Mermaids at Blue Zoo in Baton Rouge train in diving, swimming to make magic for kids
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – What’s it like to be a real-life mermaid? One at Blue Zoo in Baton Rouge said it’s peaceful under the water.
Blue Zoo is an aquarium inside the Mall of Louisiana. Attractions include water tables, sharks and a pirate ship. You can also touch and feed stingrays, birds and reptiles.
Another fun attraction is the mermaids. Caroline Landreneau, also known as Rose the Mermaid, has been at Blue Zoo since April 2021.
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“It’s an absolute dream. The sharks are such fun tank mates, and I love visiting other exhibits. Bringing a smile to guests’ faces is the highlight of my day,” she said.
Landreneau said she is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors certified mermaid and freediver. It involves intense training, such as taking a single breath and then diving to a depth of 30 feet or swimming over 160. She said in-depth recuses are also required to get certified.
She can hold her breath under water for more than two minutes.
“But I’ll spend anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and 15 seconds at a time underwater during shows,” she said.
Her mermaid’s tail will always match her outfit.
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“I change my scale color quite often. You can see me in red, green, blue, purple or pink at the aquarium! Finfolk Productions have the best scale designs around,” Landreneau said.
She also loves letting kids believe in the impossible, “even if it’s only for a little while.”
Mermaid shows are at 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
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