Description of the attraction
The Murmansk Aquarium is currently the only aquarium complex in Europe that studies Arctic seals and solves the problems of education, environmental education and enlightenment of the population. An oceanarium was built and opened on Lake Semenovskoye on October 4, 1996. Here, the behavior and training of pinnipeds is studied, medical and biological research is carried out to ensure the maintenance and maintenance of the working capacity of Arctic seals in captivity, the physiological mechanisms of adaptation of marine mammals of different ages to the habitat in the mode of year-round monitoring are elucidated. The open-air cages on Lake Semyonovskoye allow simultaneous work with 10 seals. Also, the stationary oceanarium carries out research on the physiology and biology of the nervous activity of marine mammals in a controlled laboratory environment. A large amount of research is being carried out on the physiology of mammals, on visual acuity, sound perception, and color scales that they recognize.
The Oceanarium employees carry out a number of social programs aimed at helping the most vulnerable segments of the population: disabled children (diabetics, deaf, etc.), retirees. The Murmansk Aquarium holds seal therapy sessions for children with autism and other incurable diseases.
In the Murmansk Aquarium, almost everything is known about marine animals, which is why, in a short time, a method of treatment with the help of pinnipeds was developed. Sick children happily swim with good-natured creatures and at the same time gain a therapeutic effect. Leisure activities for pupils, students, children who have shown excellent results in biology and sports achievements are organized. The Oceanarium has a children's club called Kitenok, where the life of marine animals is studied, and friendly relations are maintained with the Sunday School at the Church of the Savior on the Waters.
At the moment, the Murmansk Oceanarium is not only an educational center that provides an opportunity for students of all ages to learn about the marine world of the Arctic and acquire knowledge about marine mammals, but also a playground for recreation and leisure of Murmansk residents, both young and old. Thousands of residents from Murmansk and the region, as well as guests of this region, experience great pleasure from attending the performances of the aquarium and from meeting with its inhabitants throughout the year.
Currently, seven artist seals live in the Murmansk Aquarium. They are from the order of pinnipeds (Pinnipedia). In general, 35 species of pinnipeds live in the world fauna, in our country there are no more than 15 species. Pinnipeds are large or medium-sized animals that are adapted to life in water. Food, they get only in water, reproduction occurs exclusively on land. There are 4 species of pinnipeds in the aquarium. These are rare gray seals - they are listed in the Red Book, seal, sea hare (bearded seal) and harp seal.
In the summertime, visitors have the opportunity to attend a seal show. This performance is always of great interest. Children are especially fond of seals, and the show is deliberately aimed at younger audiences. Seals delight by dancing to the music, rescue "drowning" people by throwing life buoys at them, swim under water for various objects, ride children in rubber boats on the water. In winter, seals live in the reserve, in the Olenyaya Bay, which is located near Snezhnogorsk.
