Marine animal lovers will be greeted with a larger, more spacious and refreshed SEA Aquarium (SEAA) at Resorts World Sentosa with the addition of a new immersive zone that extends your journey from the tropical rainforest and intertidal coastal terrains before descending upon the underwater cities of brightly-hued coral reefs.Offering plenty of open spaces for guests to circulate and view the exhibits with safe management measures in place, the enhanced zone will intrigue young and old with its eye-catching educational displays that inspire marine conservation.
As life gradually transitions to a new norm in Singapore, the calm and serenity of the past months have also breathed new life among our aquatic animals with several exciting newborns, some of which are residents at the new zone.
SEA Aquarium – New Rainforest, Intertidal and Coral Reef Habitats
The rainforest, one of the oldest ecosystems in the world, is home to more than half of the world’s species of plants and animals. Featuring one of the most iconic animals at SEAA, the new Rainforest habitat is home to the poison arrow frog, a beautiful but deadly amphibian whose toxin is powerful enough to kill an adult human. These vividly-coloured, thumb-sized creatures get their moniker from indigenous tribes who used the frogs’ poison to coat arrow tips for hunting and self-defence.
At the Intertidal habitat, where coasts toggle between being submerged during high tides and exposed during low tides, guests will come close to animals such as the epaulette shark – named after the two large black spots behind their pectoral fins which resemble the epaulettes, a type of decoration, found on military uniforms;
and the knobbly sea star – a native sea star found in Singapore waters recognised by the chocolate chip-like knobs on top of its body. You and your little ones will be able to meet these marine animals at the Discovery Pool, equipped with washbasins for you to sanitise your hands before and after the experience.
You will conclude your journey at a never-been-seen habitat showcasing coral fragments. Situated at the Coral Reef habitat, coral fragments, which are sectioned pieces of corals, allow you to understand how SEAA carries out its coral propagation programme by mimicking one of their natural reproduction methods. Coral propagation using fragmentation is one way to help restore damaged reefs by growing new coral colonies and reintroducing them into the ocean. Successful reproduction of these colourful plant-like animals – made up of polyps – will contribute towards populating the visually-stunning Hard Coral habitat at SEAA.
SEA Aquarium – New Births of Animals
During the months when operations were temporarily suspended, the aquarium’s successful husbandry, coupled with professional and dedicated care by the curatorial team, has resulted in the births of new animal residents. These include several housed at the enhanced zone such as poison arrow frog and epaulette shark. Among the newborns are some listed as “Vulnerable” and “Threatened” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species belonging to the elasmobranch (both sharks and rays) species.
These are the leopard whipray, so-named after the unique markings on its body resembling a leopard’s coat and
the white-tip reef shark, recognised by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper tail fins.
Ms. Michelle Choo, Acting Vice President for Attractions, RWS said: “One of our key objectives at S.E.A. Aquarium is to educate the young about ocean diversity and inspire them to contribute toward ocean conservation. Through this new enhanced journey at S.E.A. Aquarium which travels to new Rainforest, Intertidal and Coral Reef habitats, we hope our guests will experience a deeper understanding of how different ecosystems come together to maintain the environment, and why loss of habitats is detrimental to the population of marine wildlife, and ultimately humans. At the same time, guests will be delighted to meet our new SEAA babies and watch how they grow and assimilate to their habitats.”
SEA Aquarium – Safe Management Measures
Ensuring guests have a safe and enjoyable time at S.E.A. Aquarium, the attraction has implemented a suite of stringent safe management measures anchored on our three principles of Safe Entry, Safe Experience and Safe Environment. Prominent queue and floor markers as well as stanchions are placed in front of all habitats to ensure safe distancing.
All viewing panels, photo walls and railings are wiped down and disinfected hourly. A team of roving Safe Distancing Ambassadors are deployed to enforce the safe management measures including reminding guests to maintain 1-metre or more distancing, and mandatory wearing of face masks. Antimicrobial coating, effective in eliminating viruses and bacteria, is extensively applied at all high-touch within the aquarium.
This is supplemented with hourly wipe-downs using industrial grade disinfectant. Hand sanitisers are available through the aquarium, including the new zone, for guest use.
From now till 1 November 2020, guests can enjoy the Halloween festivities at S.E.A. Aquarium’s Deep Boo Sea with fun trick-or-treating activities, candy giveaways, photo hunt to find lost pearls with exclusive prizes to be worn, a Halloween best-dressed contest and lots of perfect moments for the ‘gram. For more information, please visit website.
