Aquarium of the Pacific | 10th Anniversary | Aquarium Historical Timeline

Aquarium History

Aquarium Historical Timeline

1998

Aquarium opens to the public on June 20, 1998

1999

Sea Otter Summer celebration launches

2000

American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) accredits Aquarium of the Pacific
Special exhibit gallery opens with Jellies: Phantoms of the Deep

2001

Lorikeet Forest opens
Aquarium establishes Marine Conservation Research Institute (MCRI)
Coastal America designates the Aquarium as a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center

2002

Shark Lagoon opens
Aquarium receives AZA Award for the first facility to successfully breed weedy sea dragons
Aquarium launches first cultural festival celebrating the diversity of our local communities
Aquarium launches guest speaker series

2003

Aquarium celebrates Pacific Island Summer
Aquarium wins the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Award for Public Education in Water Quality
Association of Fundraising Professionals honors the Aquarium as Outstanding Volunteer Organization

2004

Weird, Wild, and Wonderful exhibit opens
Premiere of Whales: Voices in the Sea, which wins silver medal as best new interactive science exhibit in the U.S. by the American Association of Museums
One millionth student visits the Aquarium

2005

Whales: A Journey with Giants multi-media show opens
Rios de la Vida: Our Watershed Story mural and exhibits debut on Aquarium front plaza

2006

Aquarium mourns the passing of Founding President and CEO Warren Iliff
Aquarium launches Dazzling & Dangerous exhibit and programming
Animal care team does successful pioneering surgical procedure on sawfish
10 millionth guest visits the Aquarium

2007

Shorebird Sanctuary opens
Premiere of Catch a Wave exhibit and programming
Aquarium of the Pacific becomes the first among museums, zoos, and aquariums in the U.S. to join the Climate Action Registry.

2008

Aquarium reaches one millionth hour donated by volunteers
Enhanced Gulf of California exhibit, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, opens
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates 10th anniversary
Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific opens (Fall 2008)

Visitor Top Animal Favorites

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Aquarium Fun Facts

Our giant Pacific octopus’ favorite toy is a Mr. Potato Head, which is where we put her food. She systematically dismantles it, removing the eyes, ears, and all other parts, in her determination to reach the food inside. She will also remove the screw top lid from a glass jar to reach food inside.