Sydney Aquarium Dugongs at Sydney Aquarium?

Ive heard in the grapevine that Sydney Aquarium might be replacing its seals with Dugongs? Anybody able confirm this? I know where they would get the Dugong, Seaworld in Queensland. I just want to know if and when?

 

I dont know anything but i would be suprised if they did. they love saying that they have australias largest natural seal pools and the seals are a big draw card but i guess with GSO at taronga maybe they are looking into something a little more exciting?

how many dugong to sea world have?
would be interested to hear more

 

They only have one male and one female

 

so there not likely to send their only pair to Sydney.

 

Hmmm, well with a species like Dugongs ( like many) they are probably only going to be put on display if for breeding, ( most likely.)

I agree though I think it will be very intruging if they do get Dugongs,

 

I don't understand - what do you mean by this?

 

I might very well be wrong but considering the state the population is inthey most likely only aquire dugongs for breeding or a retirement home,

 

If they are indeed the animals from Sea World, they are both young rehab animals, neither of which are able to be released to the wild. Both are partially hand-raised, and this might have an impact on their natural breeding behaviour.

 

That's a good point if they were most likely hand-raised then breeding might be an issue,

 

The Seal Sanctuary has recently been renovated, and they emptied out an entire underwater tunnel which used to house 'Deep Water Fishes' in order to house the seals, took down the water level dramatically and also added an island in the middle of the exhibit, therefore this exhibit is highly unsuitable for dugongs as it is not deep enough for them to swim adequately.

 

Does Seaworld still have the female?
I understand Piggy the male is going to remain in captivity...

But I thought they were rehabilitating the female for release?
There are not many Dugongs in captivity most of which overseas.

Large studies are being conducted on Australia's Dugong population,
with estimates of around 800-900 within Moreton Bay alone....

 

Thanks for the fact, I didn't realise there were that many,

 

I didn't think there were any dugongs in captivity overseas? They are all manatees as far as I know. Very similar, yet different genus.

 

isnt there 2 in japan?

 

Toba aquarium has them
TOBA AQUARIUM[JAPAN]Introduction of exhibition

As does the Singapore aquarium

 

oh thanks, last time I went to singapore aquarium was 6 years ago and I couldn't remember if they were Dugongs or Manatees

 

I stand corrected - thanks

 

You sure about singapore aquarium? There are at least manatees somewhere in Singapore (as one of their offspring went to portugal), and as far as i know only Toba Aquarium and the one in Australia have dugongs...

 

Worldwide, only five dugongs are held in captivity. Two are the featured attraction of Toba Aquarium in Japan; the third, named Gracie, is at Underwater World, Sentosa Island, Singapore; and the last two are found in Sea World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

This is from wikipedia so it probably has not been updated:
I believe Seaworld only has Piggy the male?
Also didnt a new Seaworld or something in Indonesia have some?

Indigenous Australians are still premitted to hunt them...