Underwaterworld Singapore Sentosa Island Underwater World

Sentosa Island Underwater World describes itself as the largest tropical oceanarium in Asia but somehow I doubt it. It is good though and definitely worth a visit.

 

It is good, went there last week (along with the zoo which is great).
It's good, has sea dragons (possibly 2 species) and a dugong which were both a nice surprise
Also, minor thread hijack but the zoo in Singapore is great! Loved the free range orangs, the doucs and the probiscis monkeys, had an elephant ride and saw a massive wild monitor lizard. Some of it is so out of date though, cat country comes to mind...

 

I'm going on an asia trip in december, when I'm in singapore I'll definately try to go there!

 

Did you get to see the pink dolphins? They're at another part of the island (a penned-off bay). The dolphin show is nothing great but the pink dolphins are a rare sight.

 

wow, pink dolphins. How many of them are there?

 

Yes I saw them and agree with you. Insect/buttefly world as well.

 

6 if i'm not mistaken, including one that was born in the enclosure.

 

cool its nice to hear that they've bred.

 

A little late but during 2014 another Pink dolphin was born :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3WR8oGhEWI

 

What species are they?
I'm assuming they're not Inia geoffrensis, though that's what comes up for 'pink dolphin' in google. I'm guessing they're just a pink mutation a species that is not usually pink (bottlenose?).

 

They're chinensis Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, but the taxonomy of the entire genus is messy and not fully resolved. Their color is rather variable and pinkish isn't unusual.

 

Interesting, thanks.
What (if any) other places keep this species in captivity?

 

Several collections in South East Asia. I'm aware of a few places in Vietnam, Thailand, and I believe they're still kept in Philippines, Indonesia and China.

 

Underwater World will close for good at the end of the month. Its pink dolphins, S.American fur seals and Asian small clawed otters have been moved to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Guangzhou, China. No word yet on where the rest of the collection will go.

 

I wonder why the pink dolphins must have left Sentosa. Afaik they were placed in a special exhibit, away from the Aquarium Building (don't know if that was the case for the seals as well). So why didn't SEA Aquarium took over the pink dolphin habitat? (Just because they already have bottlenosed dolphins?). Also the small clawed otters would have been a nice addition and fit perfectly to the SEA theme.

Beside that: Is the dugong still alive? (And if so: What will happen to them?)

 

Just what I was going to ask too

 

As Chlidonias said, not really a surprise, impossible to compete with SEA. Will be interesting to see what takes its place.

The parent company also owns Underwater World Pattaya in Thailand, so perhaps some of the remaining stock will head there?

Tickets are just $9 per adult (same price as when it opened 25 years ago) for this last month of operations.

 

The dolphins were originally imported from an aquarium in Thailand, and at least 3 were born at UWS. I suspect the dugong died some time ago. As for why the animals went to China, i would think money had a part to play.

 

Underwater World Singapore's famous dugong Gracie died two years ago, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

I wonder why it was kept secret?