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(Hong Kong – 10 January 2009) Ocean Park reported that Chinese sturgeons no. 6 and no. 8 have arrived at the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences in Xiamen and are settling in the holding facilities. The two Chinese sturgeons departed Ocean Park at 7 pm last night, accompanied by five experts, including two from the Mainland and three from the Park. All arrived at the base shortly after 9 am this morning (10 January.)
Ocean Park chairman, Dr Allan Zeman, said “After discussions with our mainland experts, we all agreed that the best arrangement for the two fish will be to send them to the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences. Ocean Park’s facilities mainly operate in a salt water environment, but in Xiamen, there are available facilities to enable the two fish to be kept separately in a fresh water pool, so that adjustments to the salinity of the water can be made to meet the specific needs of the two fish.”
Ocean Park will continue the close monitoring of the remaining five Chinese sturgeons. The Park will also continue discussions with Mainland experts to finalise arrangements for the five fish, and the way forward in this conservation research project involving the Chinese sturgeons.
The conservation project on the Chinese sturgeons undertaken by Ocean Park with the Mainland partners, which included the National Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Association, the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science, and the Beijing Aquarium, has inspired new learning. The case studies indicated each Chinese sturgeon can react differently to the process of salination, and some factors that lead to different reactions include the age of the fish and its physiological conditions.
Chinese sturgeons no. 6 and no. 8 are both nine years old. No. 6 measures 2.3 m in length and no. 8 is 1.5m long. Both arrived at Ocean Park in July 2008 from the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science.
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About Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s unique homegrown theme park with a heritage of delivering family fun and fond memories. Since its opening in January 1977 as a non-profit organization, Ocean Park has developed itself to be a world-class attraction connecting people with nature, and recognized for its animal husbandry, research and relationship with the community. Over 90 million people have visited Hong Kong's premier park since its inception and Ocean Park has remained committed to offer adults and children experiences that blend entertainment with education and conservation. Part of the proceeds from the Ocean Park admission tickets and some retail items will go to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong to support its wildlife conservation projects.
