The Great Lakes are known for a lot of aquatic life, but one thing you are not going to see much of are Nurse, Blacknose or Bonnethead sharks! Well today in Auburn Hills, the Detroit region had a total of seven new shark residents move in.
Why are the sharks here? On January 29, there’s a new aquarium opening to the public at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills called SEA LIFE Michigan. It’s 35,000 square feet with 22 tanks featuring everything from the sharks loaded today to crabs you can pick up (without getting nipped) in an interactive exhibit as well as octopi, jellyfish, rays and seahorses.
There also will be a 180-degree ocean tunnel as well as plenty of other attractions.
Operated by U.K.-based Merlin Entertainments, SEA LIFE Michigan when it opens will be the 7th SEA LIFE center in the U.S. and the 42nd in the world.
Our photographer Nick Hagen was on the scene today when the sharks were loaded into their tanks.
Click the right arrow below and let’s check them out!
Delivering the sharks
“Great care is taken in transporting the SEA LIFE animals,” said Curator Lucy Handel. “There is a trained crew of three in the truck checking water parameters at regular intervals, looking at ammonia levels, oxygen, temperature and pH.”
The sharks are gently lowered into the water
Releasing the sharks from the holding tank into the main exhibition
Emily Valdes-Fauli, 8 years old (right), was selected to be part of the Young Environmentalists who were invited to the shark unveiling.
The sharks swimming around the enclosure
These shots are from above, when the aquarium is open to the public, you will be able to walk through that tunnel below!
Cownose rays swim along
Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
If you’d like to get in on seeing these sharks for yourself, pre-sale entry is $17.50 and tickets can be found online here.
