NEW FEATURE
Arriving this Easter - THE UK's first Hammerhead Sharks
This Easter come and visit our new residents, the Hammerhead sharks as they join the black-tipped reef sharks and giant sea turtles in the tropical ocean tank.
These stunning creatures, which will be the first for a UK aquarium, will be setting into their new home from 27th March.
The pair are over three feel long, but could eventually grow to two metres. They are usually found throughout tropical and warm temperate seas, including the Western Atlantic, Carribean, Indo-Pacific and Red Sea
The sharks will spearhead a major new conservation drive, as they are officially classified as endangered. In the last 30 years, the population has declined by up to 90%, mainly due to over-fishing. Like all sharks, they grow slowly and produce small numbers of young. Consequently, they are very vulnerable to over-fishing. The fins of this species are considered to be especially valuable and fishing is largely unregulated.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these strange and beautiful animals up close. Any closer and you'll have to get wet!
