It's San Pedro's own underwater wild kingdom, and now Mutual of Omaha insurance is giving Cabrillo Marine Aquarium $2,500 to help preserve it.

The money will be used to upgrade the aquarium's water-monitoring equipment, which will allow researchers and student volunteers to keep a better eye on life in the area's kelp forests and tide pools. Among other features, new monitoring kits will include tools to measure dissolved oxygen in water--a crucial indicator of the health of underwater ecosystems, aquarium education curator Steve Vogel said.

The aquarium is one of 10 wildlife conservation groups across the county that received a grant this year.

Company spokeswoman Jenny van Soelen said the aquarium was chosen because of its efforts to teach junior and senior high school students the importance of conserving local ocean habitats.

Marlin Perkins would've loved it.