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Turtle Ernie: The new star and boss in the Wilhelmshaven shark tank!
At the Wilhelmshaven Aquarium, the green sea turtle Ernie, a 100 kg newcomer, delights visitors and animal keepers.
Turtle Ernie: The new star and boss in the Wilhelmshaven shark tank!
A new star sensation has moved into the Wilhelmshaven Aquarium: the green sea turtle Ernie. With a weight of almost 100 kilograms and a length of around one meter, it established itself in the large shark tank after just a few days. Aquarium director Kai Czepa describes Ernie as the “boss in the ring.” The other residents, including catsharks and blacktip reef sharks, keep a respectful distance from the well-fed newcomer, who previously lived at Sea Life in Scheveningen, Netherlands, before renovations there necessitated a move, according to Borkener Newspaper reports.
The move to Wilhelmshaven is not only important for Ernie himself. The aquarium is using its new resident to raise awareness of the endangerment of sea turtles. This species is one of the endangered species that is endangered by plastic waste, fishing nets and climate change, explains NDR. According to the WWF, there are only seven species of sea turtles in the world, and the green sea turtle is one of the larger representatives, which can live up to 70 years and weigh up to 200 kilograms.
A new home for Ernie
What makes Ernie special is not only her size, but also her preference for food. While broccoli is her favorite food, she is primarily fed lettuce due to the calorie content. Maybe that's exactly what makes them a happy sea creature! In her new home she swims with the sharks and rays without any disputes over food. This speaks for their self-confidence and their successful integration into the aquarium.
Aquarium director Czepa expresses the hope that Ernie will stay for a long time to raise awareness about ocean protection among visitors. Work to redesign the aquarium landscape with a mudflat bottom and stone reef is already underway and should be completed by December, according to the latest information from NDR.
Ernie could act as an ambassador for her species and make a statement against the dangers that threaten numerous sea turtles in the wild. As a crowd favorite, Ernie remains a star not only in the water, but also when it comes to sensitizing younger generations to environmental protection. The aquarium hopes that their visit will inspire many visitors to advocate for the beautiful but endangered sea creatures.
For anyone who wants to learn more about the endangerment of sea turtles, WWF offers comprehensive information and projects dedicated to protecting these fascinating animals. A visit to the Wilhelmshaven Aquarium is not only fun, but also an educational experience for the whole family.