SYDNEY’S AQUARIUM

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1927, Page 2

SYDNEY’S AQUARIUM

A DEMAND FOR SHARKS. SYDNEY, March 24. A new attraction for residents of and visitors to Sydney is the reeentl.veonstrueted aquarium at Taronga Park, this city’s famous harbour-side zoo. Even without the aquarium the zoo is a wonderful pleasure resort of both permanent and temporary residents, hut the new feature is expected to enhance its alread yliigli popularity. There have been some interesting stories in regard to this new aquarium. The harbour’s fire-fighting ships, for instance, were employed to pump 70,000 gallons of sea water into the shark tanks. Then there was the shipment of Japanese golden carp, a gift specially made by the Government authorities at Tokio at the request of the Japanese Consul-General at Sydney. When they were put aboard the steamer at Yokohama, these fish numbered 102. When they were landed at Sydney hut 17 remained, despite the most careful attention on the voyage. The fish, created diversion when they were placed in their tank, for the largest of them turned upon a previous inhabitant and badly chewed his tail.

But perhaps most interest has centred on the stocking of the shark tank, Sydney-siders hold the shark in great respect on account of his depredation and’ alarms along our surfing beaches and other swimming resorts. They were keenlv anticipating the time when they can line the sides of the aquarium shark pool and gloat upon the spectacle of their enemy in bondage. The first sharks for the pool were caught by fisherman trawling in the harbour, hut the largest of the half dozen or so they netted was a mere ha by. sonio seven foot long. Svdney wanted something larger than that. It arrived tiiis week when two fisherman hooked a 14ft grey nurse, our most vicious maneater. The monster put up a determined fight. The fisherman played it for over an hour and then the shark becoming exhausted, they towed it behind their launch to Taronga Park. Officials at the zoo were notified, and the shark was landed on a small nearby beat'll. Although exhausted by the long tow. the shark was still very lively A tarpaulin was secured and the task of wrapping the monster in it was no easy one. Eventually this was succcssfuly done, and the shark was placed on the launch and taken to the Taronga Park wharf. With difficulty it was lifted on a lorry and quickly taken to the aquarium shark pool. Although the shark showed the effects of the necessarily rough treatment meted out to it the officials were confident that it would survive, but when they came to inspect their acquisition next morning, it was floating on the top of water, dead. So Sydney is still waiting for its subject of revengeful gloating.