DubaiAquarium & Discovery Centre will unveil the marvels of the ocean floor tothe people of Dubai with the opening of The Dubai Mall. Featuring the world’slargest viewing panel and pronounced a spectacular display of some of theworld’s most intriguing marine animals. The flagship development of Emaar MallsGroup, The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping, lifestyle andentertainment destinations featuring a host of world-class leisure attractions.
The Aquarium will feature the world’s largest viewingpanel with 270-degree walk through tunnel; one of the world’s largest indoorAquariums
· TheDiscovery Centre offers interactive, educational centre
· Morethan 33,000 aquatic animals; representing 85 marine species
· Featuresthe single largest collection of sharks; over 400 sharks and rays combined
· Freeviewing; Dubai Aquarium a significant value-add for mall visitors
DubaiAquarium & Discovery Centre is one of the eagerly anticipated opening dayattractions and is expected to draw in residents, tourists and marineenthusiasts from around the world.
Withthe main tank measuring 50m long x 17m wide x 11m high, and the world’s largestviewing panel measuring 32.8m long x 8.3m high, Dubai Aquarium & DiscoveryCentre will be a spectacular showcase of over 33,000 marine animals,representing over 85 different species. Shark and ray-watching will quicklybecome a favourite leisure pursuit as Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centrefeature the world’s single largest school of sharks including 45 sand tigersharks, 45 grey reef sharks and up to 30 spotted eagle rays. In total, therewill be over 400 sharks and rays to provide for an adrenaline-fueled visualexperience.
Alsotoday in Dubai was the official opening of The Palm Atlantis, described as a magnificent,oceanic tribute to a mythological age. In spite of the recent fire to a rooftop shortly before opening, thefamous resort has opened its doors today as planned. The Palm Atlantis sports the muchcontroversial Dolphin Bay, which is a four-and-a-half hectare lush tropicalsetting modelled on their natural habitat , described as “home for thedolphins at Atlantis” The dolphins werebought in the Solomon Islands and brought to the UAE. There are three vastlagoons where visitors can meet these dolphins through a choice ofinteractions.
TheAquarium, which holds a recently capturedwhale shark from the waters of the UAE, is said to hold some 65,000 marineanimals, including sharks, eels, rays, piranhas, as well as multitudes ofexotic fish. A local Dubai newspaper reports that the capturedwhale shark will “eventually be tagged andreleased”. Atlantis announced the capture of thejuvenile whale shark recently which was found in shallow waters, “fatigued anddisorientated”. Whale Sharks areprotected by CITES (Convention for the International Trade of EndangeredSpecies) and apparently the hotel was urged to release the animal.
Itis unknown how long Atlantis plan to keep the whale shark for.
