IWAKI, Fukushima Prefecture--Aquamarine Fukushima, an aquarium in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, reopened July 15, four months after damage from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami forced it to close its doors.
IWAKI, Fukushima Prefecture--Aquamarine Fukushima, an aquarium in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, reopened July 15, four months after damage from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami forced it to close its doors.
The aquarium lost power when it was inundated by the tsunami, which halted oxygenation of tanks, killing about 200,000 fish and shellfish. Many of the surviving marine animals and fish were evacuated to aquariums and other facilities across Japan.
To prepare for the reopening, the aquarium retrieved its evacuated animals, including its 12-year-old walruses, female Miru and male Go. Both were kept at Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture.
Kurara, a 6-year-old spotted seal, gave birth to a cub during the evacuation April 7. She returned home with her baby June 27, while the aquarium was still under reconstruction.
Seventeen aquariums and zoos across Japan donated fish for the reopening, including chum salmon from the Teradomari Aquarium in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture.
The gifts are part of an approximately 20,000-strong collection of about 300 fish and marine animal species now housed at the aquarium.
The reopening ceremony was held on a stage dubbed "Gareki-za," made of asphalt rubble collected from the aquarium.
"We would like to express our gratitude for the assistance from aquariums and zoos all over Japan which has allowed us to reopen," director Yoshitaka Abe said. It was also announced that Kurara's male baby seal would be named Kibo (Hope).