The Aquarium of Niagara is a non-profit public aquarium in Niagara Falls, New York, USA that focuses on aquatic education and conservation. It opened on June 12, 1965, after being privately owned and founded by a group of chemists and other scientists. The ownership was transferred to a non-profit foundation, the Sea Research Foundation, in September 1977, and then to the Niagara Aquarium Foundation on February 18, 1994. The aquarium houses rescued seals and sea lions, Humboldt penguins, sharks, jellyfish, and more than 128 species of mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles. The Aquarium of Niagara is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Niagara Aquarium Foundation is led by a board of trustees. The board of trustees appoints an executive director, who is directly responsible for the aquarium’s administration and operation. Gary K. Siddall is the current executive director of the Aquarium of Niagara, having been hired in June 2016.
Major Exhibits
The Aquarium of Niagara is home to over 128 species of animals, including:
- California sea lions
- Harbor seals
- Gray seals
- Humboldt penguins
- Jellyfish
- Freshwater and marine fish and invertebrates
Programming
Experiences included with regular admission include sea lions shows, seal presentations, penguin feedings and educational talks with Aquarium team members. Experiences available for an additional cost include:
- Seal encounters
- Penguin encounters
- Trainer for a day program
- Birthday parties
- Sleepover programs
- Summer camps
The Aquarium of Niagara also provides field trips, outreach programs, home school classes, and scout badge workshops, all of which are consistent with the aquarium’s core values and mission statement, which promote aquatic life education and conservation.