When our new water park, Aquatica San Antonio, opens up this May, one central feature will be a stingray pool. This pool will house many stingrays, but the most numerous will be the Cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), which will number over 100. Of course, cownose rays are not native to San Antonio, but instead can be found along coastlines throughout the Atlantic Ocean (including our coast along the Gulf of Mexico). Our aquarium department has to get all of those stingrays to San Antonio from our sister park, SeaWorld Orlando. How? That’s where an eighteen wheeler, a 3,000 gallon fiberglass transport tub, complete with life support system and some dedicated SeaWorld team members come into play. The rays have to be moved by driving them straight from Florida to San Antonio.
The transport begins with the assembly of SeaWorld’s transport unit, which is loaded on a flat bed semi trailer. The fiberglass aquarium has small porthole windows with covers, to examine the animals inside at every stop. It has tight fitting lids and baffles, which keep all the water in, while also keeping the animals safe from sudden stops and starts. Essential to the whole operation is the life-support system, which has its own diesel generator. The water is constantly filtered and the temperature is controlled by a heating and cooling system. There is even a meter that is constantly checking the oxygen level of the water to ensure a safe, smooth ride for all the rays inside. A dedicated team of aquarists follows behind in another vehicle and makes sure all is well for the stingrays inside at every stop. This way, we can bring all of the fun of wading, feeding and touching beautiful rays to you next spring. We hope to see you there! Stay up-to-date by liking the Aquatica Facebook Page!
