Tiger sharks turn nasty in Dubai Mall aquarium

FISHY BUSINESS: An artist's impression of the new aquarium at Dubai Mall.

Sand Tiger sharks have killed at least 40 smaller reef sharks and been aggressive towards divers at The Dubai Mall Aquarium, it was claimed on Thursday.

Divers carrying out tasks in the tank, without a cage, have had their equipment damaged and experienced minor injuries due to the behaviour of the sharks, according to UAE daily Khaleej Times.

Yousif Al Ali, general manager of The Dubai Mall, told the paper there had been some incidents at its showpiece aquarium which features 33,000 marine animals and is due to open as part of the grand opening of the mall on October 30.

"During the stages of setting up the aquarium, two cases of minor injuries were reported and were immediately attended to by the on-site medical team," Ali said.

He would not confirm the extent to which aquatic species had been affected by the sharks’ aggression but added: "It is inevitable that aquatic species die — sometimes out of natural causes or out of injuries inflicted by bigger fish species."

Sand Tiger sharks, by nature, are fish-eating. However, all sharks and other animals in the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at The Dubai Mall are currently on a monitored feeding schedule in order to subdue their naturally opportunistic behaviour and appetite.

The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre features the world’s largest viewing panel and a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. The centre will feature the world’s single largest school of sharks.

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READERS' COMMENTS

'Dubai Mall working on subduing their
Posted by Joe Simm, New York, USA on Wednesday 24 September 2008 at 23:41 UAE time

Dredging up the beautiful waters off of Dubai to build an island and now scooping the innocent animals out of the water.
No respect for nature. Oh look, an indoor ski resort.

Dubai puts the 'mental' in environmental

No respect for nature
Posted by Graham Plater, Munich, Germany on Monday 22 September 2008 at 14:06 UAE time


Well, the justifiably carnivorous tiger sharks seem to have sparked some public interest - how odd that they should insist upon behaving in such a primitive fashion, have they learned nothing about good manners over the past few million years? But let's spare a thought for the equally maladjusted whale shark which was recently "rescued" off Jebel Ali only to land in a hotel's artificial lagoon. I very much doubt that it will ever "recover" enough to be set free again, another Dubai attraction for the “best/biggest/tallest...” list. What a shame (and something to be ashamed of). These creatures are not on the planet for our entertainment, and deserve respect. But in a place obsessed with vulgar show effects we might yet see the very last white tiger, stuffed and frozen in its last attack leap, forever gracing the slopes of Ski Dubai...

Sharks
Posted by Sean on Sunday 21 September 2008 at 13:45 UAE time


Sharks are successfully held in 1000's of aquariums around the world without incident. These are minor problems that will be overcome. It sounds like an awesome facility, and I am looking forward to it opening.

Marine Biologists... I think not!

shark turn nasty in mall tank
Posted by rene, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 21 September 2008 at 08:44 UAE time

Would you expect a predator to eat on a feeding program. It's a hunter and will hunt !!! For the next mall consider a display with foxes, wolves, chicken and ducks. Put the foxes and wolves on a feeding program and expect them not to hunt down chickens ???
You can't buy nature !!

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