Sky Open the Oceanarium at the Shedd Aquarium

It was 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 24 and a group of Sky athletes jumped into the Sky mini van and headed out to the Shedd Aquarium to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the re-furbished Oceanarium. The athletes were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the Oceanarium where they met Biff the sea lion and were able to watch the Beluga whales and Pacific White-Sided Dolphins cruising around their home. We learned many interesting facts – did you know that dolphins can sleep while swimming as they shut down half of their brain and close one eye and later on they shut down the alternate side so both sides of their brain get some rest?

Everyone was enthralled by the penguins, especially Chen Nan, and Candice was especially excited to find the new Polar Play Zone where she climbed up and slid down the slide just like a penguin. We were also able to touch live star fish and coral and watch the otters undertaking their morning feeding session where the trainers played games designed to make the otters more comfortable with human interaction which allows for some very important health monitoring.

The team finished the visit by cutting the ribbon on the front stairs outside of the Shedd, overlooking the beautiful Chicago skyline, and officially opening the new Oceanarium. The enthusiastic crowd gave the team a warm welcome before rushing inside to get their first look at the new Oceanarium.