INTERNATIONAL: Hammerhead sharks, great barracudas and puffins are only some of the animals on view at The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. The attraction is the first to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination in the capital. It is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species. Spanning more than 9,000 square metres. The the largest aquarium in the Middle East and it just opens its doors to visitors on Friday.
General Manager of the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, Paul Hamilton says, “So, this particular exhibit it's called ‘Bu Tinah’. Bu Tinah is a real location here in Abu Dhabi. It was voted for natural wonders of the world and we've tried to re-create that environment in this exhibit. No one's allowed out there because it's a heavily protected area. So,the only place where you can get some idea of what Bu Tinah might look like is here. We’ve created the seagrass beds, we have the hammerhead sharks and an array of different types of fish that you would see in that location. I am extremely proud of this exhibit. The Bu Tinah exhibit is the key exhibit or the hero exhibit of the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi.” He says this is the largest challenge for them on this project is the COVID-19.
Mirroring various marine habitats across the globe, the aquarium features 10 different zones, including a rehabilitation centre for sea turtles. Each zone is specifically themed. The 10 zones in total are UAE’s Natural Treasures, Red Sea Wreck, Atlantic Cave, The Sub, Ring of Fire, Ocean Magic, Frozen Ocean, Flooded Forest, Bu Tinah Island and Back of House, and set up to tell a narrative.
A highlight is UAE Natural Treasures, which pays homage to the country’s rich pearl diving history through animated paintings with video mapping technology. Another popular zone will likely be Flooded Forest where visitors will find the super snake, a female reticulated python aged 14 that weighs 115 kilograms. The area also has more than 8,000 rainforest creatures, including free-roaming birds that fly around and yet don't go near guests.
It isn’t only about animals behind the glass or birds flying around. The aquarium offers a number of interactive experiences including scuba diving, animal feedings and glass-bottom dhow tours that also go on to explain more about the animals and their natural habitats. Education, rescue and rehabilitation are guiding priorities for The National Aquarium. The entire facility has been designed to provide both children and adults with world-class interactive learning opportunities, to spotlight the vital role our marine environment plays on the well-being of all.
