Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Lakes Aquarium – Finding your way around Ground floor The Rainforest
Africa
Virtual The Americas Dive Bell A re-created At the journey below Seashore Lake Windermere
Over Lake Tank
Asia
Mirror carp Continue this way
Stairs Lift Lift At the Sterlet Seashore Ballan wrasse Seahorse Ray
Stairs to Tufted duck ground floor
Exit
Stairs to 1st floor
Shop
The English Lake District Entrance The Rainforest First floor Goliath spider Red-eyed Pygmy tree frog marmoset
Africa
Piranha Virtual The Americas Dive Bell A re-created At the journey below Blind cave fish Seashore Lake Windermere
Over Pacu Lake Tank
Asia Continue this way
Stairs Lift Lift At the Asian short- Seashore clawed otter
Stairs to ground floor
Exit
Stairs to 1st floor
Shop
The English Lake District Entrance
Brown trout Roach Harvest mice Your guide to the Lakes Aquarium
Explore the lakes of the world and discover some incredible creatures – from otters in Asia, piranhas in the Americas and cheeky marmosets in the Rainforest.
Not forgetting all your favourite creatures that live a bit closer to home, including diving ducks in the spectacular underwater tunnel, as well as seahorses and rays at the seashore.
Remember to pay a visit to the world’s first Virtual Dive Bell. Experience a spectacular interactive adventure and come face to face with awesome virtual creatures including a terrifying shark, charging hippo and fierce crocodile – without getting wet!
2 Contents
1 Finding your way around – quick reference map 2-3 Your guide to the Lakes Aquarium 4-5 The English Lake District 6-7 Asia 8-9 The Americas 10-11 The Rainforest 12-13 Virtual Dive Bell 14-15 Under Lake Windermere 16-17 At the Seashore 18 Day in the life of an Aquarist 19 Your questions answered 20-21 Destination Lakeside 3 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide The English Lake District
The English Lake District is one of the British Isles’ most awe inspiring and breathtaking landscapes. Designated as a National Park in 1951, the Lake District is a relatively un-spoilt oasis for wildlife. The lakes and fells of the area, and a varied temperate climate, offer a lush environment for a range of fascinating and intriguing creatures.
Brown trout Roach Harvest mice
When brown trout are Not native to Windermere, The only rodent in the ready to spawn, they roach have been British Isles to have a migrate upstream, often introduced by pike anglers prehensile tail. leaping up waterfalls who once used them as and rapids. live bait. Life span: 18 months. Size: Smallest rodent in Key characteristic: Population: There are the British Isles – only Streamlined body, more roach than any weighing the same as adapted to fast flowing other species of fish in a 2 pence piece. water. Windermere. Diet: Small fish and Size: Up to 1.9kg. invertebrates. Oscar says: Bassenthwaite is the only official lake in the Lake District, the rest are ‘waters’ 4 or ‘meres’. Water voles Once a common sight, water voles in the Lake District are now facing extinction, largely due to loss of habitat and the accidental release of larger predators into the wild. What is ‘temperate’? What can you do to help? Help us to monitor the wild population Temperate describes geographical by taking part in the Cumbrian Water areas with weather that is neither Vole Project. For more details and further too hot, too cold, nor too wet or information on how you can help, see too dry. Temperate areas include www.watervole.org most of Europe, North America and Southern Australia.
5 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Asia
Asia spans nearly half the Northern hemisphere, with the world’s highest mountain range supplying water to the most urbanised river systems on Earth. Some of the world’s rarest creatures cling to what survives of these declining aquatic ecosystems.
At home in India and South East Asia is the Asian short-clawed otter. Curious and mischievous by nature, these otters live in a variety of diverse habitats from mangrove swamps to small streams and marsh land. As the smallest of the otter species, adults rarely exceed 90cm in length, from nose to tail.
• Otters are part of the mustalid family, which also includes weasels, ferrets and wolverines.
• Asian short-clawed otters are diurnal – meaning that they are active during the day, returning to the security of their holts at night. Asian short- clawed otter • With two layers of fur, otters stay both warm and dry. The lower layer of fur has the effect of insulation, whilst the outer layer has an oily coating which is essentially waterproof.
• They have very dexterous front paws which they use to forage for food in murky swaps or dense foliage.
Oscar says: An otter’s house is called a holt. 6 Otters in danger! There are 13 different species of otter in the world and several are listed as endangered, including the sea otter and the giant river otter. Otters native to England (the Eurasian otter) are under threat, having experienced a decline in population during the 20th Century.
What can you do to help? Various conservation groups have had success The Asian short- clawed otter in reintroducing orphan otters, building holts and improving water ways, however there is still much work to be done. More information is available from the Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk)
7 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide The Americas
The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere, consisting of the continents of North America and South America. The Americas are home to the awesome Amazon river which is the world’s largest river – engulfing approximately 40% of South America.
Piranha Blind cave fish Pacu
Piranhas are notoriously As eyes have no function Pacu have very human aggressive feeders, in deep, dark caves they like teeth, evolved for an however they only really develop extra taste buds omnivorous diet. become ferocious when on their heads making prey is scarce. them super sensitive to Diet: Nuts, fruit and their environment. occasional fish and Diet: Small fish, fledgling invertebrates. birds and small mammals. Size: Approximately 5cm. Size: Up to 120cm. Location: Throughout the Location: Mexico. Amazon basin.
Oscar says: The Amazon is a very wet place – with nearly 3 metres of rain per year! 8 Mangroves Mangroves are found in equatorial America; including countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. Mangroves are now under serious threat from deforestation and pollution caused by excessive coastal development and the shrimp farming industry.
What can you do to help? Avoid buying pond-raised shrimp or prawns from supermarkets - these are often bred at fish farms created by the destruction of mangroves.
Mangroves
9 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide The Rainforest
Tropical rainforests are a rich and bountiful environment, home to an abundance of life – the total number of species remains unknown as scientists believe that there may be millions of new species yet to be discovered.
Goliath spider Red-eyed tree frog Pygmy marmoset
When fully grown, goliath Adept climbers, red-eyed Unlike some monkeys, spiders can measure up to tree frogs have suction pygmy marmosets’ tails 30cm across, making them cup toes that allow are not prehensile. the largest spiders in them to hang from the Weight: 130g (fully grown). the world! underside of leaves. Diet: Spiders, grasshoppers, Diet: Crickets, moths Diet: Moths, flies, fruit and tree sap. and mice. grasshoppers, and possibly Age: Female, up to 25 other small frogs. years, male up to 6 years. Location: Tropical central America.
Oscar says: Rainforests produce 40% of the Earth’s oxygen – that’s the stuff we breathe! 10 Deforestation It is believed that within the next 25 years, nearly half of the world’s species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened due to rainforest deforestation.
What can you do to help? Use forest friendly wood and paper products that are either recycled or use wood sourced from well managed forests, certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Deforestation
11 Source: www.rain-tree.com Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Virtual Dive Bell
Experience the world’s first Virtual Dive Bell and come face to face with awesome creatures including a terrifying bull shark, charging hippo and fierce Nile crocodile – without getting wet! State of the art technology and realistic CG graphics provide a unique and totally absorbing insight into life in murky waters.
Virtual Nile crocodile Virtual bull shark Virtual hippopotamus
Crocodiles have the Sharks get new teeth Hippos consume around strongest bite of any every two weeks and 68kg of grass per night! animal – up to 15 times can get through several Size: Up to 1.5 tonnes. more powerful than thousand in a lifetime. Location: Rivers and lakes a rottweiler. in sub-Saharan Africa. Size: Up to 3m. Location: Sub-Saharan Diet: Fish, dolphins and Africa, the Nile basin, and even other sharks. Madagascar. Diet: Fish, zebras, small hippos, porcupines, birds, other crocodiles and humans. Oscar says: Don’t miss the virtual journey – it’s really cool!
12 Hippos critically endangered The wild hippo population has been in decline for many years, but in 2006 they were added to the UCINs ‘Red List’. Many believe that this is due to poaching – hippos are being killed for their long, ivory like teeth.
What can you do to help? Many people buy animal-product gifts when holidaying abroad, usually by mistake – they don’t realise that they are the genuine article. Always make sure that you know the origin of the gifts you are buying.
Endangered hippos
13 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Under Lake Windermere
Windermere is Britain’s largest natural lake, a truly picturesque expanse of water flanked by both stunning fells and tranquil woodland. A comparatively rich environment, many fascinating creatures call Windermere home, from the smallest stickleback to the largest pike, there is a host of wildlife on our doorstep.
Mirror carp Sterlet Tufted duck
Unlike common carp, Sterlets are a type of A medium sized diving mirror carp have irregular sturgeon and females lay duck, the tufted duck can and patchy scales which up to 44,000 eggs at one hold its breath for up to 30 are almost unique to each time! seconds. individual fish. Life span: 22 years. Population: 7500 pairs in Size: Up to 29kg. Size: Up to 125cm. Britain (summer). Location: Throughout the Size: Wingspan of 70cm. British Isles and Europe.
Oscar says: There are 14 islands on Windermere, the biggest is Belle Isle, near Bowness. 14 Windermere char in decline Experts believe that Windermere’s water temperature has risen by 2°C in the last 70 years, causing a decline in the char population - who only live in very cold water.
What can you do to help? The ever rising water temperature is largely due to Global Warming. For more Char information on how you can play your part in combating climate change see www.greenpeace.org.uk
15 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide At the Seashore
The coast around the British Isles is as unique as it is varied, ever changing and stunningly beautiful. Morecambe Bay in Cumbria is no exception - designated as a Site of Specific Scientific Interest, its dramatic rolling sands are home to a vast population of seabirds and wildfowl.
Ballan wrasse Seahorse Ray
Wrasse are one of only a It is the male seahorse Thornback rays are the few species that are able that incubates and gives most common species of to change sex during birth to offspring ray in UK waters. their life. called fry. Eats: Crabs, shrimp Size: 65cm. Size: 5-30cm. and small fish. Location: The Eastern Location: Sheltered waters Size: Up to 100cm Atlantic, from Norway from the Thames Estuary in length. to Morocco and the to the coral reefs of the Mediterranean Sea. Pacific Ocean.
Oscar says: Morecambe Bay is the second largest bay in the British Isles. 16 Over-fishing Many species of once common fish such as cod, skate and plaice are now over fished. Cod stocks are on the verge of commercial collapse, and common skate is almost extinct.
What can you do to help? Buy fish that are ‘in season’ by avoiding their spawning months – see www.mcsuk.org (Marine Conservation Society) for details. Morecambe Bay Display Buy seafood from well-managed fisheries, that bare the Marine Stewardship Council label of approval – see www.msc.org for more information.
17 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide A day in the life of a Lakes Aquarium Aquarist
The term Aquarist is a combination of aquatic and biologist – it is their job to look after all of the creatures and their displays.
First thing Mid morning Lunchtime
Each display is checked to All displays are cleaned The pump and filtration make sure that the animals inside and out. Natural system is very complex are healthy. Tests are then sunlight causes the growth and it is vital to check the carried out on the water of algae, especially in the equipment every day. to ensure that it is the tunnel, so an Aquarist’s right temperature and that cleaning jobs are never salinity, nitrate and nitrite done! levels are correct.
Mid afternoon Late afternoon early evening Overnight
With a lot of hungry mouths As part of our programme The team take it in turns to feed, the Aquarists then of environmental to be on call over night. start preparing food for enrichment, the Aquarists All life support systems all the creatures: fish for regularly change the (pumps, filters, chillers and the piranhas, salad for the displays. Tasks could include air supply) are alarmed, marmosets and squid for adding new plants or so if there is an equipment marine fish. Vitamins and introducing new creatures – failure, the duty Aquarist supplements are added every day is different! will be alerted. to make sure that the nutritional needs of the animals are met.
18 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Your questions answered
Where does the water Where do the supply come from? creatures come from?
Our water supply is taken from Lake All of our creatures are sourced Windermere, it is then chilled or heated, responsibly: filtered through sand and passed • From accredited suppliers who have a through UV filtration, which kills harmful Marine Aquarium Council Certificate pathogens. The water then circulates to show that they use responsible around a complex system of pipes and and ethical methods for removing fish pumps to reach each display. Old water from the wild. is returned to Windermere, and thanks to • Donations from people whose pets our state of the art filtration system, it is have outgrown their domestic tanks. returned cleaner than it was when it was • From other aquariums looking to re- taken out! home captive bred creatures.
Do the glass windows Why can’t I put my magnify the fish? hand in the tanks?
Only the windows that curve outwards. Because fish don’t like to be touched. Windows that curve inwards (like the Their skin is easily damaged and cosmetic tunnel) actually make them appear 25% hand products can pollute the water. smaller than in real life!
19 Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Destination Lakeside
Picturesque Lakeside is not just home to Lakes Aquarium, there’s lots more to see and do. So make sure you stay a while and discover what Lakeside has to offer – from boats and trains to food and shopping, there’s something for everyone!
Oscar’s Restaurant The Quay Aquarium Giftshop
Situated on the upper A unique retail experience, Searching for the perfect floor of the station The Quay offers gifts and memento of your day at building, Oscar’s offers treats for all occasions. the Lakes Aquarium? Then both traditional and see what’s in store at the contemporary food Browse for the perfect Aquarium Giftshop. including mouthwatering present or pick up a daily specials, homemade postcard to send home, With specially selected cakes, delicious coffees and then grab a quick coffee themed gifts, you’ll find refreshing cold drinks. from the Café at the Quay. souvenirs to suit all ages, Open all year round, its tastes and pockets. idyllic quayside location is hard to beat.
20 Windermere Lake Cruises Explore the Lake District from Lakeside and take a leisurely cruise to the popular towns of Bowness or Ambleside. ‘Steamers’ and launches depart regularly throughout the day and provide travellers with magnificent views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the many wooded islands on Lake Windermere.
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Haverthwaite station Take a scenic trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway, to see more of the Leven Valley countryside. The beautifully preserved carriages and engines run along 3.5 breathtaking miles of track to Haverthwaite (Easter to October).
21 Useful information
How to find us Opening times Family friendly and We are situated on the southern Lakes Aquarium is open daily accessible to all shore of Lake Windermere at from 9am to 6pm (5pm in winter) Special rates are available Lakeside, Newby Bridge. From the and last admission is 1 hour for families, birthday parties M6, junction 36, take the A590 to before closing. Closed Christmas Newby Bridge - just follow the fish and pre-booked groups of 10 Day. Your ticket is valid all day. symbols to Lakeside. or more. Under 3’s go free. All displays are wheelchair accessible.
Talks & feeding presentations Talks and feeding presentations Love Lakes Aquarium? take place throughout the day – Why not buy an annual pass? see the boards by the front doors Valid for 12 months from for details. purchase, you can come as often as you wish. Contact us for more information.
Private hire Lakes Aquarium and Oscar’s Restaurant are available for Find out more private hire in the evenings Visit our website for more – a truly unique venue for information, including details on celebrations as well as corporate our action–packed schedule of entertainment. family events in school holidays. Try out our fantastic interactive Our dedicated function room, features; upload your Lakes The Lake Room, is available for Aquarium photos, tell us your hire throughout the day and views, or play games with Oscar evening. Please contact us for the Otter, our adorable mascot. details. www.lakesaquarium.co.uk
Get in touch Lakes Aquarium, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Cumbria LA12 8AS Tel: 015395 30153 Fax: 015395 30152 Lakes Aquarium is part of the Parques Reunidos Group. Email: [email protected]
All facilities and displays may be subject Design by Rehab. www.visitrehab.com to change without prior notice.