We have a Great White

[Dell'Oro]

Just get in there with a tape measure!!!

There was a case here when a great white got into a tuna pen about a year ago. They figured out how to free it after a week or so, and said at the end that it hadn't taken any of the fish whilst it was in there (not quite sure how they could be sure of this). Don't know whether it wasn't eating due to stress or not, but it seemed odd at the time. Hopefully your exhibits will be safe!

Cheers

Paul

 

[needyreefer]

wonrib00: at school we watch a news channel type show called Channel One in the morning, Fridays main story was about Great Whites on the endangered list and they talked about Monterey Bay and your guys' great white. They interviewed somone from there and had some footage of the shark. After the show I had to explain to everyone how I knew the whole story long before this. lol

 

[needyreefer]

wonrib00: at school we watch a news channel type show called Channel One in the morning, Fridays main story was about Great Whites on the endangered list and they talked about Monterey Bay and your guys' great white. They interviewed somone from there and had some footage of the shark. After the show I had to explain to everyone how I knew the whole story long before this. lol

 

[mikeo1210]

Thanks for the thread/info. I feel fortunate to have seen her in person. My friend (a member) and I are hoping to go during the week w/o the crowds and see her eat. That'd be so cool.

 

[wonrib00]

needyreefer I am glad that I could give you a little back ground before everyone else. Hopefully she will make and positive impact on everyone that sees her and they will change the perceptive they may have on sharks.

mikeo1210 You are very welcome. Might I reccomend a Tuesday or a Wednesday, around two in the afternoon for your visit. That is usually a good time as the school groups have gone home, and it is not as busy right in the middle of the week. It is very doubtful you will get to she her eat anything at all as we do the feeding in the back of the exhibit where you really cont see what is going on. Main reason is we are still haveing these jerks take flashphotograpy, even though there are signs all around, and a recording that is played over the PA. We feed her there because people will want to take a photo of her eating, and more than likely a flash will be used. We dont want her to associate a flash in the eye with a meal.

Dell'Oro You said to just get in there, and we did! On day 39, that being yesterday (Sat), we send two divers into the tank that had the GWS in it. There were two reasons for the dive. One to do a little cleaning, and to collect scientific data (say you have swam with a GWS in captivity). The divers were two of our aquarists that have been directly involved with theproject from day one. They of course were wearing metal suits. One of the tings that was a little suprising was that they did not take the pord in with them. They instead used a mallet. The GWS paid no attention to them at all. Her swimming was the same with them in there as it was with them out of there. It seems as thoug we think on new things to throw at her that may stress her out, but she has responded very well to every single thing we have done to her, except the flash photography.

In talking to some of the staff in husbandry, we are starting to get varying views on how old she is. The numbers we are starting to hear are 4 months, 6-7 months, and the 9-12 months. Not sure if I have said this part on the thread or not, but you can still see her "belly button". She has a scar on the underside of her. If you were to make a line from the front of one pectoral fin to the other, right in the middle about two inches forward from that line you will see a divot that is about an inch to two inches big.

 

[wonrib00]

There are no real updates at this time. We did send divers in again on Wednesday the 27th. The GWS seemed to pay no attention to them at all. She doesnt seem to mind the bubbles coming up from underneath her at all. Today is day 44 if my math is right. I dont really think we are keeping track anymore as we know she is doing great.

Story time: I reread the post and did this this story so I will tell it. About a month ago I was talking to a guest and his lady friend. In talking with her she said that this was the second greatest molment of her life while looking at the GWS. I know that what we are doing is great, but I think she needs to get out just a little bit more. I didnt even ask what the first greatest molment was.

 

[notoriousB]

there is an update that is posted everyday with a pictue of our "little pumpkin butt".

so you LIED! You did name her!!

just read this whole thread, awesome to see her healthy and eating in captivity. :thumbsup: for a long healthy life for little pumpkin butt.

 

[mikeo1210]

We did send divers in again...

 

[inkwachemis]

Are you guys gonna be scared to dive in there when it gets bigger? Can you technically house a 10ft+ GWS in that tank? Or would it be too cramped?

 

[Putawaywet]

Main reason is we are still haveing these jerks take flashphotograpy, even though there are signs all around, and a recording that is played over the PA. We feed her there because people will want to take a photo of her eating, and more than likely a flash will be used. We dont want her to associate a flash in the eye with a meal.

Gee, what a small world. I'm in husbandry down at LBAOP and after we pulled off the big Weedy Sea Dragon birthing we literally had to station education people at the tank to verbally warn people about the flash. Apparently, people can no longer be bothered with someting as trivial as abiding by a 18" sign that says.... "please, no flash photography". Then again, that really no big surprise considering there isn't a day that doesn't go by that I don't have to ask someone to get down off one of the exhibits or to please not put their hands in a tank. Although, there is a part of me that secretly hopes you start offering an upgraded ticket for an extra special shark encounter. You know, for those extra special guests that you have to deal with

All jokes aside, glad to hear she is still doing well. A bunch of our people are coming up to do a job shadow next month with some of your husbandry staff. I believe it's going to be a 3 day stint or so. They gave eveyone their choice of areas and strangely..... open water got picked each and every time - go figure

Keep up the good work.

Brett

 

[wonrib00]

notoriousB Shhh, dont tell the husbandry folks or the PR people

inkwachemis Ya know its funny how most of the hard core divers just cant wait to get in there no matter what size she is. Some of the divers dont care either way, and while others will not get in there no matter what. SO to really answer your question, out ot our 135 volunteer divers and our hole husbandry staff, I am sure we can find someone. At some point they will switch from the mallet to the electric prod, so safety should not be an issue even if she did show some sort of agression twards the divers. Of course this is all speculation that she gets that big. We dont really have goal of 10 feet, we dont really have any goal other than to keep her as long as we can. The exhibit at its longest point is 90 feet and at its shortest (from front to back) it is 54 feet. So I am not too sure that a 10 footer would be a good fit for that exhibit. I am not sure that she will get that big, especially with all that we dont know, change in diet, change in behavior, the list goes on. Do we hope we can keep her that long? Sure, as long as she stays healthy.

Putawaywet We darn near have to post someone by the Leafy Seadragons as well. Next year or so when one of our temp exhibits goes out (Jellies or Sharks), we are supposed to be to doing seahorses. One that I would love to see is the Weedy. Having Weedys and Leafys in two different exhibits back to back would be awesome. We are going to try to crack the code on the Leafys at the same time. Our husbandry folks are great, whoever they get, they will not be disappointed. Although they (your people) may be a little disapointed if they are looking for a great view from the top of the million gallon tank. The best thing I have seen there is the turtle feedings, as they have to do those by hand. The facilites are nice and open, but the view of the exhibit itself kinda bites, no pun intended.

 

[inkwachemis]

notoriousB Shhh, dont tell the husbandry folks or the PR people

inkwachemis Ya know its funny how most of the hard core divers just cant wait to get in there no matter what size she is. Some of the divers dont care either way, and while others will not get in there no matter what. SO to really answer your question, out ot our 135 volunteer divers and our hole husbandry staff, I am sure we can find someone. At some point they will switch from the mallet to the electric prod, so safety should not be an issue even if she did show some sort of agression twards the divers. Of course this is all speculation that she gets that big. We dont really have goal of 10 feet, we dont really have any goal other than to keep her as long as we can. The exhibit at its longest point is 90 feet and at its shortest (from front to back) it is 54 feet. So I am not too sure that a 10 footer would be a good fit for that exhibit. I am not sure that she will get that big, especially with all that we dont know, change in diet, change in behavior, the list goes on. Do we hope we can keep her that long? Sure, as long as she stays healthy.

Putawaywet We darn near have to post someone by the Leafy Seadragons as well. Next year or so when one of our temp exhibits goes out (Jellies or Sharks), we are supposed to be to doing seahorses. One that I would love to see is the Weedy. Having Weedys and Leafys in two different exhibits back to back would be awesome. We are going to try to crack the code on the Leafys at the same time. Our husbandry folks are great, whoever they get, they will not be disappointed. Although they (your people) may be a little disapointed if they are looking for a great view from the top of the million gallon tank. The best thing I have seen there is the turtle feedings, as they have to do those by hand. The facilites are nice and open, but the view of the exhibit itself kinda bites, no pun intended.

thanks for the response. another thing I'd be scared would be it jumping out of the water! I've seen some sunning footage of a white shark leaping outta the water to catch seals. thats pretty scary to try to contain something that has a potential to do that. But I think I'd be great if you can keep this on a really long term basis.

 

[gatohoser]

That would have to be quit the jump. The water in the tank is about 10 feet or so below the ground up top right? I seen it but i cant remember too well. I know its at least 5 feet up.

 

[wonrib00]

inkwachemis GWS can get a lot of air when going after prey in the wild. Some can atain six feet no problem. Just think of an animal that weight 1 to 2+ tons getting out of the water six feet. We actually have already taken precautions with the tuna. If you look at this link and click on the first video clip that says "shark feeds on first day", you can see a net that has been set up all along the perimeter of the exhibit. That net fence has saved many a flying tuna during feedings.

gatohoser If you look at the viedo from above, you can see in the first 10 seconds of the video that the guy feeding the GWS, his feet are where the top of the white blocks are. The white blocks are about a foot to a foot and a half from the top of the water. You may have been thinking that the fince was part of the tank itself. We have to keep the water that high so the water can go into the overflow. Anyone that has a sump in their tank can aquate their tank with the million gallon tank, just on a little smaller scale at home.

I was talking to on of our web guys and I asked him how many hits had the site gotten after adding the GWS. Before the GWS: 20,000 a month, after GWS 800,000 a month. :smokin: ya, smokin. Talk about generating some enthusiasm.

 

[bgoode]

And how much have the live webcams slowed due to this surge of viewers? I know I watched it for quite a while those first few days.

 

[wonrib00]

bgoode They have slowed down quite a bit. There are times I try to watch them at home or at work, and the quality of them is just not worth watching.

OK, real science was done yesterday on accident really. One of our tuna sustained a fatal wound yesterday during the feeding of the exhibit. The wound was not inflicted by any animal in the exhibit. The tuna has a deep gash and blood was coming from it at a good rate, enough so all the guests that were there could easily see it. But the reaction of the sharks is what was interesting. We thought that the sharks would go right after the tuna (the GWS more so), but none of them seemed interested at all. The bleeding stoped after about 10 minutes or so while the tuna kept swimming. The aquarists said that the tuna would not make it to the morning, but seemed to be unaffected by the wound. None of the sharks picked on tuna all day long, and as of closing last night, the tuna was still in the exhibit. There are all kinds of ways this information can be interpreted, but we think that since our animals are fed well, it doesnt send them into a frenzy like they do out in the wild.

 

[hogpark7430]

with it being Halloween you think the stage would have been set for a awesome display of aggression, more evidence that these animals aren't mindless killers.

Respect them don't fear them.

 

[spleen93]

OK, real science was done yesterday on accident really. One of our tuna sustained a fatal wound yesterday during the feeding of the exhibit.

OK, I'm confused - so did the tuna live through this or not? I agree that the sharks' behavior was very interesting considering the blood in the water.

Spleen

 

[mebarryb]

Sharks are not the blood thirsty eaters that they are portrayed as. They are more stealth like in there hunting/feeding aproach.
If hungry yes the blood will atract them to the "near" scene, it does not make them charge right after whatever is bleeding.
If they are hungry and the prey is wounded it might make them strike faster.
With blood in the tank if they are not hungry they might not pay much attention to it, dont feed them for a few days or so then you might see more of a stalking of the prey and a strike after it.

If you have ever seen a show where sharks feed they usally always come from outa sight to strike there pray, they do not very often "show" themselves to what they are hunting before hand.

 

[wonrib00]

spleen93 The tuna lived through the trauma, but was taken out by the aquarists then next day. It was taken to a place called Tuna Research Conservation Center. TRCC is a joint project shared by MBA and Hopkins Marine Station (owned by Stanford). We actually had the aquarists drop a net infront of it was it was swimming. It took five aquarits to take the animal out.

mebarryb Exactly, and now we know it is true for captive animals as well.