The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is opening an underwater-inspired immersive exhibition on orcas on 26 April.
Orcas: Our Shared Future is a 10,000-square-foot exhibition, described as an immersive look at the lives and impact of orcas, the apex predator of all oceans.
Guests will explore the connections between orcas, people and the oceans through life-size orca family replicas and dynamic installations.
"Orcas are among Earth’s most complicated, fascinating, and misunderstood beings," said Lori Bettison-Varga, president and director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County.
"I hope visitors will leave Orcas: Our Shared Future with a deep appreciation for these powerful icons of the seas and the significant role they play in our ocean ecosystems – and our imaginations."
On view in the exhibition will be 140 original artefacts and specimens, including a sculpture of an articulated adult female orca skeleton.
The exhibition also includes sculptures, masks, and prints by Indigenous artists of the Pacific Northwest coast to provide additional perspectives on the connection between orcas and people.
Guests will learn about the complex social structure of orca society and the consequences of orca captivity, and discover which orca populations are thriving and which are at risk.
Orcas: Our Shared Future will be on view at the museum in Exposition Park for a limited time from 26 April. It is an add-on experience, with tickets starting at $12 for adults and $6 for children.
The exhibition is produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada and MuseumsPartner in Austria.
Earlier this year, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County announced the creation of a new centre for Ice Age research at La Brea Tar Pits.
The facility will also serve as a visitor attraction, providing immersive installations and interactive experiences that tell the story of Los Angeles' Ice Age past.
Images courtesy of the Royal British Columbia Museum
