Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Date opened	2000
Location	Las Vegas, Nevada, Nevada, United States
Coordinates
Floor space	95,000 sq ft (8,800 m2)
Number of animals	Over 2,000
Number of species	Over 100
Volume of largest tank	1,300,000 US gal (4,900,000 L)
Total volume of tanks	1,600,000 US gal (6,100,000 L)
Memberships	AZA
Website	www.sharkreef.com

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a public aquarium located at and owned by the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its main tank is 1,300,000 US gallons (4,900,000 L), one of the largest in North America. The facility is 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m²), and displays numerous different species of sharks, rays, fish, reptiles, and marine invertebrates. It also features a shark tunnel.

The Shark Reef Aquarium is the only Nevada institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). While most aquariums are located close to the ocean, the Shark Reef is exceptional in that it is located in a desert, far from any natural water source. The reef was developed in consultation with the Vancouver Aquarium.

History

The exhibits opened in 2000. In 2007, it underwent a re-branding campaign adding "Aquarium" to the official name. Shark Reef Aquarium officials stated that the re-branding is intended to present the actual nature of the habitat, as members of the public sometimes confused Shark Reef as a name for a bar, lounge, restaurant, etc.

In 2012, Shark Reef Aquarium replaced the signage and audio-wands of each exhibit with various interactive touch screens throughout the facility.

Conservation and sustainability

Members of the Shark Reef staff participate in the "Adopt-a-Cove" program to aid in the clean up of Lake Mead. Within the map and guide handed out at the park, they offer an "In Good Taste" guide that folds up into a business card size pamphlet to promote sustainable seafood choices. The information found within this guide is credited to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. Throughout the various exhibits, there is signage to educate the audience about the dangers of shark finning, introducing invasive species (like lion fish), and various other harmful practices.

Devil's Hole pupfish

In May 2005, two adult male Devil's Hole pupfish were moved from Devils Hole and two adult females were moved from a refuge at Hoover Dam to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay in hopes of augmenting the population. These fish are not found on exhibit and can only be seen in the classroom facility during backstage tours.

Exhibits and animals

Jungle

The jungle is where you can find various reptiles and above ground animals such as golden crocodiles or a Komodo dragon.

Komodo dragon

On June 20, 2008, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay received a Komodo dragon from the Miami MetroZoo. He is currently at the Jungle Temple exhibit at the aquarium.

Other animals

After the 10th birthday, they added a Burmese python and two green tree monitors in the Jungle Temple.

Temple

Touch pool

Within the temple, the Shark Reef offers a touch pool where attendees can have a hands on approach of several marine species. Common species found within the touch pool include horseshoe crabs, and various rays. Every now and then the touch pool becomes a temporary home to baby zebra sharks.

Shipwreck / main tank

The shipwreck tank, touted as the third largest in North America, is home to several endangered and threatened marine species including green sea turtles, sand tiger sharks, and green sawfish.

Great hammerhead shark

Shark Reef Aquarium was the first closed-system aquarium in North America to exhibit a great hammerhead shark. The female juvenile was less than four feet long when she was accidentally caught off the coast of Florida. The shark was successfully flown into Mandalay Bay in August 2001 on a record 16-hour flight in a special transportation tank designed specifically for it. It remained in a private quarantine tank for 2.5 years until the in-house aquarium husbandry team decided it had grown large enough where it would not fall prey to the other sharks in the exhibit tank. It measured six feet long when it was finally introduced among big public fanfare into the 1.3 million gallon tank on November 3, 2003 for public exhibition. After more than a year on exhibit, the specimen died suddenly and unexpectedly on December 16, 2004. A necropsy later attributed an intestinal infection as the cause of death. The specimen had grown to 6.5 ft (2.0 m) and weighed in at 95 lb (43 kg) at time of death.

Shark ray

On Shark Reef's 10th birthday, they placed a bowmouth guitarfish on exhibit, the new resident.

External links

• Las Vegas Animal Exhibits