A soaring new citizen for the world's biggest aquarium

[nanchil]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/08/25/manta.ray/index.html

 

[P-DUBS]

sickkkkkk

 

[georgelc86]

The fact that they have whale sharks is just awesome alone.

 

[Lenny718]

Very cool Ray, Thanks for sharing

 

[Bob 1000]

I need one for my new 120 zero edge style build...lol

 

[inkblue]

am againSt tHem keeping FOUR whaLe sharKs in tHat pLace i saw tHem and aLL they do is swim in circLes.

sad to keep magnificent giants in suCh a small space!

hypocriticaL of them to post up craP aBout conservation !!

 

[jhale]

I have to agree with Ink.

 

[prattreef]

I've got to disagree. Your argument can and is made about all animals kept in zoos and aquariums and yes our own pets too. The counter argument--- and I happen to agree --is that the benefits in terms of education and research outweigh the obviously less than ideal situation for the animals. The old adage "we protect what we know" is apt here and I believe this to be true.

There is also no hypocrisy in their conservationist claims. How do you know what and how to conserve with out learning about the animals? And how do you think these conservation efforts are funded??? In good part by drawing in admission paying customers to the aquarium with spectacular displays. It might not be ideal for the individual, but IMO the benefits out weigh this unfortunate fact.

 

[lunner]

Very kewl.

Now I have a reason to go to Atlanta, Georgia.

 

[meschaefer]

I've got to disagree. Your argument can and is made about all animals kept in zoos and aquariums and yes our own pets too. The counter argument--- and I happen to agree --is that the benefits in terms of education and research outweigh the obviously less than ideal situation for the animals. The old adage "we protect what we know" is apt here and I believe this to be true.

There is also no hypocrisy in their conservationist claims. How do you know what and how to conserve with out learning about the animals? And how do you think these conservation efforts are funded??? In good part by drawing in admission paying customers to the aquarium with spectacular displays. It might not be ideal for the individual, but IMO the benefits out weigh this unfortunate fact.

Ditto

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I've got to disagree. Your argument can and is made about all animals kept in zoos and aquariums and yes our own pets too. The counter argument--- and I happen to agree --is that the benefits in terms of education and research outweigh the obviously less than ideal situation for the animals. The old adage "we protect what we know" is apt here and I believe this to be true.

There is also no hypocrisy in their conservationist claims. How do you know what and how to conserve with out learning about the animals? And how do you think these conservation efforts are funded??? In good part by drawing in admission paying customers to the aquarium with spectacular displays. It might not be ideal for the individual, but IMO the benefits out weigh this unfortunate fact.

I agree some what but mostly disagree.

We can still study and learn about them in the wild even though it could cost higher and may take longer to follow the subject. In fact, animals in captivity may not react the same as in the wild including many hormonal excretions. Thus more accurate data should still be studied at where they feel home.

 

[ellebelle]

I agree some what but mostly disagree.

We can still study and learn about them in the wild even though it could cost higher and may take longer to follow the subject. In fact, animals in captivity may not react the same as in the wild including many hormonal excretions. Thus more accurate data should still be studied at where they feel home.

There is a limit to what can be done in the wild, though. There are limits on the human capacity to find and follow the research subjects. Then, there is little ability to control external factors that may affect your experiments. While valuable data can and should be collected on wild individuals, equally valuable data can be collected on individuals housed in zoos and aquaria. To do one or the other is just seeing half the picture, IME.

 

[Wes]

I've got to disagree. Your argument can and is made about all animals kept in zoos and aquariums and yes our own pets too. The counter argument--- and I happen to agree --is that the benefits in terms of education and research outweigh the obviously less than ideal situation for the animals. The old adage "we protect what we know" is apt here and I believe this to be true.

There is also no hypocrisy in their conservationist claims. How do you know what and how to conserve with out learning about the animals? And how do you think these conservation efforts are funded??? In good part by drawing in admission paying customers to the aquarium with spectacular displays. It might not be ideal for the individual, but IMO the benefits out weigh this unfortunate fact.

I would agree IF they could manage to keep them alive. A few whale sharks have died in that tank already. I don't think they have figured out why they died yet. That being said, i can't wait to go back and see them again. I guess that means I am torn on the subject.

 

[georgelc86]

I see it this way. Its bitter sweet to see such animals in a zoo because we will never see them and if we never see them we cannot gain an appreciation for them. Sometimes people need to see things in person to gain an appreciation for them. On the other hand capitivity sucks, but you know what, I am greatful that its a staff of educated professionals housing these animals than some smuck who knows nothing and is housing them in his backyard just because its kewl.

 

[prattreef]

I would agree IF they could manage to keep them alive. A few whale sharks have died in that tank already. I don't think they have figured out why they died yet. That being said, i can't wait to go back and see them again. I guess that means I am torn on the subject.

That is true Wes, and very sad and unfortunate, but (I've been to a lecture about the whole whale shark in captivity thing) the scientists have learned a tremendous amount in this short time, things that would be impossible to know otherwise. One thing I think is not widely known is that the captive Whale Sharks are actually RESCUED individuals that were saved from the LEGAL annual slaughter in Taiwan (and possibly Japan--I can't recall). These animals were doomed for far more senseless reasons AND the public and international pressure put on the Taiwanese Gov't largely in response to up close (ie in captivity) exposure to these creatures has resulted in a 1/2ing of the legal amount of harvest (from 60-30) and a total ban on harvesting in the near future.

Sounds like real, responsible Conservation work to me.

http://www.coxwashington.com/news/c...es/2007/05/23/BC_SHARK_ENVIRONMENT22_COX.html

 

[Chapz]

I bet the workers grab onto its wings and ride the manta ray around the aquarium. Must be cool.

 

[Alex]

prattreef is correct, at last years macna it was said that these particular animals were bought as a deal set with the thailand gov't where these animals were scheduled to be slaughtered. they were part of 10 animals that they are allowed to "harvest" annually for the fishing industry for food, medicine etc..

so in actuality these animals were rescued, sad that they must live in an enclosed space but the reality would have been worse.

 

[JLAudio]

MR should setup a group trip to this aquarium. That would be a sick little trip

 

[sil3ncio]

I saw one in the wild, while I was in Cancun... Very cool animal

 

[masterswimmer]

MR should setup a group trip to this aquarium. That would be a sick little trip

It's already done. MACNA 2008 (next week btw) is being held in Atlanta. The Saturday night dinner and presentation is being held directly in front of the whale shark exhibit.

I'll be there :biggrin: with a lot of other MR members. Feel free to sign up!!

swimmer