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Larger Than Life Whale Exhibit Coming To Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Last Updated on September 14, 2022

Whales: Living with Giants kicks off this spring and runs through summer at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s brand new visitor center

In honor of World Whale Day, Clearwater Marine Aquarium proudly announces a fully immersive new exhibition that explores the fascinating world of these marine mammals.

Whales: Living with Giants will occupy 20,000 sq ft. of space in CMA’s newly expanded visitor center. Additionally, the activities include multi-media exhibits, a virtual reality experience, a walk-through life-size whale gallery. They will also have a kid’s interactive zone, and a theater featuring whale-related films and speakers.

“This exhibit brings our guests into an undersea experience where they come eye to eye with a wide variety of whale species found in Florida waters,” said Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, Executive Director of CMA’s Research Institute. “It’s especially timely with the recent ground-breaking discovery of an entirely new whale species not far from CMA off the Florida gulf coast”. Powell continued, “The discovery of the Rice’s whale, previously thought to be a type of Bryde’s whale, and the fact that it is already considered endangered is a stark reminder of how much we still have to learn from these beautiful creatures and the impact they have on our shared environment.”

Bringing to Light a Remarkable Discovery

For many years, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute scientists and biologists have been working with NOAA and other partners to track, monitor, and protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. “This exhibition is significant not only because it is bringing to light CMA’s work to preserve a whale species, but we will be debuting a remarkable discovery – Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale (Rice’s whale) species,” said Laura Engleby, Marine Mammal Branch Chief, NOAA Fisheries Southeast. “We truly appreciate the collaboration of our partners to educate the public through engaging experiences like this exhibition.”

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is also partnering with virtual reality entertainment group Immotion. They will bring a fully immersive VR theatre complete with motion-platform seating to CMA during the exhibit. Guests take on the role of marine biologists and observe and immerse themselves among wild, giant Humpback whales by way of virtual reality. An interactive pre-show area primes the guests with information about the animals before they embark on their adventure.

“We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Clearwater Marine Aquarium on this milestone installation,” said Group Commercial Director, Rod Findley. “We’re honored to be part of the first exhibit to go into the new expansion at the aquarium. It’s a bold step to give their guests the newest and most immersive experiences.”

Clearwater Marine Aquarium also recently underwent an $80 million expansion project. This included a visitor center and 1.5 million gallon dolphin habitat which opened to the public in October.

Images courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

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