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Dubai Aquarium

 
 
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  #1
Dubai Aquarium
Old 28-08-2008
I have heard very relaible information that Dubai is now about to start constrution of the worlds biggest aquarium. Contracts have been awarded.

It will apparentley dwarf all previous aquariums!!

Would imagine it will be huge!

Does anyone have more information?

Now finally a reason to go to Dubai!
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  #2
Old 28-08-2008
You're a little late to the party! The aquarium at Dubai Mall was originally due to open late last year, but the opening date has been pushed back twice, firstly to 28 Aug (TODAY!) and now 30 Oct. The aquarium will be contained within one of the world's largest shopping malls with 1200 shops. Who needs 1200 shops?

The claims over the size of the aquarium have been scaled down slightly. Latest press blurb now says it will have one of the largest tanks in the world, measuring 51m x 20m x 11m, with the largest viewing window, at 32.8m wide and 8.3m high. By my calculations that would make it a 11,220,000 litre tank, and that is indeed bloody huge. But in terms of species, the aquarium is not that large - only 85 are planned. 30 sand tiger sharks were recently delivered.

You can find out most of this stuff from internet searches.
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  #3
Old 03-10-2008
Opening of Dubai mall threatened as sharks in display aquarium turn on each other with 40 killed so far | Mail Online
Quote:
Grand opening of Dubai mall threatened as sharks in display aquarium turn on each other with 40 killed so far

Shark fights in one of the world's biggest aquariums are threatening the opening celebrations of Dubai's flagship new mall.

Over ten per cent of the sharks in Dubai Aquarium's 10 million-litre tank have been killed in attacks that have marred the build-up to its grand opening on October 30.
Sand Tiger sharks have killed at least 40 smaller reef sharks and been aggressive towards divers working on final preparations in the giant tank.

The aquarium features the world's single largest school of sharks and the world's largest viewing platform. It is the centrepiece of the new 5.9 million sq ft Burj Dubai Mall.
Built to showcase one of the world's most diverse and exotic collections of marine animals, the aquarium is home to more than 33,000 living specimens.

A total of 85 species is represented, with over 400 sharks and rays considered the main attraction.

But the concentration of such a large number of sharks in a small space has led to what some might have considered predictable problems for the Dubai Mall's management.
General manager Yousuf Al Ali admitted the world's most feared ocean predator had caused teething problems.

"It is inevitable that aquatic species die - sometimes out of natural causes or out of injuries inflicted by bigger fish species," he said.

"Sand Tiger sharks, by nature, are fish-eating. However, all sharks and other animals in the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at The Dubai Mall are currently on a monitored feeding schedule in order to subdue their naturally opportunistic behaviour and appetite."
Divers carrying out tasks in the tank have also been attacked by the naturally aggressive sharks.

Several have had their equipment damaged and experienced minor injuries due to the behaviour of the sharks, according to UAE daily Khaleej Times.

Mr Ali said: "During the stages of setting up the aquarium, two cases of minor injuries were reported and were immediately attended to by the on-site medical team."

The aquarium features a 270-degree acrylic walk-through tunnel designed to give shoppers close encounters with some of the most diverse marine life on the planet.
Hopefully they will not be witnessing the world's greatest shark fight.
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  #4
Old 03-10-2008
Simple solution-Get rid of the sand tiger sharks.
Dubai solution-Keep adding more sharks because they'll never run out of money.
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  #5
Old 04-11-2008
Just in case you hadn't heard: the opening date has been pushed back yet again (to Tuesday 4th November) and Guinness World Records have confirmed that Dubai now have the world's largest acrylic viewing window.
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  #6
Old 04-11-2008
If these introductions in the shark tank are anything to go by we must have serious reservations towards aquarium management. I would like to know whose behind the multi-million dollars and responsible for aquarium management. Are their senior, curatorial and keeper staff from within the aquarium trade or have no prior qualified selections been followed?

On a separate note: shame that this large aquarium can go ahead where the zoo management and curatorial staff of cramped Dubai Zoo have been struggling for years at their old site and delivered first class animal husbandry and management, whereas they have seen promise upon promise evaporate that the new and 200+ ha zoo would be built (originally it was due to open in Mushrif Park in 2006). It has yet to become reality.

The Dubai Zoo episode is all the more peculiar as both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a good track record where wild animal management is concerned. These days the UAE has an inspection service and minimum vet standards for both zoos and private wild animal collections.

That things are seriously moving is exemplified by the efforts in Abu Dhabi to upgrade and modernise the Al Ain Zoo into a world class conservation breeding and education facility. Plans are already in the works to hand the city of Abu Dhabi itself a zoological and botanical garden too, thus immersing Emiratis in their rich natural and cultural heritage.
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  #7
Old 06-11-2008
Hey! It's on youtube!

YouTube - Dubai aquarium

YouTube - Dubai Mall Aquarium Opening
 

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