The Harbour Seals at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo in The Dubai Mall will now have a new home – in Indonesia.
The four Seals, one of the most popular visitor attractions at Underwater Zoo, have been relocated to Taman Safari Indonesia, one of the country’s renowned zoological parks, as they have reached maturity, and as the part of a zoo relocation programme.
The two sets of captive bred brother Seals, named by Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo educators as Tag, Uno, Kali and Datu, arrived in Dubai as sub-adults from Europe. Now as mature two-and-a-half year olds, they have been transported to Taman Safari.
Mr Damian Prendergast, General Manager, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, said the relocation of the four mature seals underscore the adherence of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo to international standards and practices in animal care and management, including IATA for the movement of the animals to their new home.
“Arriving here as young Seals, they have delighted more than 1.5 million visitors in just over a year. Now, as adults, they have moved to larger outdoor facilities where they will live and interact with other adult Seals,” he added.
Such relocation programmes are a normal practice encouraged globally in order to mix the genetics of captive animal populations. Taman Safari Indonesia was selected for their reputation in animal care and their special focus in the management of endangered species.
Taman Safari Indonesia is a South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA) and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) approved facility and is home to Sumatran elephants and tigers. The ambient temperature of the high altitude park is conducive for Harbour Seals.
Members from the Indonesian facility had earlier visited Underwater Zoo in Dubai to prepare for the relocation of the Seals. The journey was monitored at all stages to ensure the welfare of the seals in accordance with global standards relating to animal transport.
Mr Michael Sumampau, General Manager, Taman Safari, Indonesia, said: “We are delighted to receive these beautiful animals to our zoo. I am sure they will have a similar impact as they did in Dubai and visitors will love to see them.”
The space occupied by the Seals will now be set aside for an exciting new exhibit, which will provide a totally new experience for visitors. Details of the new exhibit will be revealed soon.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, managed by Emaar Retail, has over 33,000 aquatic animals and holds the Guinness Record for the world’s largest acrylic viewing panel.
Underwater Zoo, located on Level 2, features 36 individual aquatic displays and takes visitors through various aquatic environments.
The journey consists of three ecological zones: Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean, where a variety of aquatic animals are featured including Penguins, Crocodiles, Octopus, Piranhas, Spider Crabs, Water Rats, Giant Catfish, Lizards and Tiger Fish.
