SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Expands Aquatic Family with New Zebra Shark

“Joy” is the Newest Species of Shark at the Family-Friendly Aquarium

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is welcoming its newest species of shark. Joy, a beautiful female zebra shark, recently arrived from the Georgia Aquarium where she hatched from an egg as a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program. This program encourages breeding in aquariums and supports conservation efforts in the wild. Upon arrival, the zebra shark received a detailed health check-up before making her way out into the colorful exhibit.

“In honor of her arrival in 2020, a year synonymous with struggle, we named this lovely zebra shark, Joy,” said General Manager of SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, James Paulding. This year, SEA LIFE Orlando has also adapted its educational offerings to ensure the health and safety of its guests. “We always aim to combine fun and education at SEA LIFE Orlando. This year, we’ve introduced new virtual learning opportunities with our amazing aquarists by simply scanning a QR code.”

Zebra sharks are named for the stripes that line their body, resembling a zebra’s stripes, when they are young. As the shark grows, the stripes break up into spots. Joy is about 3 years-old and hasn’t reached her full size. SEA LIFE Orlando has very specialized care for its sharks. Each shark is trained to come to a target to feed. Their diet is carefully crafted to mimic what they would be eating in the wild. Each shark even gets a specialized vitamin. The zebra shark can live for up to 28 years.

Guests are encouraged to visit https://www.visitsealife.com/orlando/ to purchase tickets at a discounted rate and review safety protocols ahead of their visit.

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About SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
DIVE DEEP! SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers a wave of underwater adventures with sea creatures from around the world. Come face-to-fin with thousands of fish, sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and many more. Prepare for a world of glittering scales, humongous tentacles, and razor-sharp teeth. Get ready to plunge deep into the oceans, explore our 360-degree ocean tunnel, meet our friendly rescue sea turtles, and touch exotic starfish and anemones. You can even jump behind the scenes and see all it takes to keep an aquarium running. For tickets and more information on this amazing sea adventure, go to VisitSeaLife.com/Orlando or follow us on social media @SEALIFEOrlando.

About Merlin Entertainments Limited
Merlin Entertainments Limited is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe’s number one and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates more than 130 attractions, 19 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries across four continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its 67 million guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its 28,000 employees (peak season). See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information and follow on Twitter @MerlinEntsNews.