Aquariums of the Future

It’s pretty exciting seeing animals up close, but at what cost? Just last week, two beluga whales living in captivity died at the Vancouver Aquarium. With the invention of augmented and virtual reality, “we’re enjoying a golden age in nature-based film and media” according to this National Observer article. Why not bring this exciting 21st century technology to zoos, aquariums, and museums to offer immersive and interactive experiences of animals without causing them harm? Or even integrate these educational tools into other venues to help increase understanding of the natural world around us. Everyday BC Ferries travels throughout the coastal regions of British Columbia over some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. While they have an existing coastal naturalist program that helps passengers “discover the world beneath the waves”, why not bring orcas, porpoises, and sea lions on board via augmented reality? 

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