China’s aquariums utilise robotic whales to reduce the costs associated with keeping live animals. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
BEIJING (SCMP): An aquarium in southern China has come under scrutiny for showcasing a robotic whale shark instead of a live one, igniting passionate debates around animal welfare and consumer rights.
Videos circulating online depict a life-size robotic whale shark gliding through the waters of Xiaomeisha Sea World in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, following its reopening in October.
The robotic exhibit elicited mixed reactions from visitors. Some were captivated by its innovative design, while others felt deceived. The aquarium charges 230 yuan (US$32) for admission.
Some visitors expressed dissatisfaction and sought compensation on the aquarium’s page on Dazhong Dianping, the restaurant and review service operated by Meituan.
One commenter stated: “I cannot believe the whale shark is fake. It’s outrageous to charge over 200 yuan for a ticket.”
Another visitor threatened to “report the place and have it shut down” due to the counterfeit whale shark.
Conversely, some supported the aquarium’s approach.
Many think that showcasing robotic whale sharks acts as a way to protect this marine life while also fostering ocean education. - Photo: guancha.cn
A self-proclaimed cyberpunk enthusiast remarked on Xiaohongshu: “It’s a wonderful alternative to showcase large marine creatures without imprisoning them in a tank. Rather than obscuring the whale shark’s true identity from visitors, the aquarium should embrace this opportunity to educate the public on the importance of animal protection.”
This is not the first instance of a Chinese aquarium utilising a robotic whale shark in place of a living one.
According to the National Business Daily, a similar robot made its debut at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park in 2022.
Developed through a collaboration between Haichang Ocean Park Holdings Ltd and the 111 Factory under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, the Shanghai robot measures 4.7 metres in length, weighs 430kg, and is designed to emulate the movements of real whale sharks when operated by humans.
Usually kept in a tank and activated only during performances, visitor feedback indicated that the robot’s movements did not closely mimic those of a real whale shark.
Each robotic whale shark comes at a cost of millions of yuan (hundreds of thousands of US dollars), yet this is significantly cheaper than the expenses associated with maintaining live specimens.
The world’s largest fish can cost over 100 million yuan (US$14 million) to keep and care for.
While whale sharks can live between 80 and 130 years in the wild, they often do not survive longer than five years in aquariums, according to Li Jianping, dean of the Academy of Future Ocean at the Ocean University of China.
Although the aquarium may provide optimal water quality and temperature control, the limited space is insufficient for their needs.
A spokesperson from Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park indicated that capturing whale sharks is prohibited in China, as they are classified as a national second-class protected species. Presenting robotic whale sharks serves as a means to both protect this marine life and promote ocean education.
While some visitors at Xiaomeisha Sea World expressed feelings of being “cheated” and even requested refunds, others praised the aquariums for their evolving commitment to animal protection, stating it was acceptable as long as consumers were informed about the robotic shark in advance.
Lawyer Wang Rongmei from Beijing’s Jingsh Law Firm commented that the park does not breach any laws, provided it does not advertise having live whale sharks.
Li from Ocean University expressed optimism for future technological advancements that could enable the robots to move in a more lifelike manner.
“The ideal aquarium should be nature itself,” he concluded. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
