"Shark Days" at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on February 20 and 21

By Jenny Slafkosky

Monterey, CA - Explore the ocean’s most mysterious and misunderstood species with experts who care for them during “Shark Days” at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on February 20 and 21. The fun-filled weekend will feature shark and bat ray feedings, fascinating shark stories from aquarium experts, and special programs and activities. Meet the aquarium’s resident sharks – including scalloped hammerhead, sevengill, Galapagos and leopard sharks – along with their relatives, pelagic stingrays, bat rays and electric rays.

The weekend celebration includes a special presentation and book signing by Jim Toomey, comic artist and creator of “Sherman’s Lagoon.” Kids can download a special iron-on “Shark Days” t-shirt design, created by Toomey on the aquarium’s website (http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/vi/vi_events/vi_events_shark_days.aspx); kids wearing shirts with this design will receive a special prize during “Shark Days” at the event information booth.

Presentations during “Shark Days” will dispel fear-filled myths that surround the magnificent species and explain the grave threats facing sharks around the world.

“Shark Days” programs and activities include (a full schedule will be available at the event):

Special presentation and book signing by “Sherman’s Lagoon” creator Jim Toomey on both days.
“Tagging Predators,” a short video program on shark research efforts in the Pacific Ocean, on both days in the auditorium.
“Chief of the Reef” theatrical performance in the Discovery Labs on Sunday.
Bat ray feedings at the Bat Ray Touch Pool on both days.
Talk with a shark aquarist: Hear stories about what it’s like to meet a shark face-to-face; see the special gear our aquarists need to dive with sharks and learn about shark research in the wild, on both days.
Get creative with shark crafts on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. in the family craft room.
The first 500 people who visit the event information booth on both days receive a 2010 "Sherman's Lagoon" shark calendar.

For more information about the aquarium visit www.montereybayaquarium.org.

To view Monterey Bay Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-560-Monterey_Bay_Aquarium