Campaigners Try To Stop Whale Sharks Being Used In Casino Aquarium

Welfare groups started an online campaign to stop a Singapore casino developer importing whale sharks for an elaborate aquarium.A facebook group called ‘Say NO to Whale Sharks in Captivity’ has been set up and is calling for people to sign an online petition to stop the casino putting whale sharks into captivity.

Resorts World at Sentosa is building a $14bn (£10bn) super-casino, which will house the worlds largest marine park.The oceanarium will hold over 700,000 fish in 20 million gallons (76 million litres) of water, Resorts World at Sentosa said on its website.

But seven animal welfare groups, including the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, believe the facility is not suitable for animals of this size."

No man-made environment, no matter how large, could accommodate the needs of a whale shark," they said in a statement."Whale sharks can dive up to 980 metres (3,234 feet) and migrate over 13,000 kilometres (8,060 miles) and evidence has shown that they fare poorly in captivity."Resorts World at Sentosa has said its casino project is scheduled to open in early 2010.

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