Naluark Moves From IL to CT.

Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut opened its doors for their first male beluga whale named Naluark (Na-loo-ark), who was sent from the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The hope is that the whale will breed with either of the two female beluga whales currently kept at the Mystic Aquarium.


photo of Naluark via Mystic Aquarium

As you are probably well aware of my personal dislike of captivity of any kind, and this situation is very much in line with those feelings. However, if there had to be a positive to keeping whales in tanks...it would be that, "Naluark has joined three beluga whales in Mystic Aquarium’s Arctic Coast exhibit, one of the largest outdoor beluga exhibits in the nation." Better the biggest than the smallest...

For more information about the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL CLICK HERE and for more information about the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT CLICK HERE. Enjoy!

Whale Of An Experience...?

Having spent many years on the east and a fairly frequent visitor of Mystic Aquarium (located in Mystic, CT), I was intrigued when I came across this "This Whale Of An Experience" offered by the Mystic Aquarium from May to October.

It seems that you can actually get into the water and interact with the usually Arctic water based, Beluga Whale (well...3 to be exact). According to NY1, "This up close and personal experience begins when visitors don chest high waders and get 25 minutes of tactile time in the company of an experienced trainer." Trainer Kelly O'Neil says "We will let the people know when to put their hands on, take their hands off, it is extremely safe, one trainer, one whale and six people". (Forget about the people, is anyone considering the whales feelings??)





This Whale Of An Experience has three different variations of personal interaction with the white whale - "Beluga Encounter", "Whales Up Close" and "Train-A-Whale" which range in price from $49-$149.

Not feeling so excited about this...and I am sure the whales aren't either.