Brady Barr, Host From National Geographic To Lecture At Virginia Aquarium

By Joan M. Barns

Virginia Beach, VA - Reptile expert Brady Barr, host of several National Geographic shows, will be the featured guest of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s Speaking of Science Series, Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in the 3D IMAX® Theater. Admission to the series is free.

Barr’s life's work has been to study and protect some of the world's most dangerous animals - crocodilians and venomous snakes. Since the Virginia Aquarium’s soon-to-be- opened Restless Planet exhibit will feature tomistomas, pit vipers and Egyptian cobras, Barr is an ideal speaker for the series. Guests will hear highlights from his research and adventures from 50 countries.

Barr has hosted over 70 wildlife documentaries, more than anyone in the history of National Geographic. His programs include Reptile Wild, Croc Chronicles, and the ongoing series Dangerous Encounter on the National Geographic Channel. True to the series, Barr survived an attack by a 12 foot reticulated python while working in waist deep bat guano inside a dark cave in Indonesia. Barr also recently became the first person ever to capture and study all 23 species of crocodilians in the wild, a historic achievement documented in his National Geographic program, Dangerous Encounters.  

By increasing knowledge and understanding of these powerful creatures, Barr hopes to save both crocodiles and human lives. As such he is currently a member of the Endangered Species Coalition of the Council of State Governments and the International Crocodilian Specialist Group.

For more information about the free event, call Virginia Aquarium Guest Services at (757) 385-0300 or visit VirginiaAquarium.com. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. The doors to the IMAX Theater will open at 6 p.m. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. The Aquarium is located at 717 General Booth Boulevard, just south of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach.