A touch of Mexico…at Monterey Bay Aquarium!

What used to be a space dedicated to jellyfish is now home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s new exhibition “Viva Baja! Life on the Edge.”

“This is an area of the world that we really don’t represent anywhere else in our collection,” said Paul Clarkson, Monterey Bay Aquarium senior curator. “You can see just a rich diversity of colors, shapes and forms.”

The $3.8 million exhibit features more than 500 vibrant and diverse animals, along with interactive experiences and creatures from coastal Baja.

“They have snakes, there’s turtles,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium member Cynthia Hall. “Even little spiders, so that was cool.”

“And they made good space around the screens so it didn’t feel crowded,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium member Isla Hall. “Things were low enough for the little ones.”

Baja’s sun kissed animals and unique ecosystems aren’t the only reason the aquarium chose that part of the world, but because it’s also similar to the Monterey Bay.

“We find that the California current, this ribbon of water connects us there,” said Raula Nava, Monterey Bay Aquarium senior exhibit director and writer. “Many animals make an epic migration from very lush feeding grounds here in the frigid waters of northern California to the warm waters and coastal lagoons of Baja, CA, where these animals have their young.”

The exhibit also has elements dedicated to conservation efforts in Mexico.

“In “Viva Baja! we talk about ways people in Mexico are working together to protect Baja California’s unique deserts, unique mangroves and also the very delicate and fragile reefs of Cabo Pulmo,” said Nava.

For all those people who love sea horses, you’re in luck.

“Viva Baja! has those, too!

ORIGINAL STORY: Monterey Bay Aquarium unveils its newest exhibit Viva Baja! Life on the Edge on March 19th, just in time for Spring. On Friday, members got a sneak peak of the exhibit before it opens up to the public this weekend. The aquarium says it took six months to build and shows off more than 500 animals found in coastal Baja, Mexico, like the busy Bluespotted jawfish and the long, green moray eel. Parts of the exhibit are dedicated to conservation efforts in Baja. KION’s Maya Holmes was there and will take you on a tour on our news tonight at 9pm, following March Madness basketball.