Freshwater megafauna are in big trouble

DavidBrown

DavidBrown

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
A new study surveyed the state of the world's freshwater megafauna (animals that live in freshwater weighing 66 pounds and more). This group includes hippos, giant stingrays, and more than 200 other species.

Most of these species and their river habitats are severely endangered and will take concerted conservation engagement and action to protect.

If any zoos and aquariums are looking for a unique exhibit theme, here is a good one...


The Freshwater Giants Are Dying
 
Interesting read.

And several species could be a good addition to large aquaria, for example huge freshwater stingrays from South Asia and South America.
 
Fascinating article, thanks for sharing it. Did anyone else think of River Safari in Singapore reading this? That seems like one of the only zoo or aquarium specializing in freshwater ecosystems.
 
Loxodonta Cobra said:
Fascinating article, thanks for sharing it. Did anyone else think of River Safari in Singapore reading this? That seems like one of the only zoo or aquarium specializing in freshwater ecosystems.
Click to expand...

The Tennessee Aquarium also specializes in freshwater habitats. At one time (and maybe still?) it was the only freshwater aquarium (although they later also added a saltwater expansion building, the original aquarium still exists).
 
Loxodonta Cobra said:
Fascinating article, thanks for sharing it. Did anyone else think of River Safari in Singapore reading this? That seems like one of the only zoo or aquarium specializing in freshwater ecosystems.
Click to expand...
DavidBrown said:
The Tennessee Aquarium also specializes in freshwater habitats. At one time (and maybe still?) it was the only freshwater aquarium (although they later also added a saltwater expansion building, the original aquarium still exists).
Click to expand...
Great lakes Aquarium, Reiman Aquarium (the ladder has a few saltwater tanks but is almost completely freshwater).
 
In Europe there is Aquatis at Lausanne. Several zoos/wildlife centres have impressive freshwater tanks (or even an underwater view into a real lake) but they care only about local species.

I wondered sometimes. There exist freshwater sharks, sawfish and giant rays, why zoos and aquariums inland display only saltwater species?
 
Interesting article, particularly the report some of the giants are increasing in number. Not surprised East Asia has the worst report, given the high population and conservation struggle most areas there seem to have.
 
[QUOTE="DavidBrown, post: 1184306, member: 988"At one time (and maybe still?) it was the only freshwater aquarium[/QUOTE]

I doubt it a lot.Even my hometown "zoo" is a freshwater aquarium only, the Zaragoza Fluvial Aquarium. And it exist since 2008.
 
Kakapo said:
[QUOTE="DavidBrown, post: 1184306, member: 988"At one time (and maybe still?) it was the only freshwater aquarium
Click to expand...

I doubt it a lot.Even my hometown "zoo" is a freshwater aquarium only, the Zaragoza Fluvial Aquarium. And it exist since 2008.[/QUOTE]


The Tennessee Aquarium opened in 1992. At that time it was the largest freshwater aquarium in the world.
 
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