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Shedd Aquarium is pleased to announce that its world-class marine mammal pavilion now bears a new name: the Abbott Oceanarium. The renaming is in recognition of the significant support provided for the Shedd Aquarium by Abbott, the global health care company based in north suburban Chicago, and its philanthropic foundation the Abbott Fund. Abbott’s support will help advance the Shedd’s ongoing mission to connect people to the living world, inspiring them to make a difference for the people of Chicago and beyond.
"Shedd Aquarium is extremely pleased and grateful to receive the support of Abbott to further strengthen Shedd’s civic and community efforts, " said Shedd President and CEO, Ted Beattie. "Renaming our beautiful Oceanarium exhibit to include Abbott’s name is an appropriate reflection of Abbott’s contributions to help advance the important leadership role Shedd Aquarium plays in conservation, education, and research."
"Abbott is proud to support the Shedd Aquarium, and to have our name associated with one of the city’s leading cultural and educational institutions, " said John B. Thomas, President, the Abbott Fund. "The Abbott Oceanarium is a testament to our longstanding shared commitment to strengthening the vitality of Chicago, and to safeguarding the environment."
The Abbott Oceanarium is home to some of the ocean’s most charismatic animals: beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, California sea lions, penguins and other marine mammals and aquatic species. Overlooking the majestic Lake Michigan shoreline, the Abbott Oceanarium provides an idyllic setting for interactive aquatic science learning. Aquatic shows featuring marine mammals, behavioral presentations, and "animal chats" take place daily. These educational presentations highlight many of the natural behaviors of the animals.
In the Abbott Oceanarium’s lower level, Polar Play Zone, young children and their families will make discoveries and have fun as they encounter nature’s opposites-big and small, cold and warm, rough and smooth-and learn about wide-ranging habitats and contrasting adaptations. Connecting with animals through play will inspire our youngest guests to care-the first step toward making a difference.
In 2008, Shedd Aquarium launched a nine-month renovation to revitalize and re-imagine the guest experience in the Abbott Oceanarium. During that time, Shedd updated its state-of-the-art animal care infrastructure, improved guest amenities, and created new, never-before-offered experiences and exhibits.
ABOUT SHEDD AQUARIUM:
Since 1930, the John G. Shedd Aquarium has been connecting the human world to the aquatic world through its majestic and unique animals, award-winning exhibits, leading conservation and research initiatives and world-class educational programming. Caring for more than 32, 000 animals, representing nearly 1, 500 species from around the world, Shedd Aquarium is the "world’s aquarium." From its architecturally historic aquarium galleries, to its world-renowned marine mammal pavilion, the Abbott Oceanarium, to the colorful and exciting Wild Reef exhibit, Shedd Aquarium is one of the preeminent aquariums in the world. Shedd ranks as Chicago’s top-attended cultural attraction and one of the top-attended aquariums in North America – welcoming 2 million guests every year. For more information, visit www.sheddaquarium.org.
ABOUT ABBOTT
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs nearly 90, 000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott’s news releases and other information are available on the company’s website at www.abbott.com.
