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Gazette, Jul y 30th, 2014
AQUARIUM HOSTS HOSTS GLOW IN THE SHARK SLEEPOVER
Aquarium hosts Sea Turtle Research Trip for Tenns August 16th
(Pictured Above): A student observes a leatherback sea turtle as part of the Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program. Kure Beach, NC – Sea turtle patrols, rafting in the rain forest, habitat preservation—high school students interested in these activities are invited to learn more about the Costa Rica Sea Turtle Ecology Program. An informational session will be held at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 16. Aquarium staff will share details of the program and 9-day trip scheduled for June 22-30, 2015. During the trip participants assist with a leatherback sea turtle monitor-
ing project, collect data on nesting turtles, meet local students and more. The program also includes 30 hours of instruction in sea turtle biology, rain forest ecology and research methodology. Students experience international travel and culture, Spanish language skills, research and academic field work. Financial aid information will be shared during the August presentation. The trip is open to all high school students ages 14 to 18. See TURTLE, page 15B
(Pictured Above): A moon jelly glows with the aid of neon lighting at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Kure Beach, NC – The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher premiers a new neon night of fun specially geared to tweens. By the light of the moon (jellies), children
ages 10 to13 take on the Aquarium after dark at the Glow in the Shark sleepover, Saturday, August 23. This kids-only overnight features marine science dis-
covery in a safe and supervised environment. Qualified and trained staff lead all activities from a squid dissection to games. Before the kids tuck-in for the night they will learn
about bioluminescence and meet a number of Aquarium animals. Dinner, snacks and breakfast will be provided. The event runs from 6 p.m. See Sleepover, page 17B
Aquarium Collects Invasive Species Kure Beach, NC –Lionfish, with their distinctive stripes and venomous spines continue to proliferate the North Carolina coast. In recent weeks, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher staff collected more than four dozen of the invasive species during routine dives locally. “The species negative impact on local waters is well known,” said Aquarium Curator Hap Fatzinger. “Lionfish were
everywhere at our dive locations. We responsibly removed quantities of animals and are now working to distribute them to other Aquariums to help educate the public.” Fatzinger explained Lionfish (Pterois volitan) are native to the Indo-Pacific region, but are now common in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The species sport venomous spines harmful to humans, See Lionfish, page 15B
(Pictured Above): Lionfish collected off the Wilmington coast at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher’s Summer Camp Registration Open Explore, play, laugh, learn—children enrolled in summer camp at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher will do all this and more. Campers, ages 5 to 14, experience outdoor adventure, eco-education and make new friends. Trained marine educators lead the activities and introduce campers to live animals in a safe and fun atmosphere. Aquarium Camp runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday throughout the summer. Session details are below. Limited transportation to and from summer camp is offered, with pick-up points at a Monkey Junction and Ft. Fisher Ferry locations (This
service requires an additional fee and registration). For more information and to register visit ncaquariums.com/fortfisher. Weird, Wonderful Wildlife: Have you ever wondered how frogs survive the winter, or why some fish can glow in the dark? Sometimes animals are wonderfully weird! Campers learn the strange adaptations animals make to live in their environments. Exploration trips inside and outside of the aquarium turn an animal encounter from an "eww" to an "aww" moment. Dates: June 30-July 3, July 7-11 See SUMMER, page 17B