The Maritime Aquarium opens new habitat featuring the only puffins in Connecticut

Ribbon cutting ceremony of the Seabird exhibit at the aquarium at Norwalk in norwalk connecticut — Photo via The Aquarium at Norwalk

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 11, to celebrate its newest exhibit, Seabirds Between Worlds. Local officials, community leaders, and project partners joined aquarium leadership for the event. The new attraction, which is home to the only puffins in Connecticut, officially opened to the public on Saturday, June 13.

Aquarium President and CEO Jason Patlis offered remarks alongside State Senator Bob Duff, Mayor Barbara Smyth, State Representatives Lucy Dathan and Dominique Johnson, and Board of Trustees Chair Clay Fowler. The speakers highlighted the aquarium’s connection to the Norwalk community, its role in conservation and education, and the partnerships supporting its mission.

The exhibit features Atlantic puffins and common murres, two species that inhabit areas where ocean and land intersect between North America and Europe. In the wild, Atlantic puffins nest along North Atlantic coasts including Maine, Eastern Canada, and Northern Europe. Common murres live along the North Atlantic and North Pacific coasts.

Puffins at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut — Puffin at Photo via The Aquarium at Norwalk

The new colony consists of six Atlantic puffins and six common murres. The puffins include three males from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and three females from SeaWorld San Diego. All six common murres came from SeaWorld San Diego.

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According to Assistant Curator Julie Mede Moussa, all of the birds have acclimated well to their new habitat. Moussa noted that while introducing birds to a new environment and to each other can be challenging, the colony is displaying positive natural behaviors as they settle into the space.

The 5,200-gallon saltwater habitat is designed with detailed rockwork and a deep-water environment to mirror rugged coastal landscapes. Visitors can observe the birds diving and swimming both above and below the water surface. An integrated soundscape also plays the recorded calls of a seabird colony throughout the space.

Common murres the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut — Common murres at the Aquarium at Norwalk

The exhibit explores how environmental changes and conservation efforts shape the future of both species. The display highlights how scientists study seabird behaviors, diets, and population trends to gather data on changing water temperatures, fish availability, and broader ecosystem shifts.

This addition builds on several recent facility investments at the aquarium. The venue opened a 160,000-gallon seal habitat called Pinniped Cove in 2021, added a 7,000-gallon Atlantic sturgeon touch tank in 2023, and debuted the bilingual Life Among the Grasses salt marsh exhibit in 2024.

Access to Seabirds Between Worlds is included with regular general admission to the facility. Visitors can find additional details and ticket information on the aquarium’s official website.

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The Maritime Aquarium opens new habitat featuring the only puffins in Connecticut