Sandy damaged RI aquarium, forces it to shut

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Superstorm Sandy has indefinitely shut Save The Bay's Exploration Center & Aquarium in the rotunda at Easton's Beach.

The Providence Journal reports that the building was damaged by a direct hit by the storm, but every animal was saved. Education director Bridget Prescott says many sea creatures that were rescued after the storm subsided were adopted by the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn.

Sharks in a new petting tank exhibit were released into the bay. Prescott says that's probably the safest for them.

Prescott says aquarium officials prepared for Sandy and likely power outages by placing battery-powered aerators in each tank to keep the water oxygenated.

The basement, where pumping and filtration systems are located, was flooded and the motors were burnt out.