The Two Oceans Aquarium is working on a new predator exhibit.
The expansion project includes a new building to be constructed in the parking area between the Aquarium and the One & Only Hotel.
Dr Pat Garratt, the Aquarium’s Managing Director said, “This is indeed a dream come true for us. I am very excited because not only do we get a state-of-the-art new predator exhibit, but we’re also able to change our current predator exhibit into a dedicated large shark display. Given that sharks are one of our strongest draw cards, it will be fantastic to show our visitors different species of these impressive and majestic animals.”
The new predator exhibit will contain 1.5 million litres of seawater and will be six metres in depth. Set to open by the end of 2014, the new exhibit will include a single acrylic panel measuring nine metres long and four metres wide and a 10 metre complete full tunnel. Species on display will include spotted eagle rays, honeycomb rays, smooth hound and spotted gully sharks as well as Yoshi the loggerhead turtle and Cannelloni the green turtle.
Curator, Michael Farquhar says, “I am absolutely delighted that our plans have come to fruition and that we will be able to separate the fish, rays and turtles from the large sharks. The water temperature in the new exhibit will be maintained at a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius, which will allow us to include some sub-tropical species as well as species from the southern Cape coast. This means that we can showcase a greater diversity of species from the waters off southern Africa.
“I am particularly excited about the possibility of displaying skipjack and longfin tuna. In the early days of the Aquarium we displayed these fast-swimming fish, but the ragged-tooth sharks ate them! This time they will be safe as the raggies will be in a different display.”
It is hoped that the new predator exhibit will be the first phase of a project which will potentially include an enlarged children’s play centre and an extended river meander exhibit.
