The Newport Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Newport, Kentucky.

Overview

The Newport Aquarium located within the Newport on the Levee shopping mall is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment. Newport Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Aquarium has 70 exhibits, 14 galleries, and consists of 1000000 usgal of water, including five acrylic tunnels totaling over 200 ft in length. It is the first aquarium to successfully breed shark rays. It also has a collection of alligators, including albino alligators.

Shark Ray breeding program

The breeding program was founded in 2007. Soon after, the shark ray breeding program became noted as one of the pioneering efforts in the area, resulting in the successful reproduction of two shark rays. The breeding process is considered challenging due to the species' aggressive mating behavior, which has previously led to the death of a female shark ray. As of now, the aquarium displays four adult shark rays.

Outreach programs

Mobile Shark Cart is a mobile cart that is taken offsite to raise awareness of shark conservation. The WAVE program promotes the importance of ocean conservation, leadership, and STEM to youth. Individuals can go behind the scenes with a staff member to see how the aquarium works and learn about the conservation programs and species at the aquarium.

Seasonal events

Mermaid's Cove is an interactive event in which guests see and talk to performers dressed as mermaids about ocean conservation in the Shark Ray Bay Theater and Coral Reef tank. This event is normally scheduled during September. A performer dressed as Scuba Santa appears between the end of November through January 1 each year, excluding Christmas Day. He can be seen in the shark tank with his elves.

Albino alligators

The Newport Aquarium is home to two albino alligators. Snowball, a male, is eight feet long and weighs nearly 175 pounds. Snowflake, a female, is six feet long and weighs nearly 95 pounds. There are fewer than 100 albino alligators known in the world today.

Gallery