Related: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: A Bottom-Line Focus on Guest Experience with accesso! / Georgia Aquarium and AT&T Announce Dolphin Expansion and Grand Opening Details
Visitors to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire Oaks will soon be able to venture inside a mysterious coral cave as part of an exciting new feature.
The new display, which features a giant rockwork cave and state-of-the-art lighting effects, will also be home to more than a thousand brightly coloured tropical reef fish species as well as sharks and puffer fish.
Work is already well under way on the new display, which is set to open in time for the Easter holidays.
Blue Planet Aquarium’s Paul Renolds said: “We wanted to create a new type of display which would mix the beauty of a coral reef with the mystery and excitement of entering a secret cave.
“Visitors will be able to walk inside the darkened cave and up a gently-ramped walkway to a central viewing area overlooking a stunning, naturally-themed coral reef display.
“There will also be viewing areas apparently cut into the rock which will allow tantalising glimpses of what’s inside – the aim is to recreate the magical feeling of exploration and discovery for younger visitors, ” he added.
In addition to the themed rock cavern and tunnels, Coral Cave will be home to a variety of tropical marine species like angelfish, puffer fish, parrotfish, boxfish, blue spotted stingrays and epaulette sharks living in and around a bustling coral reef.
The new feature is being created by renowned Manchester-based architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, one of the world`s leading authorities on the design, theming and construction of public aquariums.
Blue Planet Aquarium is home to tens of thousands of incredible aquatic creatures including flesh-eating piranhas, crocodiles, tropical sharks and stingrays.
Over 100 living displays in six themed areas reveal the spectacular variety of life in the deep; from mudskippers and archer fish to lionfish and moray eels.
At the aquarium’s heart is the incredible 3.8 million litre Caribbean Reef display, complete with 230ft underwater tunnel, which houses Europe’s largest collection of sharks – including three-metre-long sand tiger sharks.
Blue Planet Aquarium is open daily from 10am, except Christmas Day. Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 9LF (just off M53 Junc.10). Tel: 0151 357 8804. For information or to buy advance tickets visit www.blueplanetaquarium.com.
Images From Top:
Artist’s impression of the new Coral Cave feature at Blue Planet Aquarium, Dogfaced Puffer Fish, Moorish Idols
