By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 11, 2012

(Editor’s Note: Want more? Check out our video of the grand opening of Sea Life at http://youtu.be/KlGGuw7_J4s. We captured some of our favorite exhibits).

“Look! It’s a sharkie!” one girl squealed in excitement.

In this see-through tunnel, sharks, stingrays and schools of fish swam overhead, mesmerizing attendees.

As area residents toured the Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium April 6, it was clear the grand opening didn’t disappoint.

“It feels amazing to finally be open to the public,” Rosemary Waters, general manager of the Sea Life and Lego Land facilities, told Northeast News. “It’s been six months in the making.”

Waters commended the City of Kansas City for embracing the new aquarium, which displays sea creatures from Missouri and across the globe. Sea Life features interactive exhibits and more than 30 display tanks with more than 5,000 sea creatures.

As part of the grand opening, Sea Life also selected 12 “young environmentalists” aged six to 12 earlier this year to help “spread the message of conservation.” The young environmentalists were on hand before the grand opening to share their views and what they learned.

Twelve-year-old environmentalist Madison Nobrega said she learned about the sea creatures brought to Sea Life and what they eat, as well as which ones are endangered.

“We’ve been learning about the animals and why we should take care of our reefs in the ocean,” said Olivia Perry, 11-year-old environmentalist.

Perry’s favorite Sea Life exhibit features an octopus, which the young environmentalists named “Oscar.”

“It was amazing,” Perry said of the new aquarium. “It was really cool.”

For more information, visit www.visitsealife.com/Kansas-city.

Ryan Gerding, public relations for Sea Life, leads a
wave with the “young environmentalists.” Earlier this
year, Sea Life searched for 12 young environmentalists
from across the Kansas City metro area to help “spread
the message of conservation.”