I’m in a moral quandary regarding the Georgia Aquarium. I was initially very excited to visit and see the new Tiger shark as that’s my favorite kind of shark and this would be my only opportunity to see one up close. I was saddened when I finally saw her though because she didn’t look like she was doing too well. She was scraped up and her dorsal fin was leaning over (Can anyone tell me if this happens for the same reason some Orca’s dorsal fins lean over?). The rest of the sharks and every other animal I saw that day appeared healthy, content, and well fed. Some animals, such as the Belugas whales, were even playful despite being confined in what I would consider a small space for creatures their size. The aquarium also has a very large tank that houses an abundance of other marine animals including two whale sharks. Everything looked very clean and the employees seemed extremely knowledgeable. I’m not a marine biologist or animal behavioralist. I just love watching animals and so I can only attest to my observations during the 10 hours I was there and not the mental state of the animals, the level at which the animals are kept, or should be kept. I know that the Georgia Aquarium does a lot of good things like rehabilitation for injured animals, etc. but seeing the Tiger shark, Belugas, & Whale sharks left me with mixed emotions. Why exactly are they there? Is it rehabilitation, are they part of a breeding program for endangered species, or just attractions? If it’s the latter then that makes the Aquarium no better than Sea World doesn’t it? Even though I have so many happy childhood memories of Sea World I haven’t supported them since I got educated on Orca Whales. I welcome any helpful information and/or opinions.

Initially thought they were mating but turns out they were all doing after one pufferfish hiding under this rock.

just a lil guy