Animal Care

Caring for Marine Life

Here at the Oceanarium, our expert animal care team upholds the highest standards of evidence-based husbandry—anchored in an ethos of respect, understanding, and responsibility.

Five Fundamental Domains of Animal Care

Animal welfare is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our daily care—delivering holistic, science-based support for our marine residents.

Physical health is the cornerstone of our animal welfare approach. Guided by science, dedication, and teamwork, our cross-disciplinary animal care team delivers daily health checks, customised nutrition, and advanced veterinary support. From mobility to medical needs, every detail is closely monitored. Preventive care, diagnostics, and meticulous record-keeping ensure we catch issues early and adapt strategies to support each animal’s resilience and long-term well-being.

We strive to create habitats that not only support physical health but also nurture a rich tapestry of emotional contentment.  To nurture the emotional and mental well-being of our marine residents, our animal care team conducts species-appropriate enrichment, behavioral stimulation, and opportunities for choice and control. Animals are observed daily for signs of stress or disengagement, with care plans adapted based on behavioral data. We use positive reinforcement, dynamic environments, and social support to nurture curiosity, ease stress, and create a life that is mentally rich and fulfilling. 

Nutrition is more than feeding—it’s a science. Our animal care team crafts tailored diets based on species-specific needs, natural feeding behaviours, and life stage. Diets are also adjusted in collaboration with aquatic veterinarians and nutritionists to ensure they are nutritionally balanced to support optimal health and vitality. Regular assessments and detailed tracking ensure every animal thrives. This commitment to nutritional care directly supports long-term health and well-being across our marine family.

Our animal care team designs and maintains aquatic habitats that closely replicate the complexity of each species’ natural ecosystem. Every key parameter—water quality, temperature, lighting, flow, and substrate—is precisely controlled to support biological needs. Habitats are enriched with features that encourage natural behaviours like schooling, burrowing, or hiding. These habitats evolve with seasonal, developmental, and behavioural shifts—ensuring each animal thrives in a safe and secure, yet stimulating, and biologically appropriate space.

Supporting natural behaviours is central to our animal welfare approach. Our animal care team enables our marine residents to express their natural instincts and behaviors through purposefully designed habitats, enrichment, and training. Species-specific needs—such as schooling, territorial displays, courtship, or ambush predation—are encouraged through dynamic environments and stimulating daily routines. Behavioral observations are systematically recorded and used to refine care strategies, ensuring animals can interact with their environment and one another in ways that allow them to flourish and thrive.