Animal welfare groups oppose whale sharks at IR
[top photo: File picture of a whale shark on Ningaloo Reef, Australia]
Seven local and international animal welfare groups have launched an online campaign. -AFP
Thu, Mar 12, 2009
AFP
SINGAPORE - Seven local and international animal welfare groups have launched an online campaign opposing plans by a Singapore casino developer to import whale sharks for its planned oceanarium.
The groups on Wednesday launched a website, www.whalesharkpetition.com, on calling on the public to "voice their opinions" on the plans to import the whale sharks, described as the largest living fish species.
Resorts World at Sentosa is building one of Singapore's two casinos which will feature a Marine Life Park set to become the world's biggest oceanarium upon completion.
The oceanarium will have 700,000 fish in 20 million gallons of water, Resorts World at Sentosa said on its website.
But the seven organisations, including the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, oppose having whale sharks in the facility.
The animals, which can grow up to 20 metres (66 feet), are listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the groups said.
"No man-made environment, no matter how large, could accommodate the needs of a whale shark," they said in a statement.
"Whale sharks can dive up to 980 metres (3,234 feet) and migrate over 13,000 kilometres (8,060 miles) and evidence has shown that they fare poorly in captivity."
They cited the case of two whale sharks which died within five months of each other in a "state-of-the-art" aquarium in the United States.
Resorts World at Sentosa defended plans to include whale sharks in the oceanarium, saying the threat the animals faced "makes the role of aquariums in their conservation all the more crucial".
The Marine Life Park's goal is to "help protect the species' wild population from disappearing" and it has worked closely with marine experts to give the animals "top-class care," it said.
Resorts World at Sentosa has said its casino project is on track for a phased opening from early 2010.
It will also feature hotels and a host of family-friendly attractions including the first Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia.
