Explore The Aquarium — Exhibits & Galleries

Cold Water Quest

From Oregon to Japan, from South Australia to South Africa, cold ocean waters teem with fish and marine mammals. Beneath the waves curious animals such as Australian weedy sea dragons, garibaldi damselfish and Japanese spider crabs hang among rocky ledges and kelp forests.

Two juvenile beluga whales, Grayson and Qinu, join adult beluga whales, Maris and Beethoven, in the Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest gallery. The two whales, which were born at SeaWorld San Antonio, are smaller than Maris and Beethoven. Qinu (pronounced Kee-nu), a two-year-old female, and Grayson, a three-year-old male, are light gray in color, a trait seen in this species before they mature into adults.

The African penguin exhibit features more than 25 nesting areas integrated into naturalistic rockwork and comes equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting system that mimics the natural light cycle from twilight to moonlight. Acrylic tunnels and pop-up windows, built into the exhibit, allow guests to come face-to-face with their feathered favorites.

The gallery's Southern sea otter exhibit has doubled in size and has been modified to include additional deck space for trainer-animal interactions. New to the exhibit, a sneak peek window has been added, giving guests a look into the behind-the-scenes area for the sea otters.

GEORGIA AQUARIUM WELCOMES FIRST AFRICAN PENGUIN CHICKS
The world’s largest aquarium is thrilled to announce the birth of two African penguin chicks. The young sea birds hatched within two weeks of each other in early January and have been hand-reared behind-the-scenes by Aquarium animal training and veterinary staff members since hatching. African penguins are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. To learn more about the chicks and their progress, follow the Georgia Aquarium Blog.

Watch this video from Georgia-Pacific about how the Cold Water Quest exhibit provides a safe, indoor ecosystem for endangered African penguins. Georgia Aquarium's Scott Higley and Erin Morlang discuss the unique features of the newly renovated habitat such as a lighting system that mimics sunrise and sunset, handmade huts and special areas for visitors to get a face-to-beak view of the species.

GEORGIA AQUARIUM ANNOUNCES BELUGA WHALE PREGNANCY
Georgia Aquarium announced in November that one of its two adult beluga whales is pregnant. Seventeen-year-old Maris is expected to give birth to her first calf in late spring 2012. Although first-time pregnancies in cetaceans are often unsuccessful in both their natural habitat and in human care, any animal pregnancy is an opportunity for study and the advancement of marine knowledge, and Aquarium officials are guardedly optimistic for a successful birth. Georgia Aquarium is committed to providing the best health care for Maris throughout the pregnancy and afterwards, as it is for all animals in its care.

Beluga whale experts estimate that the gestation period for belugas is approximately 475 days. A first-time pregnancy for the beluga, Maris’ health and well-being are being closely monitored, as is that of the three other beluga whales which reside within the Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest gallery. Chances for a successful birth increase with every beluga whale pregnancy, however, and by carefully monitoring Maris’ health during this period while providing her with the best possible care; Georgia Aquarium will contribute to this growing body of research.

Maris has lived at the world’s largest aquarium since it opened in 2005. She is on breeding loan from the New York Aquarium, where she was born.

“Georgia Aquarium’s animal training and veterinary teams provide world-class care and dedicate their lives to these extraordinary animals,” Georgia Aquarium Senior Vice President and Chief Veterinary Officer Gregory Bossart said. "With only 35 beluga whales in human care in the U.S., it is important that we play a leadership role in helping the zoo and aquarium community maintain a sustainable population of beluga whales to support our mission of aquatic animal conservation and research.”

As one of six U.S. aquariums and zoos that care for beluga whales, Georgia Aquarium is dedicated to saving the species through conservation and research programs in their native habitats, focused research on the animals in our care, participation in cooperative management and breeding programs, as well as educational initiatives which inspire others to care about these animals.

Aquarium officials plan to share updates on Maris’ pregnancy with the public on its website and social media channels. You can also follow the Georgia Aquarium Blog for updates.

Visiting Georgia Aquarium?
Don't miss this gallery when you visit the Georgia Aquarium. Touchpools with sea anemones, curious creatures and new exhibits are just some of the things you can look forward to!

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