VIDEO: Sharks make 1000km journey to the Coast
WATCH: How Sea Life Sunshine Coast transported its newest residents into their new home
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SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast has become the state's only tourist attraction to house Grey Nurse sharks.
A trio of endangered species - Pallas, Huey and Patches - was recently transported more than 1000km from Manly Sea Life Sanctuary to Sea Life Sunshine Coast, and has since settled into the new home swimmingly.
The team at Sea Life Sunshine Coast has extensive experience in breeding and caring for Grey Nurse sharks, and in 1997, the Mooloolaba attraction became one of the first aquariums to breed the species.
To this day, the attraction remains the most successful aquarium in the world for Grey Nurse shark breeding.
After more than six months of planning, the construction of custom shark-friendly stretchers and a specialised mobile aquarium, Pallas, Huey and Patches were individually transported and gradually acclimatised to their new surroundings.
Sea Life Sunshine Coast curator Kate Willson said all three sharks had settled into the attraction well and were happily cruising around their new home.
"It's very rewarding to see how quickly Pallas, Huey and Patches have settled into their new home and we're excited to have them back on Queensland turf," Ms Willson said.
"Once they have had more time to settle, the plan is to introduce them to our breeding program in a bid to help boost population numbers for the endangered species."
Sea Life Sunshine general manager Quinn Clarke said much planning had gone into the transportation of each animal and it was an historic time as they returned home to Queensland.
"Not only is it an exciting time for the attraction with the arrival of our new shark trio, but it's also a very exciting time for the region to have Queensland's only Grey Nurse sharks in the Sunshine Coast," Mr Clarke said.
Having now found their fins with their new home and tank-mates, Pallas, Huey and Patches are ready to make their public debut, and are welcoming locals and visitors to officially meet and greet them.
Open daily from 9am, Sea Life Sunshine Coast promises interactive fun for the whole family and will take explorers - young and old - on a journey of underwater discovery.
Originally published as VIDEO: Sharks make 1000km journey to the Coast
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