community bustling with exotic fishes, ornate sea anemones and other animals. The 10-foot-long reef showcases the textures, colors and motion of living corals, as bright yellow butterfly fish, tangerine-hued anemone fish and other species dash about the reef.

In other galleries visitors will meet tropical spotted jellies, young green sea turtles, playful Magellanic penguins and other amazing wildlife that help illustrate the impacts of climate change on their ocean homes. Monterey Bay Aquarium

Scattered throughout the multimedia galleries, visitors will find talk-back stations where they can share their concerns, opinions, thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis, and can pledge to do their part. To complement visitors’ Hot Pink Flamingos voyage, the aquarium has created a new 15-minute theatrical presentation and a short, educational film on climate change presented in the auditorium.

“Hot Pink Flamingos: Stories of Hope in a Changing Sea” offers many reminders that we all belong to this Earth, are responsible for taking care of our home – and that we can help lessen impacts of climate crisis by making little changes on our own and big changes together.

Through engaging exhibits, ongoing conservation outreach and research programs the aquarium will continue to inspire ocean conservation throughout 2010.

In addition to special exhibitions, the aquarium’s acclaimed permanent exhibits include playful sea otters; a towering three-story kelp forest; touch pools and other hands-on exhibits; the award - winning Splash Zone: Ocean Homes family galleries; and a million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit, home to sharks, tuna, barracuda and other open-ocean animals.

General admission tickets, as well as behind-the-scenes tour tickets, are now available online at www.montereybayaquarium.org. There’s no service charge to print tickets at home or pick them up upon arrival, and just a small fee to receive tickets by mail. Either way, advance tickets are a great way to avoid ticket lines on busy days.

Also in summer and back by popular demand are extended weekend hours during “Evenings by the Bay.” Each Saturday and Sunday from July 4 through September 5 visitors will have two additional hours – until 8 p.m. – to enjoy “Hot Pink Flamingos” and everything else the aquarium has to offer.

Make it happen. “Hot Pink Flamingos: Stories of Hope in a Changing Sea” is included with regular aquarium admission of $29.95 adult; $27.95 senior (65+) and student (full-time college, with I.D.); and $17.95 children 3-12 and the disabled (2010 prices). Children under 3 are admitted free of charge. Discounted tickets for members of the military and their families can be purchased in advance at many California and Nevada installations.

Location on the planet. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, acclaimed as one of the world’s finest, has attracted more than 46 million visitors and has won national awards for its permanent and special exhibitions, its architecture, and its cultural, educational and economic impact. More information on aquarium exhibits and programs is available online or by calling (831) 648-4888. Advance tickets can be purchased online or toll-free by phone from the aquarium toll-free 1-866-963-9645. Seasonal specials, details about special events and programs, family activities and live web cams can all be found online at www.montereybayaquarium.org
 
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.
 
Information and images provided by Monteray Bay Aquarium. Copyright 2010.
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