The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Webcams offer peek inside aquarium’s Ocean Voyager
Penguins, beluga whales, otters can be seen in live footage.
New webcams at the Georgia Aquarium allow marine life enthusiasts to see live footage of beluga whales and African penguins and go inside the massive Ocean Voyager, home to thousands of sea animals including a green sea turtle.
The African penguin webcam and Asian small-clawed otter webcams are the two newest ones with the penguin webcam launching earlier this year for “Penguin Awareness Day,” and the Asian small-clawed otter webcam launching just this month.
Over 50 African penguins reside in the colony at the Georgia Aquarium. African penguins are social creatures that bond for life, and many of the penguins at the aquarium are bonded pairs. African penguins are also an endangered species, and many of the penguins at the Georgia Aquarium are part of a Species Survival Plan coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This plan helps to promote genetic diversity within populations of endangered species residing in zoological institutions by selective and
strategic breeding. A couple of tips for viewing: You can tap on the toggle button to the right hand side to change view; the video will stream for 30 minutes without interruption. After that, if you are leaving it open on your computer, you will need to press the refresh button to see another 30 minutes. All of the webcams, which also include one focusing on four beluga whales, can be found at www.georgiaaquarium.org/experience/explore/ connect/webcams and are available for viewing 8 a.m.11 p.m every day. Webcams for sea lions, and another one focusing on jellyfish, are planned additions during the coming weeks.
While viewers may tune in to the various exhibits, the Ocean Voyager webcam may be the biggest draw because viewers can see so much at once: thousands of animals inhabiting the 6.3 milliongallon Ocean Voyager. This exhibit includes four whale sharks, four manta rays and a green sea turtle.
Here are some good times to tune in daily: Tropical Diver IndoPacific Reef habitat: 10:30 a.m. dive shows; 3 p.m. feedings. Ocean Voyager: Noon and 12:30 p.m. you can see divers; 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. whale shark feedings. Asian small-clawed
otters: 11 a.m. training sessions.
African penguins: Feedings occur throughout the day.
If you decide to see these sea creatures in person, here’s some information about making the visit:
Where: The aquarium is across the street from the north end of Centennial Olympic Park at 225 Baker St. in Atlanta. Entrances to the aquarium’s parking decks can be found on Luckie Street and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard.
When to go: Although the aquarium is open 365 days, its hours vary from day to day. The hours adjust depending on the month and also on specific days. Generally, the facility opens around 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and remains open until 9 p.m. Some days it closes earlier, at 5 p.m. Double-check the aquarium’s hours online (www.georgiaaquarium.org) before you visit, or call 404581-4000.
Cost: General admission tickets cost $35.95 for adults (ages 13-64), $29.95 for children (ages 3-12) and $31.95 for seniors (65 plus). Prices are reduced by up to 30 percent after 4 p.m. Parking costs an additional $12, but there are reduced packages for purchasing aquarium tickets and parking ahead of time. There are several other discount packages and deals available for families and groups. How to get in free: Every Monday, the aquarium opens its doors for free to military personnel and veterans. Immediate family members also receive a 10 percent discount. The aquarium also offers free entrance to visitors on their birthdays.