California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium / California Academy of Sciences news

Excellent, thanks for the reply.

 

The California Academy of Sciences is a 410,000-square-foot aquarium and natural history museum located in San Francisco, California. Species include southern grasshopper mouse, African penguin, Gouldian finch, violaceous euphonia, Yellow-rumped cacique, American alligator, Everglades rat snake, Centralian carpet python, Burmese vine snake, Arrau turtle, spiny turtle, Mexican bearded lizard, Sambava tomato frog, Lake Oku clawed frog, Luristan newt, swell shark, honeycomb stingray, and California sea cucumber, among other species.

On January 14th, the facility announced they have opened a new playspace to the public called Wander Woods.

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On January 18th, it was reported that the facility has announced the Larry E. Serpa Western North America Aquatic Invertebrate Collection, which makes them the largest scientific collection of north American aquatic invertebrates in the world. They are now exhibited in the Academy's Department of Entomology.

California Academy of Sciences receives largest private collection of Western aquatic invertebrates

On January 26th, it was reported that the aquarium's (0.1) Australian lungfish named Methuselah is believed to be ~90 years old, making her the oldest of her kind in care.

90-year-old Australian lungfish in San Francisco believed to be oldest living aquarium fish | KTLA

On February 4th, the facility announced they have acquired a (0.1) orchid mantis which is now on exhibit on the 2nd floor of the rainforest.

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On June 1st, it was reported that the facility opened a new permanent exhibit, called Hidden Wonders. It showcases around 800 items from the collection with everything from a saber-toothed cat named Kitty to rows of beetles.

California Academy of Sciences exhibit showcases rare gems from vast collection

On June 20th, it was reported that a new exhibit opened to the public named Bugs. The theme is exploring bugs through larger-than-life models through the eyes of the Māori indigenous people of New Zealand.

Welcome to the world of 'Bugs,' a fantastical new exhibit at Cal Academy

On June 30th, it was reported that the aquarium received $42,291 from the AZA and the Fish & Wildlife Service for Endangered Species Care.

Also on June 30th, it was reported that the facility will receive $2.1 million from the state to fund its Thriving California Environmental Learning Plan.

More Than $9 Million Awarded for Endangered Species Care During Pandemic | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Senator Wiener Secures $19.8 Million in Funding for New Community Center, Improvements to Produce Market and Street Safety, Upgrades for Local Museums, and More

On July 21st, the facility announced they had done a "coral swap" with the Birch Aquarium in California.

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On November 14th, the facility announced that (0.0.2) African penguins hatched.

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There is a new temporary exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences. Called The World's Largest Dinosaurs, it will run from May 26th to January 21, 2024.

The facility's website has more information on this link:

The World's Largest Dinosaurs

Here's a news article:

The World’s Largest Dinosaurs, an exciting exhibition about super-sized Sauropods, opens May 26 at The California Academy Of Sciences - YubaNet

 

Other 2023 News:

On January 4th and January 20th, the museum announced the genders (0.2) and names of the penguins, Ozzie and Pogo.

California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences

On March 15th, the museum announced that (2.0) African penguins hatched.

California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences

 

On November 18th, the museum reopened the Osher Rainforest Dome after 3 months of maintenance and renovations.

California Academy of Sciences
Cal Academy Rainforest Dome Reopens After Long Closure

 

On February 8th, 2024, the museum announced that (3.4.1) African penguins hatched in 14 months between November 2022 and January 2024 and were named Ignatz/Iggie, Lazola, Nelson, Alice, Fyn, Oswald Cobblepot/Ozzie, and Pogo. A further (0.0.2) African penguins hatched in November 2022 and January 2024 respectively but have since passed away.

California Academy of Sciences
There's a Penguin Baby Boom at the California Academy of Sciences with a Record 10 Chicks in 14 Months

 

I visited the California Academy of Sciences on March 25th, 2024, and my only previous visit was back in 2011. I was with my wife and 4 kids and so I didn't make a detailed list of species and instead of a full review I'll simply post a few observations.

Overall, my impression was a largely positive one as this facility is superb. We watched the new Planetarium show, called Spark: The Universe in Us, spent some time looking at penguins in the African Hall, ventured up to the 2.5-acre Living Roof, enjoyed the two gift shops, wandered through Color of Life in the East Hall, and marveled at some of the artifacts in the Collections Gallery.

The true highlight is the Rainforest dome, with its winding pathway that goes up several stories and then visitors take an elevator to the very bottom, aquatic section. One major flaw is that the dome inexplicably opens at 10:00 and a full half an hour after the rest of the building, and since it is by far the most popular attraction, that means a lot of standing around waiting for it to open. It was the same case back in 2011, which seems ridiculous. Why not prepare to have it open at 9:30 with everything else? During my visit, the dome actually opened 20 minutes late, at 10:20, due to an escaped beetle! One would have thought it was a King Cobra the way a couple of employees were running around inside with big nets. (I'm fairly certain it was an Atlas Beetle) Later in the day, it was an hour-long wait just to set foot inside the dome and so it's vital to go there first thing in the morning.

We spent 5 hours at this facility and I would highly recommend a visit for all zoo nerds. There's an Alligator Swamp with a single white gator, along with a trio of Alligator Snapping Turtles, and a ton of tanks in the Steinhart Aquarium. We gazed at 'Methuselah', an 86 year-old Australian Lungfish that is the oldest captive fish on the planet. There's also a number of lizards and snakes, along with a staggering total of fish and jewel-box tanks. The new "Venom: Fangs, Stingers and Spines" gallery has a lot of creatures that can cause harm to humans, the Amazon Tunnel is superb, Twilight Zone is a darkened area, and the 25-foot deep, 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef exhibit is world-class.

 

Obviously each institution is different, but for the National Aquarium, their Rainforest exhibit also opens 30 min after the building. The reasoning? There is so much horticultural maintenance needed to maintain the rainforest that staff need that extra time devoid of visitors to do their work. While keepers can often work in the presence of guests - either on or off exhibit - the horticulturists at the Aquarium at least, don't have that luxury. The inconvenience of the late opening for guests seems worth it to avoid staff having to start even earlier considering there are other exhibits to explore. Perhaps that's the same rationale at Cal Academy? I too had to wait during my visit mid afternoon last summer...

Regardless, the Osher Rainforest I wholeheartedly agree is a true gem! Very few places mix butterflies and passerines over an open flooded forest exhibit and it truly creates a magical experience!

 

Interesting that there was such a long wait, although I shouldn't be surprised. Back in February last year, it was almost a walk-in, but I was visiting on a weekday during the off-season.

I'm glad you and your family had a nice visit, CAS is truly one of my favorite zoological institutions. So many really cool species, all inhabiting such smartly done enclosures.