Okinawa´s Aquarium
The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium located in Okinawa, Japan, is the world’s second largest aquarium behind the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
The main tank called the ‘Kuroshio Sea’ holds 7,500-cubic meters of water and features the world’s second largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters.
Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank.
Two whale sharks are featured as the main attraction of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and as of 2005, three whale sharks were being studied in captivity at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. One is kept and on display in the Taiwan, Kenting National Museum of Biology and Aquarium. Four whale sharks, are held in the Georgia Aquarium, in Atlanta. Two male whale sharks, died in captivity at the Georgia Aquarium on January 11, 2007 and June 13, 2007 respectively. The two females were added on June 3, 2006 in hopes that reproduction in whale sharks could be studied in captivity. All six whale sharks were imported from Taiwan. One whale shark is held in captivity in the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. As of October 2008, there is growing pressure to release the animal back to its natural environment.
The aquarium is one of very few that keep whale sharks in captivity, and is currently trying to breed them.
The Aquarium has a selection of activities ranging from a museum to a historic village. In addition to the Aquarium there are two different dolphin shows in which you can touch them and watch them perform in a show. There is also a manatee exhibit featuring manatees.
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