One of North Carolina's more remarkable attributes is the quality and quantity of state aquariums. There are three along the coast; the latest one to be remodeled is the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, which will re-open after a $25 million expansion (to three times its previous size) this Friday.
The highlight of the new aquarium is a 306,000-gallon ocean tank -- complete with a replica of a German WWII U-boat -- with an array of sealife surrounding it, including tiger sharks.
The theme of the aquarium is North Carolina "from the mountains to the sea." Along with ocean exhibits, a Smoky Mountain Trout Pond (with rainbow, brook and brown trout) is on hand, as well as fish and animals from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. There's also a river otter display, featuring otters Pungo and Neuse.
Aquarist Meredith Owens told the Jacksonville Daily News that the two otters have adjusted to the new environment well, and she’s looking forward to teaching the public more about the animals.
“By making people more aware they are out there we can protect their habitat,” she said.
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