BROOKLYN, N.Y. - It's not every day you get to see a Giant Pacific Octopus up close, without having to swim with it of course. It's part of a brand new exhibit at the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium in Coney Island called “Spineless.” It’s all about those creatures like jellyfish that we learned about in science class called invertebrates.

What You Need To Know

  • The New York Aquarium will welcome visitors back starting with members August 24, then the general public August 27

  • The aquarium in Coney Island shut its doors to the public on March 14 due to Coronavirus restrictions

  • The reopening will feature a new exhibit called "Spineless," focusing on invertebrates like Jellyfish, Cuttlefish and Sea Anemones

  • "Spineless" is in an aquarium building that is the first one destroyed by Superstorm Sandy to be rebuilt and reopen with an exhibit

“They are the sort of unsung heroes of the animal world,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium, who added that the majority of life on Earth are invertebrates, animals without backbones.

 

“Spineless” is inside one of the exhibit spaces at the aquarium that was wrecked by Superstorm Sandy almost eight years ago. It’s the first one to be rebuilt, and was due to open in the spring, but COVID-19 put a halt to that. 

More than five months after closing its doors to the public, the aquarium reopens August 24 for members and August 27 to the general public. Jon Forrest Dohlin thinks it will be great to welcome visitors again. 

"We inspire the public. We build public awareness and support for conservation, and we can't do that with our gates closed,” said Dohlin. 

Just like other cultural institutions and attractions reopening around the city, the New York Aquarium is focusing on the safety of its guests and staff, so there’s lots of social distancing and face coverings.

 

“Everybody coming to visit the New York Aquarium will be asked and required to wear a mask,” said Dohlin, who stressed that all ticket sales will be sold online and they'll be timed. “We are bringing people in in one-hour blocks and we are minimizing capacity and crowding in all of our indoor spaces,” said Dohlin. 

The aquarium will begin operating at 25 percent capacity. While guests haven't been here in a while, the staff has, making sure all of the creatures are safe and healthy. 

"Almost all of our staff are essential, we have to take care of the animals regardless,” said Dohlin, who added that staff also takes care of the systems that support the animals too, plus keep the place clean to keep everyone safe and healthy. So just like some of us mammals may be a little tired of seeing the same faces sometimes, these creatures are probably ready to welcome some new faces too.