30 Fun Facts about SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
- Friday 7th June 2019
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast (formerly Underwater World) is turning 30! For three decades, it’s been a favourite with local families, and those making the easy day trip from Brisbane. Here are 30 fun facts to start the SEA-lebrations!
- Give a ‘big wave’ to our oldest resident, ‘Tsunami,’ the brown Coachwhip Ray. He’s been here since Underwater World opened in 1989!
- Here’s a turtle-y awesome fact – we’ve rehabilitated over 1,000 turtles.
- Over 30 years, we’ve fed our animals approximately 750 tonnes of food.
- In 1991, we opened ‘Seal Stadium,’ so audiences could see our seals up close.
- In 1995, Jackie Chan filmed ‘Police Story 4: First Strike,’ at the Aquarium, but luckily the release of the killer shark was only special effects!
- 1992 saw the commencement of our legendary ‘Sleep Under the Sea’ adventures!
- In 1997 we welcomed ‘Teiko,’ the first endangered Sea Lion born at Underwater World.
- 1997 was also the year we became the first Aquarium in the world to successfully breed Grey Nurse Sharks. With a little intensive care, we hope to breed more Grey Nurses this year.
- The epic ‘Monsters of the Deep’ exhibit in 2006 featured a giant squid, preserved in ice, with an eye as big as a human head!
- In 2008, our seals ‘took the future into their flippers,’ kidnapping 6 people; all part of the show!
- 2008 was the year we auditioned hundreds of kids for a chance to be the voice of a seal on ‘Seal Island.’
- In 2012, our Ocean Tunnel opened, allowing visitors to stroll along the ocean floor.
- 2013 saw Underwater World relaunched as SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium!
- With our new name came 11 new discovery zones, including ‘Jellyfish Kingdom’ and ‘Seahorse Sanctuary.’
- In 2013, we initiated the SEA LIFE Trust charity, to support local environmental projects.
- Our regular beach clean-ups began in 2014; removing tonnes of rubbish from our beautiful Sunshine Coast beaches.
- Watch out for the ‘Acid Frogs!’ In 2015, we helped preserve their natural habitat, adding a mural to illustrate what these gorgeous green creatures look like.
- SEA LIFE Trust Charity has been involved in many exciting conservation projects, such as the ‘Loggerhead Turtle Hatchling Study,’ using satellite trackers.
- In 2014, we launched ‘Merlin’s Magic Wand Children’s Charity,’ gifting 5,000 passes each year to seriously ill, disadvantaged and disabled local kids.
- In 2015, we went digital, with the launch of ‘Octonauts!’ Kids went crazy for the 3D animations, led by swashbuckling ‘Captain Barnacles.’
- In 2015, ‘Merlin’s Magic Wand Children’s Charity’ gave a helping hand to the ‘Sunny Kids’ charity.
- In 2016, SEA LIFE partnered with Disney for the release of ‘Finding Dory,’ with an exhibit that helped ‘tell the story of the sea.’
- Our ‘Ocean Youth Program’ launched in 2017, with monthly workshops to encourage future marine biologists.
- Local teens, Jye and Maggie, became our ‘National Sea Turtle Champions’ in 2017!
- Congrats again to Jye and Maggie, our 2018 ‘International Sea Turtle Champions!’
- 2018 also marks the release of our 1,000th rehabilitated sea turtle!
- Jawsome Sharks are back, with the introduction of three new Grey Nurse Sharks from Manly aquarium.
- In 2019, The Wharf in Mooloolaba relaunches after a $10 million revamp.
- In 2019, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast celebrates 30 incredible years!
- What’s next? Watch this space for details of our exciting new animal exhibit, opening at the end of 2019...