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Thursday 27 February 2014

Australian National Maritime Museum - Amazing Whales – Evolution and survival 20 March exhibit to open on 20 March


Amazing Whales – Evolution and survival

20 March – 20 July 2014 Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour

A new exhibition designed to immerse visitors in the world of whales and highlight the importance of conservation to their future survival will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 20 March.

Exhibited in conjunction with the Museum National D'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, Amazing Whales – Evolution and survival heralds the start of the Australian National Maritime Museum's Whale Season

Amazing Whales - Evolution and survival examines the relationship between humans and whales – from the mythology of whales and the bonds between them both to the consequences of whaling.

And while commercial whaling is now largely a thing of the past, the exhibition shines a light on the ongoing debate on the hunting of whales. It also examines the other human activities that continue to seriously threaten them including pollution, industrialization, commercial fishing, global warming and even noise pollution and what we can do to help.

An interactive touch table demonstrates how whales feature in Indigenous oral history and reveals the extent of the whaling industry in Australia. Visitors will also discover some of the more peculiar myths associated with whales including the belief that climbing inside the body of a beached whale would cure arthritis.

Visitors will come face to face with large replica skeletons and fossils dating back 50 million years to discover how whales developed from primitive hoofed land creatures to hydrodynamic waterborne mammals.

They will also discover many fascinating facts about the lives and biology of these awesome creatures through a combination of objects and interactive displays.

Amazing Whales – Evolution and survival runs until 20 July.

Tickets are part of the museum's Big Ticket - $27 adults, $16 child/concession, $70 family. For further information visit anmm.gov.au/amazingwhales.

Amazing Whales will be complemented by Beautiful whale – life-size photography by Bryant Austin - a remarkable photographic exhibition where visitors come face-to-face with giant underwater images of whales at sea. This exhibition opens on 11 April.

The Whale Season will also feature a display of quirky whale artifacts from the museum's collection, a full range of whale inspired public programs and school holiday activities and an aquatic inspired roof projection during the Vivid Sydney festival in May.

The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Darling Harbour, is open from 9.30am to 5pm daily.

All enquiries (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au.

 

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