Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 23, 1996

Release #606-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972


MAYOR GIULIANI CELEBRATES THE 100th ANNIVERSARY
OF NEW YORK'S AQUARIUM FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

(Coney Island) Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today, joined by more than 100 New York City foster and adopted children, honored New York's Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation in Coney Island, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. The Mayor proclaimed Tuesday, December 10, 1996, as "Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation 100th Birthday" in the City of New York. The Aquarium was founded 100 years ago, on December 10, 1896.

"Today, we celebrate New York's Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation's centennial year," Mayor Giuliani said. "For 100 years, the Aquarium has provided New Yorkers the unique opportunity to examine and study the underwater world. If the founders of the Aquarium could see what has been accomplished in just one century -- the opening of a 90,000 gallon shark tank, the first successful birth of two beluga whales in captivity, the rehabilitation and release of a stranded pilot whale -- they would be astounded, but also very, very proud. For its tremendous contribution to wildlife preservation and to the education of New Yorkers, it is my pleasure to salute New York's Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation on its 100th birthday."

The Mayor and foster children were joined by Administration for Children's Services Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Louis Garibaldi, Executive Director and Vice President of New York's Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation. Today's event highlighted the fact that there are thousands of children in our City who are unable to live with their birth families due to abuse or neglect, or when their parents cannot care for them. The Mayor and Commissioner Scoppetta recognized the 28 foster care agencies which met their adoption goals for Fiscal Year '96, along with the ACS's Office of Direct Care Adoption and Direct Care Adoption. As part of today's celebration, the foster and adopted children sang "Happy Birthday" to the Aquarium.

New York's Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation opened on December 10, 1896 in Battery Park. In 1903, the Aquarium was adopted into the care of the New York Zoological Society, now known as the Wildlife Conservation Society. The Aquarium moved to its current location in Coney Island in 1957. The Aquarium now houses over 10,000 specimens, including the only California sea otters outside of California, and the only aquarium-born beluga whales to survive past their first birthday. The Aquarium remains the oldest continuously operating aquarium in the United States. In observance of today's event, the Aquarium is today officially unveiling a new dome for its oceanic tank, which will protect the dolphins during the winter.

The Wildlife Conservation Society has been on the front lines of international wildlife and habitat conservation since its founding in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society. Today, the Society manages 226 field conservation projects in 46 countries. Through its celebrated conservation facilities in the United States - the Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park, the Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation; and the Central Park, Queens, and Prospect Park Wildlife Centers - the Society is able to provide the public the opportunity to enjoy wildlife heritage as well as learn about and participate in the survival of wildlife and natural habitats.



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