Humpback Whale to Visit South Jersey

A humpback whale arrives at the Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, Friday, Aug. 27, for a day-long vacation from its Hawaiian home. The life-size, inflatable whale is part of a virtual whale watch that includes a video whale watching tour of Hawaii and discovery centers featuring whale bones and other artifacts. This is the second time this summer the whale has visited the Institute.

More than 8000 children have met the whale as it tours America. Children (and grown-ups, too) can walk inside the whale to see details of its anatomy and the baleen plates that help it feed. For many kids, it will remind them of a scene from "Finding Nemo," where Marlin and Dory are swallowed by a whale and then narrowly escape from its mouth.

This virtual whale watch allows the students to simulate the experience of Hawaiian whale watching right from their seats. Using multi-media, kids can sail out of the harbor and into the open ocean. Along the way they see creatures that inhabit the sea, encounter dolphins, then spot behaviors of the great whales. A life-size whale's tail appears! Hear the songs of the humpback males. A naturalist on board explains what they are seeing and answers questions. As they return to the harbor, they get to sing a song or two accompanied by a ukulele.

The 90-minute whale watch begins at 11am and repeats at 1pm on Friday, Aug. 27. There is a fee of $5 for Wetlands Institute members and $7 for nonmembers. This fee includes general admission to all other Wetlands Institute exhibits for the day. For more information call (609) 368-1211.

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Author: Press Release--Wetlands Institute