Get Close and Conserve Nature This Summer with Shedd Aquarium

CHICAGO – Within the urban landscape of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium serves as a vital portal to the aquatic world. Guests come face-to-face with unique animals like a fluffy sea otter, see penguins waddle and hop, discover the bumpy texture of a sturgeon and more.

Shedd Aquarium strives to bring people closer to nature by encouraging curiosity through engaging events, programs and offerings to inspire all ages to play a part in protecting our blue planet. This summer, Shedd offers up-close encounters with wildlife – both at the aquarium and beyond – that contribute to conserving animals, habitats and ecosystems.

REACH OUT TO TOUCH AND FEED STINGRAYS

Returning for its 11th annual season, Stingray Touch is a hands-on summer experience to remember. At this outdoor exhibit, opening May 10, guests can reach out and feel the smooth backs of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) swimming by, allowing guests to connect deeper with the gentle bottom feeders. Additionally, participants can learn interesting facts about the animals with refreshed signage – now available in both English and Spanish as part of Shedd’s ongoing Experience Evolution, which gives guests a glimpse at what’s to come with the aquarium’s renovation project.

As an add-on experience, guests can also feed a seafood treat to the stingrays and feel the animals suck in their food from between guests’ fingers. Feeding is available first come, first served when Stingray Touch is open until the stingrays receive their daily diet and allotment. Children who choose to participate in a feeding must be older than 6.

Visiting this seasonal exhibit, included with general admission, guests support Shedd’s mission to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. Through caring for cownose rays and other animals, Shedd Aquarium gains an understanding of the species’ needs and behaviors and how to better protect these animals in their natural habitats.

Cownose rays are social creatures that naturally school together to protect themselves from predators such as sharks. The species is known for marathon mass migrations in schools of as many as 10,000 rays. When waters cool in autumn, the rays will migrate from as far north as New England to the southern Caribbean, including Venezuela and Brazil.

PADDLE WITH A PURPOSE ON THE RIVER

Shedd’s Kayak for Conservation tours takes participants on an engaging exploration down the Chicago River. Led by a Shedd nature expert, paddle through the city and discover how human behavior affects river ecology, learn about innovative projects to improve the health of the river, and how participants can be advocates for this invaluable natural resource. There’s also the possibility of encountering local wildlife like soft-shell turtles, common snapping turtles, great blue herons, hawks, monarch butterflies and more.

Participation in the program supports Shedd’s work in local habitats and beyond. Kayak for Conservation was developed in partnership with environmental not-for-profit Urban Rivers, the force behind the “Wild Mile Chicago” project. This project creates floating eco-parks along the Chicago River that mimic natural habitats to support native species of plants, insects, fish, birds and more. The greenspaces also create a healthier environment for people as the plants filter river water and regulate mineral cycles.

Kayak for Conservation tours are offered for beginners to advanced kayakers and participants help track changes in biodiversity by documenting wildlife and may enjoy other activities. Private group tours are also available. Registration is pay-what-you-can between $20-$100 per participant, with Shedd recommending $50 per participant as the base cost of the program. The program runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and available tour dates are posted on Shedd’s website.

VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos and broadcast quality video here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8e6f64866065727ab298

Photo/Video Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium