You Can Save Israel's Unique Aquatic Habitats!

As Fall arrives in Jerusalem, we’re pleased to provide you all with another update:

Some boring but important progress:

• All life support system equipment has been delivered to the site and installation of these complicated and essential systems has begun.
• We are expecting delivery of the very large Mediterranean Sea exhibit tank window (a huge optical acrylic panel that will be lowered into place from above by a crane) in the coming two months.
• The Breeding and Quarantine area is showing significant progress with the installation of the first large fiberglass holding tank.
• The kitchen and lab facilities are almost complete.

The exciting stuff:

• Tank theming design implementation is continuing and enormous progress can be seen in both the Red Sea exhibit and the Four Seas of Israel Gallery.
• Work has begun on the design and content of educational signage in the facility.
• Our graphic design team has taken the first steps towards branding the facility in terms of a suitable name, logo, etc. – stay tuned for the big unveiling!
• A generous private donor has donated an iconic seahorse sculpture to the Aquarium entrance plaza – this colorful and distinctive piece will delight visitors for years to come.
• Most exciting of all, our first animals have been born in an Aquarium in the UK! They are awaiting transportation to Israel once suitable facilities are in place for us to receive them.

Please continue to spread the word about Israel’s first aquarium and an essential educational tool to raise awareness of the challenges facing our aquatic habitats.

Warm regards,

Team Aquarium at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

Links:

• Aquarium website

Hello Sea Israel Supporters! We’re back with a summer update:

Construction Update

• Construction has been advancing at a rapid pace with work now being done on the interior of the tanks.
• The largest of the tanks – the Mediterranean Sea deep water exhibit with underwater viewing tunnel is now taking shape after the completion of extra foundation reinforcement measures.
• The design team has begun planning the architectural finishes and interior design elements as well as educational signage design.

Wondering why the roof isn't on yet in many places? The large tank viewing windows still need to be installed - they will be lifted into the building by crane in one piece which means we have to leave the roof off until that's done!

 Education Update

• The new Window on the Mediterranean educational website continues to receive many visitors as we continue to update and supplement the information provided. The site provides a variety of educational content on the Mediterranean Sea for all ages including write-ups, videos, cartoons, and more. Click through on the link provided below to take a look and get started on learning more about the Mediterranean Sea and all of its extraordinary creatures!
• In addition, a comprehensive education plan for the Sea Israel Aquarium has been compiled by our expert team of educators and marine biologists together with plans for educational group visits of all ages.

Moving Forward

• We anticipate opening the facility in 2016. Some major challenges still lie ahead including the installation of the life support systems and system testing and we will report to you on progress in due course.

Please continue to spread the word about the Sea Israel Aquarium – Israel’s first aquarium and an essential educational tool to raise awareness of the challenges facing our aquatic habitats.

Warm regards,

Team Aquarium at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

Links:

• Window on the Mediterranean Educational Website
• Aerial View of the Construction Site