SeaWorld Abu Dhabi news thread

[Local_Shark]

Three mantas were collected from Florida waters since 2023 - all destined to Sea World Abu Dhabi - one of which was euthanized at the Dynasty Marine holding facility before transport.

Some excellent reporting by the Orlando Sentinel
Records: 3 Florida manta rays captured for overseas aquarium Records: 3 Florida manta rays captured for overseas aquarium

While it’s undeniable that this sort of thing only gets reported on when it goes wrong (given that Georgia also acquired Talulah and Blue from FL I believe), it seems to me that Dynasty’s practices are particularly non-conducive to success. The amount of stress they placed on the manta they just caught was inexcusable imo, and the proof is in the pudding given that another already died in their “care”. I wonder if it was them that caught those two for Georgia - given the pair’s lack of issues in captivity at all thus far, I doubt it.

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

While it’s undeniable that this sort of thing only gets reported on when it goes wrong (given that Georgia also acquired Talulah and Blue from FL I believe), it seems to me that Dynasty’s practices are particularly non-conducive to success. The amount of stress they placed on the manta they just caught was inexcusable imo, and the proof is in the pudding given that another already died in their “care”. I wonder if it was them that caught those two for Georgia - given the pair’s lack of issues in captivity at all thus far, I doubt it.

They also collected the Florida specimens for Georgia and they're doing quite fine. As far as I'm aware, they're the only company collecting in Florida for mantas.

 

[domadordeolas]

Georgia Aquarium used to have another manta ray called Raven, who died some years ago after living around 10 years there. I think that she was also caught in Florida.

 

[Local_Shark]

They also collected the Florida specimens for Georgia and they're doing quite fine. As far as I'm aware, they're the only company collecting in Florida for mantas.

If so, then I think they still need to reconsider the methodology they are using. The video was genuinely atrocious, the animal looked extremely stressed. I've collected hundreds if not thousands of rays of five species myself, for scientific tallies that usually end in release immediately after. I've not seen many as stressed as that manta was, even with our nets almost certainly being simpler and less targeted systems. As a more pelagic species, their stress level is even more critical to avoid serious adverse results.

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

Blowback from the viral captures

After viral video of giant manta ray capture, bipartisan Florida lawmakers want change After viral video of giant manta ray capture, bipartisan Florida lawmakers want change

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

The manta captures have been suspended

Florida suspends licenses for manta ray captures Florida suspends licenses for manta ray captures

 

[captain alligator]

Why are there two aquariums in Abu Dhabi? (The other one is The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi)

 

[Jambo]

Why are there two aquariums in Abu Dhabi? (The other one is The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi)

Technically not - Seaworld is a theme park, not an aquarium.

 

[captain alligator]

Personally, I'm curious about Abu Dhabi Sea World keeping sea otters. (Even though they're kept indoors, I find it unusual that sea otters are kept in a hot country like the United Arab Emirates.)