World’s Largest Aquarium Opens In Singapore

An aquarium on the resort island of Sentosa in Singapore opened in late November and claims to be the world’s largest aquarium.

The S.E.A. Aquarium, ABC News reports, houses 100,000 marine animals of more than 800 species. The aquatic life is housed in nearly 12 million gallons of water. With numerous zones of the world represented and nearly 50 habitats, the world’s largest aquarium is sure to get plenty of positive attention.

Positive attention aside, ANI reports that animal rights activists have been lobbying for S.E.A. Aquarium to release its 25 dolphins, which were captured for the exhibit. Park officials say, however, that the dolphin capture was ecologically sound.

“We hold the belief that zoological organizations have a role to play in wildlife conservation and that to avert species crises, controlled wildlife collections can occur for quality zoological facilities to increase our understanding of the species and for breeding purposes,” a spokesman told ANI.

The cost of admission will be $24 for an adult, and among the displays is a 118-by-27 feet glass viewing panel into the “Open Ocean” exhibit, which is the world’s largest viewing panel in an aquarium. S.E.A. Aquarium will also have interactive exhibits for kids and adults. There are plans to add shark and dolphin encounters in the future.

In addition to the S.E.A. Aquarium, the resort also opened Adventure Cove Waterpark last month.

If S.E.A. Aquarium’s claims about its size are correct, the facility will replace Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium as the world’s largest aquarium. Georgia Aquarium, which opened in 2005, boasts more than 10 million gallons of water.