Ocean Explorium, Zoological Society to Study Potential Merger

The Ocean Explorium and Buttonwood Park Zoological Society could eventually merge. The two organizations announced yesterday that they would launch a study into whether its feasible to bring the Explorium's programs into the zoo's operations. The Explorium, on Union Street, offers a number of marine science exhibits such as a touch tank and live shark feedings, but has struggled with financial setbacks in recent years. In 2013, UMass Dartmouth halted its $300,000 subsidy to the Explorium, which amounted to about 30 percent of the science center's budget.