Ontario Science Centre Brings Whales | Tohora to Toronto

New Zealand exhibition explores the dramatic undersea world of whales

TORONTO, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Two enormous, fully-articulated sperm whale skeletons, life-sized reproductions and a crawl-through model of a blue whale heart are among the highlights of the breathtaking new exhibition Whales | Tohora, opening to the public at the Ontario Science Centre Nov. 4, 2010.

The exhibition was opened with a unique spiritual ceremony at dawn, with Maori Elders blessing the exhibition as they passed it over to the care of Canadian First Nations representatives for its duration in Canada.

"The breadth and scale of this exhibition will leave a lasting impression on our visitors," said Lesley Lewis, Ontario Science Centre CEO. "From the long history of whaling in the South Pacific to the latest research in whale biology, everyone will take away new insights into these spectacular creatures." 

Objects in this 750 square metre exhibition include rare specimens from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa's whale collection, one of the largest in the world. In addition to the science and biology of whales, Whales | Tohora explores the cultural and historical significance of these creatures to the Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori) cultures of New Zealand and other Pacific island nations. Early whaling provided many trading opportunities between cultures in this region, illustrated in the exhibition by harpoons, scrimshaw (whale tooth carvings) and other taonga (treasures).

"We are pleased to give the Ontario Science Centre's visitors this opportunity to discover more about the world of whales," said Michelle Hippolite, Kaihautu Co-Leader, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. "Whales | Tohora's blend of science, storytelling and innovative interactivity proved hugely popular with both adults and children in New Zealand."

Interactive exhibits allow visitors to design their own virtual whale, touch real whale bones and listen to the sounds of various whale species. A realistic animation based on real sounds and movement data take visitors to the ocean depths with a sperm whale in search of giant squid. The exhibition examines threats facing whales, such as fishing nets, foreign debris, predators and boats. It also explains why whales strand themselves, and what can be done about it.

* Please note, certain Maori accents do not appear in this text due to formatting issues.

Hours and Ticket Information
Whales | Tohora is on display from Nov. 4, 2010 to Mar. 20, 2011, and free with admission to the Ontario Science Centre. Prices are: Adults $20, Youth/Students (with ID) and Seniors $16, Children (4-12) $13. Children three and under are free. The Ontario Science Centre is open 364 days a year, closed December 25^th. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca, at the box office, or by calling 416-696-1000. 

About the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), one of the largest national museums in the world, has attracted over 14.4 million visitors since it opened in 1998. Te Papa is recognised as a world leader in the new wave of innovative and interactive museum experiences and has an international reputation for excellence.

About the Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre uses science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world around them. Our facility has received Green Building certification for energy efficiency by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), and was named building of the year in the Public Assembly category. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca or call our box office at 416-696-1000.
Twitter: @ontsciencectr

Developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
This exhibition was made possible through the support of the New Zealand Government.

For further information:

Media contacts:

Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications
416-696-3273
Cell: 416-668-1967
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Christine Crosbie, Media Relations Officer
416-696-3191
Cell: 416-895-5482
[e-mail]

Ellen Flowers, Media Relations Officer    
416-696-3154
Cell: 416-771-2614
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