Germany: SEA LIFE Speyer to Open New Coral Reef Themed Area

Following the construction of a new outdoor area for its European pond turtles last year (cf. EAP News from January 15, 2015), the Speyer-based SEA LIFE center operated by Merlin Entertainments today opens a new themed area named “World of Corals”.

As from today, an 11,000-litre aquarium featuring 1,000 corals, one ton of reef stones and more than 300 fish gives visitors fascinating insights into the sensitive ecosystem of a coral reef. Architecturally integrated into the existing ocean basin, the new themed area, which offers a 180-degree panoramic view, also shows the habitats of diverse fish and shark species. Furthermore, several audio stations have been installed in the course of the two-month construction time, inviting visitors to learn about corals, their inhabitants and the submarine world’s balance. An interactive basin offers the possibility to touch tropical sea dwellers such as starfishes or cleaner shrimps. Today, on the new area’s opening day, visitors can look forward to a special highlight: Jürgen Wendel, a coral breeder, will demonstrate how corals are planted. (eap)