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New York Aquarium News
Grab a Front Row Seat at the Aquatheater
What can crawl like a caterpillar, do a backbend like a gymnast, bark on cue, and dive down to 600 feet in the ocean? Find out at the New York Aquarium’s Aquatheater! Join us for a training demonstration starring our outgoing and talented California sea lions and harbor seals. Each session features cool facts about pinnipeds and their role in the web of life. There’s also music, humor, and lots of mischief.
Sea lion demonstrations feature rising star Duke, a four-year-old newbie to the Aquatheater, who hails from the Bronx Zoo. Duke came to the Aquarium in 2005, and keepers knew instantly that his enthusiastic nature would make him a great personality. Though his training began slowly, with keepers teaching him basics like how to focus and stay in place, it soon became clear that Duke thrived on learning new behaviors. By summer 2006, this natural star had earned a solo role in a portion of the demonstration designed specially for him! Today he is wowing audiences three times a week in the company of seasoned sea lions Otis and Osborne, and their trainers, Martha and Guenter.
The Aquarium’s pinnipeds (the scientific term for sea lions, seals, and walruses) also make great teachers. You’ll learn how to make seafood choices that are healthy for the planet, why predators like the great white shark are essential to maintaining a balanced food chain, and how the Wildlife Conservation Society is helping to save threatened marine life and habitats around the globe.
The sea lions love a big audience…some people may even say they’re a bit vain. But they always show their gratitude, and for those members of the audience who don’t mind a little fish breath, they’ll even thank you with kisses!
Aquatheater demonstrations are presented by Royal Caribbean International, a proud sponsor of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Demonstrations take place year-round, weather permitting. Times posted at Aquarium entrance.
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