The Seals of Narragansett Bay bring February Fun to Newport
Save The Bay educators use “Sealia,” the life-sized harbor seal model, to teach students about harbor seal adaptations and anatomy.
NEWPORT, R.I. ??? February 5, 2018 ??? Narragansett Bay???s favorite (and official) marine mammal is most active in February, and with the Newport Winter Festival later this month, Save The Bay is celebrating ???Sensational Seals??? with a host of seal-themed activities. Save The Bay???s Exploration Center and Aquarium will feature crafts, stories and a scavenger hunt highlighting the harbor seals??? unique features and adaptation. Seal Watch Tours will run out of Newport on weekends throughout the month and daily during Winter Festival. The Exploration Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday and all week during Newport???s Winterfest, February 16-25.
?? ?? ?????This month at our aquarium, anatomy lessons using our life-sized model Sealia, crafts and scavenger hunts will focus on how amazing the seals of Rhode Island are,??? said Adam Kovarsky, aquarium and education specialist at Save The Bay. In February, visitors to the Exploration Center will make their own seal mask and hear the interactive story, ???Andre, the Famous Harbor Seal,??? by Fran Hodgkins. During a scavenger hunt, participants will search the aquarium for materials to ???help Sealia complete her puzzle??? and create a seal-oriented scene.??
?? ?? ??After learning about seals at the Exploration Center, guests can take one of Save The Bay???s Seal Tours to see Narragansett Bay???s winter visitors in their natural habitat. One-hour tours will offer a view of the marine mammals swimming, “bottling” in the water and resting on Citing Rock. Two-hour tours add a stop at Rose Island and a guided tour of Rose Island Lighthouse. More information can be found at www.savebay.org/seals
?? ?? ??Extra dates of the Exploration Center???s ???Feeding Frenzy??? have been added for the week of the Newport Winter Festival. From 5-6 p.m. on February 15, 20, and 22, visitors can participate in an interactive learning experience helping the staff feed the marine life that inhabit the aquarium. Space is limited and tickets can be purchased at http://www.savebay.org/feedingfrenzy.
?? ?? ??The Exploration Center and Aquarium is located in the Easton???s Beach Rotunda at 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport, R.I. General admission is $8, and $7 for military and senior citizens. Save The Bay Family Members enjoy FREE admission for two adults and up to four children. For more information about the Exploration Center and Aquarium, visit www.savebay.org/aquarium or call 401-324-6020.