Isn’t it amazing how a slice of the ocean can be found right here in Hong Kong? I am excited to tell you about Wanda H.K. Aquarium. It is a project by Wanda Group. This group is a Chinese multinational conglomerate. Wanda Group was founded in 1988. It has its headquarters in Beijing.
Wanda Group is involved in many industries. These include construction, entertainment and real estate. It also works in financial services and health care. The Wanda Group is a major player in China.
Now I want to highlight a specific aquarium project. It’s the Wanda Nanchang Aquarium. This aquarium shows the scale and ambition of Wanda Group. Wanda Nanchang Aquarium opened in May 2016. The aquarium is inside a busy shopping mall. There is no sunlight. It is full of noisy crowds and music.
The Wanda Nanchang Aquarium is unique in China. It offers a VIP tour. Visitors pay to go behind the scenes. They get direct contact with the animals. Promotional posters show children close to wild animals. There are no barriers or life jackets. There are no hygiene procedures.
In 2013, the Wanda Group announced it would build the world’s largest aquarium in Nanchang. The Wanda Nanchang Aquarium exhibits over 28000 marine animals. They include 300 distinct species. Whale sharks and dolphins are examples. The total water tank capacity is 17800 tons. The aquarium holds many superlative titles. It has the world’s deepest sea plant water tank. It also has China’s first story-telling performance.
Hanwha Hotels & Resorts consulted on the Wanda Nanchang Aquarium construction. Hanwha Hotels & Resorts is tasked with the overall operation until 2026. This covers the management of the facilities. It includes performances and supplying the marine life. They also manage marketing. Hanwha Hotels & Resorts offers one-stop services. These services cover the entire development cycle. They include planning, design and construction. They supply marine life and opening preparation. They also offer commissioned operation.
In an earlier news release, the whale shark was highlighted as the treasure of the town hall. The tank that displayed the whale shark now holds some other fish species. Luckily, the two whale sharks that were about to be sold to Nanchang Wanda Aquarium got rescued by a local animal protection agency.
However, there are also concerns about animal welfare at aquariums. The Nanchang Wanda Aquarium has faced criticism. The tanks were not in the best condition. Paint was peeling off the tank walls in the dolphin performance hall.
Photographs also showed dolphins huddled together. The water was shallow. In another photo, the tank had been almost completely drained. People were scrubbing algae off the tank floor and walls. This cleaning method is old-fashioned and stressful for the dolphins. Modern facilities use filtration methods instead.
California sea lions were seen doing handstands for food. Visitors were in close contact with the animals without protective gear. This raises ethical questions about forcing animals to perform tricks.
The Wanda Group also has a history in sports. In 2015, Wang Jianlin bought a 20 percent stake in Atlético Madrid. Wanda also became a major sponsor for FIFA international events until 2030.
The Wanda H.K. Aquarium, as part of the Wanda Group, is connected to a global network of entertainment and leisure projects. However, it’s important to consider the ethical implications of aquariums.