Belle Isle Aquarium

Last updated
Belle Isle Aquarium
Belle Isle Aquarium exterior.jpg
Belle Isle Aquarium in 2005.
Belle Isle Aquarium
42°20′11.79″N82°59′7.27″W / 42.3366083°N 82.9853528°W / 42.3366083; -82.9853528
Date openedAugust 18, 1904; [1]
August 18, 2012 (reopened)
Location3 Inselruhe Avenue
Belle Isle Park
Detroit, Michigan
Floor space10,000 sq ft (930 m2)
No. of animals1500 (2005) [2]
No. of species146 (2005) [2]
Total volume of tanks32,000 US gal (120,000 L; 27,000 imp gal) [3]
Annual visitors113,000 (1995), 56,000 (2004) [4]
Website belleisleconservancy.org
Belle Isle Aquarium Belle Isle Aquarium

The Belle Isle Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan. Designed by noted architects George D. Mason and Albert Kahn, [5] it opened on August 18, 1904, and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium in North America when it closed on April 3, 2005. [2] The aquarium reopened to the public on August 18, 2012, and is now run entirely by Belle Isle Conservancy, a 501(c)3 non-profit partner to Belle Isle park. [6] The 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) historic building features a single large gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tile to evoke an underwater feeling. [1] [7]

Contents

The aquarium was operated by the Detroit Zoological Society prior to the 2005 closure. It is currently operated by the Belle Isle Conservancy.

History

Postcard c.1940s Aquarium at Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Michigan (72686).jpg
Postcard c.1940s

The Belle Isle Aquarium opened on 18 August 1904. According to the address given at the opening ceremony, when it opened it was the third largest aquarium in the world. When it opened it held a total of 65,007 US gallons (246,080 L) of water. [8]

The aquarium basement served as a speakeasy during Prohibition and later held large fish which no longer fit the Belle Isle Zoo's gallery tanks. Closed circuit television allowed remote viewing of these fish. The aquarium was slightly remodeled in the 1950s.

Attendance was on a declining trend in the final decade of its first run: 113,000 visitors toured the aquarium in 1995, but only 56,000 in 2004. [4]

On 14 January 2005, the city of Detroit announced that the aquarium would be closed to save $530,000 annually, with the staff being reassigned to the Detroit Zoo or the Belle Isle Zoo, and the fish transferred to other aquariums. [3] It was originally scheduled to close on March 1. [9] Although an extension was granted to the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium to come up with a fund raising plan, [10] the aquarium was closed on April 3, 2005. [4]

On August 3, 2005, Detroit citizens voted to reopen the aquarium by an overwhelming margin (88% in favor, 12% opposed). [11] However, the vote was non-binding and the aquarium remained closed. In 2010, supporters of the aquarium were still trying to find donors to help defray the building's operating costs. [11]

Although the building was closed between 2005 and 2012, goldfish and koi from an outside pond were housed in the aquarium during the winter. [11] Each year in February, the aquarium opened for a day for the annual "Shiver on the River," [11] a fund raising event to promote public support of Belle Isle non-profit groups including the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium. [2]

On 14 August 2012, The Belle Isle Conservancy, a non-profit volunteer group established in 2011 from the merger of the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium and other Belle Isle non-profit groups, announced the re-opening of the aquarium on a limited basis. The aquarium was reopened on 18 August 2012, the 108th anniversary of its opening. [12] The Aquarium now operates with free public admission, welcoming visitors Friday-Sunday from 10am - 4pm, thanks to community funding and the efforts of Belle Isle Conservancy.

Animals

Interior of the aquarium, with its single green-tile curved ceiling gallery Belle Isle Aquarium interior.jpg
Interior of the aquarium, with its single green-tile curved ceiling gallery
Two rays at the Belle Isle Aquarium Belle Isle Rays.jpg
Two rays at the Belle Isle Aquarium

In 2005, the aquarium had 60 exhibits with a total tank volume of 32,000 U.S. gallons (120,000 L; 27,000 imp gal), [3] and was home to over 1,500 fish of 146 species. [2] The aquarium largely featured freshwater species native to the Great Lakes region, but also had salt-water species from around the world. Currently the aquarium over 200 species of aquatic animals.

The aquarium made news in 2002 when one of its female white-spotted bamboo sharks gave birth to two young despite not having been near a male in six years, in a suspected rare case of parthenogenesis. [13]

Conservation

There are several species at the Aquarium that are critically endangered or extinct in the wild. The Belle Isle Aquarium offers various education programs focused on water and environmental conservation that serve both students and educators from the elementary to university levels. The Aquarium has a formal partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to assist with repopulating sturgeon in the Detroit River. Additionally, Aquarium staff administers frog and mudpuppy studies on the island which help indicate the health of its ecosystems. The Keep Belle Isle Beautiful anti-litter initiative also launches from the Aquarium.


Related Research Articles

London Zoo, previously known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens and sometimes called Regent's Park Zoo, is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. In 1831 or 1832, the animals of the Tower of London menagerie were transferred to the zoo's collection. It was opened to the public in 1847. As of December 2022, it houses a collection of 14,926 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shedd Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago. Opened on May 30, 1930, the 5 million US gal aquarium holds about 32,000 animals and is the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, after the Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium</span> Zoo and aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, US

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In August 2014, TripAdvisor rated it the "world's best zoo", ahead of the San Diego Zoo and Loro Parque, based on an algorithmic assimilation of millions of reviews for 275 major zoos worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Zoo</span> Zoo in Oakland County, Michigan, United States

The Detroit Zoo is a zoo located in the cities of Huntington Woods and Royal Oak in the U.S. state of Michigan. Spanning 125 acres (50.6 ha), it houses more than 2,000 animals and more than 200 different species. The zoo was the first U.S. zoo to feature bar-less habitats, and is regarded to be an international leader in animal welfare, conservation and sustainability by the Detroit Zoological Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queens Zoo</span> Zoo in Queens, New York

The Queens Zoo is an 18-acre (7.3 ha) zoo located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. The zoo is part of an integrated system of four zoos and one aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Aquarium (Denver)</span> Aquarium in Colorado, U.S.

Downtown Aquarium is a public aquarium and restaurant located in Denver, Colorado, at the intersection of I-25 and 23rd Ave. The 107,000 square feet (9,900 m2) main building sits on a 17-acre (6.9 ha) site adjacent to the South Platte River. Its freshwater and marine aquaria total approximately 1,000,000 US gallons (3,785,000 L), and exhibit a variety of fish and other animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audubon Aquarium</span> Aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Audubon Aquarium is an aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. After a $41 million dollar renovation that would see the Audubon Insectarium merge with the facility, the aquarium reopened with new exhibits and experiences on June 8, 2023. The Audubon Nature Institute runs the aquarium, and the institute also supervises the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species (ACRES), Coastal Wildlife Network, Audubon Wilderness Park, and Audubon Park. The aquarium is located along the banks of the Mississippi River by the edge of the historic French Quarter off Canal Street, at the upper end of Woldenberg Park and originally opened on September 1, 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitespotted bamboo shark</span> Species of shark

The whitespotted bamboo shark is a species of carpet shark with an adult size that approaches one metre in length. This small, mostly nocturnal species is harmless to humans. The whitespotted bamboo shark is occasionally kept as a pet in larger home aquaria. It can grow up to 93 centimetres (37 in) long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buenos Aires Eco-Park</span> Zoo in Buenos Aires

The Buenos Aires Eco Park is an 18-hectare (44-acre) park in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The former zoo, opened in 1888, contained 89 species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, with a total of over 2,500 animals. The institution's goals are to conserve species, produce research and to educate the public. In June 2016 the city formed a bias about the zoo's cruelty. They had to close the 140-year-old zoo and relocate most of the animals to nature reserves, including Temaikèn. The zoo property will be converted into an ecopark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public aquarium</span> Aquatic counterpart of a zoo

A public aquarium (pl. aquaria) or public water zoo is the aquatic counterpart of a zoo, which houses living aquatic animal and plant specimens for public viewing. Most public aquariums feature tanks larger than those kept by home aquarists, as well as smaller tanks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnetic Hill Zoo</span> Zoo in Moncton, New Brunswick

The Magnetic Hill Zoo is a 16-hectare (40-acre) zoo located adjacent to Magnetic Hill and the Magic Mountain in the Magnetic Hill Area of Moncton, New Brunswick. The zoo has over 400 animals, making it the largest zoo in Atlantic Canada. In 2008, the zoo was rated fourth on a list of Canada's top ten zoos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens</span> Zoo and botanical garden near Orlando, Florida, United States

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 116-acre (47 ha) zoo and botanical garden located north of Orlando, Florida in Sanford. As a not-for-profit organization, it is a leader in conservation, providing experiences that inspire actions on behalf of wildlife. The Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belle Isle Park</span> River island and public park in Michigan, United States

Belle Isle Park, known simply as Belle Isle, is a 982-acre island park in Detroit, Michigan, developed in the late 19th century. It consists of Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit River, as well as several surrounding islets. The U.S.-Canada border is in the channel south of Belle Isle.

The Clifton Fish Aquarium was an aquarium located in Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan, near to Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine. It was in operation from 1965 to 1998. It was Karachi's largest public aquarium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexandria Zoological Park</span> Zoo in Alexandria, Louisiana

The Alexandria Zoological Park is a 33-acre (13 ha) zoo located in Alexandria, Louisiana, United States. First opened to the public in 1926, it is owned by the City of Alexandria and operated by the Division of Public Works. It is home to about 500 animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adventure Aquarium</span> Aquarium in New Jersey, U.S.

The Adventure Aquarium, formerly the Thomas H. Kean New Jersey State Aquarium, is a for-profit educational entertainment attraction operated in Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River Camden Waterfront by Herschend Family Entertainment. Originally opened in 1992, it re-opened in its current form on May 25, 2005 featuring about 8,000 animals living in varied forms of semi-aquatic, freshwater, and marine habitats. The facility has a total tank volume of over 2 million US gallons (7,600,000 L), and public floor space of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belle Isle Conservatory</span> Greenhouse and botanical garden in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a greenhouse and a botanical garden located on Belle Isle, a 982-acre (397-hectare) island park located on the Detroit River within Detroit, Michigan. While located near the Canada–United States border, the island is entirely within the U.S. The park itself consists of 13 acres of preserved land for the conservatory and its botanical garden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belle Isle Conservancy</span> U.S. non-profit organization in Detroit

The Belle Isle Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to restore, preserve, protect and enhance Detroit's Belle Isle.

References

  1. 1 2 "History". belleisleaquarium.com. Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Belle Isle Aquarium". detroitarmy.com. Detroit Army. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "City To Close 100-Year-Old Belle Isle Aquarium". clickondetroit.com. Click On Detroit. 14 January 2005. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 "It's Official! City Says Belle Isle Aquarium Will Close". clickondetroit.com. Click On Detroit. 4 March 2005. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  5. ↑ Burton, Clarence Monroe (1922). The City of Detroit, 1701 -1922, Volume 1. p. 416. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  6. ↑ "Belle Isle Aquarium To Reopen On August 18 In Celebration Of Her 108th Birthday" (PDF). belleisleconservancy.org. Belle Isle Conservancy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Palmer Woods Resolution". belleisleaquarium.com. Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "One of Best in the World". Detroit Free Press . 19 August 1904. Retrieved 14 January 2016– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Supporters Fight To Keep Belle Isle Aquarium Afloat". clickondetroit.com. Click On Detroit. 21 February 2005. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "Belle Isle Aquarium Keeps Doors Open, For Now". clickondetroit.com. Click On Detroit. 23 February 2005. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium". belleisleaquarium.com. Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  12. ↑ Satyanarayana, Megha (September 16, 2012). "A landmark reborn: Belle Isle Aquarium reopens to thousands". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Mayell, Hillary (September 26, 2002). "Shark Gives "Virgin Birth" in Detroit". nationalgeographic.com. National Geographic News. Archived from the original on September 29, 2002. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.