SeaWorld Abu Dhabi news thread

[snowleopard]

Mod note: this thread split from the previous thread now that the park is open: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi planned



This brand-new facility opens today and the link below contains images of some of the exhibits:

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi launches immersive realms and marine experiences on Yas Island

 

[Westcoastperson]

Here is a good blog showing off the entire complex:

I must say the exhibits and themes are very impressive and they did a very good job overall. It looks like the Dugong hasn’t arrived yet but the tank they plan to put it in is there so I’m assuming it will come eventually. The Open Ocean is a true feat and looks to be more impressive the Ocean Voyage however I wonder if they plan to stock it with more species. The only species I saw in large amounts were Grey Reef Sharks, Sand Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads, and Cownose Rays. The exhibit is impressive but it feels empty.

 

[LiSom]

It looks pretty nice. I will visit someday in the next months and share some photos here

 

[oflory]

This link has numerous pictures of exhibits. The dugong isn't on exhibit yet, neither are any species of sea-snake or the (I think unannounced) humpback dolphin. Pictures of the dolphin and the dugong behind-the-scenes are at the bottom of page 3.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi construction updates (themeparx.com)

 

[LiSom]

Guys!! I visited SeaWorld a week ago!
It is a very impressive aquarium with a very nice design that makes it easy to get around.
Their dugong still not on public display. Humbpack dolphins also not in display (that big pool for "rescue dolphins" in their rescue area had a few divers doing some work inside which made me think maybe dolphins were just move to do some maintenance of the pool).
Shows were quite disappointing, still need to improve a lot in that aspect but they just opened so I can understand that.
I will let here some pics I took with my phone of the whole area (sorry about the low quality)

One Ocean main area

One Ocean area SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

Sea Lion and harbor seal enclosure

Sea lion enclosure SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 2

Sea lion show stage

Sea lion stage SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

Dolphin show stage

Dolphin show stage SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 2

Flamingo enclosure. Dolphin enclosure in the back (almost no separation, just different water level)

Flamingo and dolphin enclosure SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 4

Endless Ocean main window

Endless Ocean main window SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

As it is a close area, light is always tricky for pictures so I am not very happy with the result I got on my camera but will publish some of them on my flickr account (plus I am planning to visit again in August with some friends, now knowing the area I can focus a bit more on photos).
Here is my flickr account with some of my camera pics:

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

 

[Sicarius]

Guys!! I visited SeaWorld a week ago!
It is a very impressive aquarium with a very nice design that makes it easy to get around.
Their dugong still not on public display. Humbpack dolphins also not in display (that big pool for "rescue dolphins" in their rescue area had a few divers doing some work inside which made me think maybe dolphins were just move to do some maintenance of the pool).
Shows were quite disappointing, still need to improve a lot in that aspect but they just opened so I can understand that.
I will let here some pics I took with my phone of the whole area (sorry about the low quality)

One Ocean main area

One Ocean area SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

Sea Lion and harbor seal enclosure

Sea lion enclosure SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 2

Sea lion show stage

Sea lion stage SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

Dolphin show stage

Dolphin show stage SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 2

Flamingo enclosure. Dolphin enclosure in the back (almost no separation, just different water level)

Flamingo and dolphin enclosure SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 4

Endless Ocean main window

Endless Ocean main window SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

As it is a close area, light is always tricky for pictures so I am not very happy with the result I got on my camera but will publish some of them on my flickr account (plus I am planning to visit again in August with some friends, now knowing the area I can focus a bit more on photos).
Here is my flickr account with some of my camera pics:

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Thanks for your post! Do you happen to know which shark species they currently hold in their main tank along with sandtiger sharks?

 

[Westcoastperson]

Guys!! I visited SeaWorld a week ago!
It is a very impressive aquarium with a very nice design that makes it easy to get around.
Their dugong still not on public display. Humbpack dolphins also not in display (that big pool for "rescue dolphins" in their rescue area had a few divers doing some work inside which made me think maybe dolphins were just move to do some maintenance of the pool).
Shows were quite disappointing, still need to improve a lot in that aspect but they just opened so I can understand that.
I will let here some pics I took with my phone of the whole area (sorry about the low quality)

One Ocean main area

One Ocean area SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

Sea Lion and harbor seal enclosure

Sea lion enclosure SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 2

Sea lion show stage

Sea lion stage SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

Dolphin show stage

Dolphin show stage SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 2

Flamingo enclosure. Dolphin enclosure in the back (almost no separation, just different water level)

Flamingo and dolphin enclosure SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023
• 4

Endless Ocean main window

Endless Ocean main window SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

• LiSom
• 26 Jul 2023

As it is a close area, light is always tricky for pictures so I am not very happy with the result I got on my camera but will publish some of them on my flickr account (plus I am planning to visit again in August with some friends, now knowing the area I can focus a bit more on photos).
Here is my flickr account with some of my camera pics:

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Thanks for your post! Do you happen to know which shark species they currently hold in their main tank along with sandtiger sharks?

Or any other fish in the big exhibit and the smaller exhibits that didn’t have any animals when the aquarium opened. Along with that was the parrot forest by the dolphins open?

 

[Sphenisciologist]

Penguins have started to go on exhibit in the Antarctica realm and progress is coming along! The website says that it’s currently unavailable so there might still be some issues or construction goals, but they were accessible for a hot minute. Some photos of the exhibit:

This might be my new personal favorite penguin exhibit of the SeaWorld lineup to be honest, just slightly topping San Diego’s. The overall natural aesthetic of the exhibit is pretty appealing, I love the design of the research-like facility and the arch of the ice structure, and of course, a great species collection.

 

[Bactrian Deer]

What penguins are in this habitat?

 

[Sphenisciologist]

What penguins are in this habitat?

King, Adélie, chinstrap, gentoo, macaroni, and southern rockhopper.

 

[LiSom]

Or any other fish in the big exhibit and the smaller exhibits that didn’t have any animals when the aquarium opened. Along with that was the parrot forest by the dolphins open?

For fishes and sharks give me a few days to check all my pics and try to ID whatever I can or share it here

About the parrots, it was still close. I saw a few macaws inside the enclosure (scarlet, blue throat and green wing... I also remember seeing some military in some pics online but no sure)

 

[splendens]

Wow I know some of the species on the themeparx.com signage are not present or just on there for information but to what extent? Lots of impressive species listed, especially in the Antarctic section like the patagonian toothfish, slime star and the icefish.

 

[Sicarius]

Wow I know some of the species on the themeparx.com signage are not present or just on there for information but to what extent? Lots of impressive species listed, especially in the Antarctic section like the patagonian toothfish, slime star and the icefish.

The signs are completely wrong, they also list leatherback sea turtle amongst others.

 

[splendens]

The signs are completely wrong, they also list leatherback sea turtle amongst others.

Are you sure? The signage seems to list species that are present like the bottle nosed dolphins, planned like the socotra cormorants I believe and those that are not kept like the leather back sea turtle.

 

[Westcoastperson]

QUOTE="Sicarius, post: 1483797, member: 15188"]The signs are completely wrong, they also list leatherback sea turtle amongst others.[/QUOTE]
I think that only applies for Open Ocean. Don’t forget part of the whole idea of open ocean is those large led screens that show other animals. Here are the signs being talked about for ease. (All credit goes to user Michael at Themeparkx)



Obviously species like Leatherback and Oceanic Whitetip will not be in exhibit however it does include species we know are in the exhibit. The more reasonable species are most likely going to be in the exhibit some time in the near future. And of course species like the Tiger Shark and Great Hammerhead that could be held in captivity but most likely won’t be should be taken with a grain of salt. That’s all not to say the entire species list is totally inaccurate. And what kind of education division would purposely put in all those species because they knew they weren’t on exhibit? I mean they should list which species is on exhibit or is on the LED screen but still they’re clearly on the list for a reason.
And here are the other species lists that were posted to the site. These most likely require less digression because these exhibits are just animals and not screens.

 

[splendens]

I feel like unless there is some display/screen about the species found in South Africa like the black musselcracker they wouldn't be signed. These species are not very well known and do not really range all the way to Antarctica or too far south. So unless there is a tank or screen focusing on these species they may not be signed?

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A male dugong has arrived at the facility where he will remain under permanent care. The calf was initially found in 2019 and has been kept in human care ever since. Malquot the rescued dugong transferred to Yas SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi

 

[Bactrian Deer]

How many dugongs does the aquarium have or at least plan to have?

 

[Sicarius]

How many dugongs does the aquarium have or at least plan to have?

If I'm not mistaken, it's still just the one male that's been in captivity since 2019. He's not yet on show.

 

[Aelita]

Has anyone been or have any updates to report? I’ve used the « Snapchat map » to see the highlights and the facilities look great.
And I do love how they make themselves available to assist the other aquariums in the region (example below) SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on Instagram‎: "Meet Mona, 16-year-old king penguin from the population at @skidxb, who has been at our Animal Care Center for a CT scan and a check-up. Utilizing the advanced technologies and expertise, our team provided results and suggestions for the next steps of her treatment to the referring veterinarian. Visit us to observe the state-of-the-art facilities and real-time animal care by veterinarians through expansive windows, while our Educators provide insights and answer your questions. #SeaWorldYasIsland #YasIsland #InAbuDhabi بتعاونٍ مُباشرٍ مع طبيبها البيطري، تمت إحالة منى- بطريق بعمر 16 عامًا من سكاي دبي-لمركزنا لإجراء فحوصات طبية عامة وفحص مقطعي. زوروا مركز رعاية الحيوانات لتتعرفوا على الخبرات والتقنيات المُستخدمة لتوفير الرعاية الطبية اللازمة للحيوانات. #سي_وورلد_جزيرة_ياس #جزيرة_ياس #في_أبوظبي"‎