Great White Shark Dies In Captivity At Japanese Aquarium

A big great white shark that was put on display at a Japanese aquarium in a move that was heavily criticised globally on social media died less than three days after the move took place. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium stated on its website in red letters that its great white shark exhibit “has been terminated.” The Wall Street Journal reported the shark died citing information provided by one of the exhibit keepers.

Swimming eratically

The shark which measured 11.5 feet was recently captured by fishermen who donated the predator to the aquarium. Since going on public display, the shark had been swimming erratically in the “Sea of dangerous sharks” exhibit. The shark was reported not to be eating prompting the aquarium to post a statement saying that depending on the condition of the shark, the exhibit could close.

Cause of death still being investigated

Exhibiting the shark was incredibly controversial because historically great white sharks do not do well in captivity. The only aquarium to successfully display great white sharks for extended periods without them dying is the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. However those sharks were much smaller than the one in Japan and were first acclimatised in open pens before they were put on display. Those sharks were also immediately released the minute they began to show signs of stress or bad health. The cause of death in Japan is still being investigated.