After being closed for more than a year during the pandemic, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is set to reopen to the public May 15, and some animals appear happier about it than others, officials say. They’ve “really, really engaged when they see people now in the building,” said Cynthia Vernon, the aquarium’s chief operating officer. The aquarium closed in March 2020 as the pandemic began to grip California, and it had a catastrophic financial effect on the facility, the main draw on touristy Cannery Row. The aquarium lost about $55 million in revenue last year and cut about 250 workers — or 40% of its staff. AdvertisementIt costs about $1 million weekly to operate the facility, including caring for the animals, officials said.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 06, 2021 16:58 UTC