Mississippi Aquarium ramping up for summer season, 1 millionth guest

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – The Mississippi Aquarium is ready for the unofficial start of summer.

The aquarium folks stopped by WDAM 7 Friday to introduce us to a couple of its residents: Lapis, the blue-tongued skink; and Ashley, the box turtle.

The skink is a native of Australia and feels right at home with Mississippi’s warm, weather.

Of course, box turtles are native to the South, and can be familiar sights around homes and property.

The aquarium’s staff said they are ready to welcome visitors this summer and anticipate welcoming its one millionth visitor before the end of the year.

Staff members want people to know that there are a lot of opportunities to have safe animal encounters

“You can get up close and personal with not only the ambassador animals, but some other animals, like the dolphin encounter and the penguin encounter,” said staff member Nice Matz.

The MIssissippi8 Aquarium will be open for the long Memorial Day weekend.

Military members and veterans get in free.

Looking ahead: Come Father’s Day, all dads will be admitted free as well.

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