Programs include a live animal presentation or a laboratory encounter.
The 22-foot-long truck, sponsored by Kurtis Chevrolet of Morehead City, extends the reach of the Outreach programs. Prior to having the truck, Outreach was limited by the use of smaller Aquarium vehicles that lack animal life support systems and space.
"With rising fuel costs, fewer school groups are able to come to the Aquarium for a field trip,” said Aquarium Outreach Coordinator Laurie Streble. “This new truck meets our animal transport and storage needs, so we can travel farther away and stay for longer amounts of time."
A typical truckload is anything but typical. Streble’s packing list regularly includes a live sea turtle, alligator, fresh water turtles, several snakes, frogs and a variety of marine invertebrates, in addition to costumes, bones, shells, inflatable educational props, and a traveling touch tank. Karen and Jay Johnson sponsored the portable touch tank in honor of their grandchildren.
Since you can’t just buckle a seatbelt on a sea turtle, the new truck is specially designed to keep animal holding containers secure and to provide constant temperature and humidity control.
Outreach programs are available for a modest fee and are suitable for all ages. Custom programs can be designed to meet the needs of any group or class.
For details on Aquarium Outreach programs, call 252-247-4003.
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