With replenishable teeth, six senses, and unparalleled survival skills, sharks are the ultimate aquatic predator. Saluting Shark Week, Vancouver Aquarium is inviting visitors to get up close with these fierce yet fascinating animals with a Shark Week Giveaway from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 30 and a chance to experience an exclusive feeding with sharks or stingrays (‘flattened’ shark cousins). Perfect for those intrigued by sharks and stingrays, the lucky visitors will be randomly chosen upon arrival to enjoy behind-the-scenes access and dedicated time with an expert while helping feed these animals.
Terrifying stories have given sharks a bad rap but, believe it or not, these animals have an even more frightening predator – humans. Most shark species have never been known to attack humans, with an average of only four to 12 shark-related deaths reported each year. On the flip side, more than 100 million sharks are killed annually due to humans overfishing; now that’s scary stuff. Stingrays are not immune to this problem either. A quarter of the world’s sharks and stingrays are now threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
During Shark Week, Aquarium visitors can dive into the world of sharks and stingrays, learn about their unique characteristics, gain a better understanding of the challenges they face in the wild, as well as how to help through these fin-tastic programs and activities:
· Learn about Shark Senses, Secret Lives of Sharks, and more though talks in the Tropic Zone at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily.
· Hear stories about the sharks living off the B.C. coast during the Cold Blood in Cold Waters program in Pacific Canada Pavilion at 12 and 3 p.m. daily.
· Get hands on with stingrays in the Discover Rays gallery from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., 12 to 1:15 p.m., 2 to 3:45 p.m., and 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. daily.
· Catch a screening of the thrilling 4-D experience, Coastal Predators, following the greatest gathering of ocean predators on the planet.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park, 845 Avison Way
When: Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What: A chance to experience an exclusive feeding with sharks or stingrays upon admission via the Shark Week Giveaway as well as opportunities to learn more about sharks and stingrays via special programming
The Shark Week Giveaway is included with membership or admission. Giveaway winners will be randomly chosen by Admissions staff upon arrival. Admission tickets can be purchased onsite or online at www.vanaqua.org/visit. For promotion terms and conditions, please visit www.vanaqua.org.
Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium, an Ocean Wise initiative, is one of the world’s leading accredited aquariums, dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org
Social Media: @VanAqua | #VanAqua
Feature image: Vancouver Aquarium
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