Description of the attraction
The Vancouver Aquarium (officially called the Vancouver Marine Science Center) is located in Stanley Park and is one of the most popular and interesting attractions in Vancouver. The Vancouver Aquarium is also one of the world's largest centers for marine research, conservation and rehabilitation of marine life.
The Vancouver Public Aquarium Association was founded in 1951 by professors from the University of British Columbia - Murray Newman, Karl Litze and Wilbert Clemens. With financial support from renowned Canadian philanthropists McMillan and George Cunningham, the Canadian federal government and the City of Vancouver and British Columbia, the Vancouver Aquarium opened its doors to visitors in June 1956, becoming Canada's first public aquarium.
Over its more than half-century history, the Vancouver Aquarium has been radically transformed, keeping up with the times. It also significantly expanded its boundaries - from a small center with an area of only 830 m2, it turned into a huge ultra-modern complex covering 9000 m2 with a variety of galleries (including outdoor pools), designed taking into account all the characteristics of their inhabitants in order to provide them with the maximum comfortable, close to the natural environment.
Today, the Vancouve Aquarium is home to nearly 300 species of fish, about 30,000 invertebrates, 56 species of amphibians and reptiles, and approximately 60 species of mammals and birds - these are Pacific dolphins, sea otters and pigs, seals, beluga whales, blacktip reef sharks, northern fur seals, African penguins, octopuses, starfish and hedgehogs, turtles, snakes, frogs and many other living creatures.
There is a 4D theater in the Vancouver Aquarium, an excellent playground, as well as specially equipped classrooms and laboratories where entertaining classes are held for school-age children.
