Family attraction welcomes fin-tastic new arrivals

A shark at The Bear Grylls Adventure, an indoor and outdoor activity centre, has given birth to pups.

Nova - a Blacktip Reef Shark who has been at the attraction since it first opened back in 2018 - has given birth to three pups - two males and one female - the first pups born at the attraction.

The good news coincides with Shark Awareness Day, making it a perfect way to celebrate the incredible group of animals.

The team have worked closely with Nova from her mating with fellow Blacktip Reef Shark Comet in May 2021, through the 55-week gestation period, and to the birth of the pups.

The process was monitored throughout as part of a larger scientific publication focused on shark breeding.

The Bear Grylls Adventure 's dedicated Aquarist team have continued to monitor the pups through their critical growing stage, with a regular feeding routine, and consistent observations of the trio to ensure they are all eating, growing, and developing safely.

These observations will continue across the next few months, with plans to then transfer the two males to another Merlin Entertainments attraction.

Wibke Jansen, displays & dive manager at The Bear Grylls Adventure, said: “This is an incredible accomplishment for the displays team here at The Bear Grylls Adventure, and I 'm over the moon for Nova and her pups. The whole family are doing really well and will continue to be monitored by our dedicated aquarists. ”

Home to almost 1,000 creatures, including Black Tip Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks and Cownose Rays, The Bear Grylls Adventure 's purpose-built tank allows guests to take the plunge into a new underwater world.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has officially listed Blacktip Reef Sharks as Near Threatened due to overfishing and threats from larger predators, making displays such as the one at The Bear Grylls Adventure increasingly important.

Since their opening in 2018, The Bear Grylls Adventure has worked with The Shark Trust, the leading UK-based shark conservation charity, to raise awareness and contribute to the urgent conservation of global shark populations.

A percentage of each Shark Dive ticket sold at the attraction goes towards the work done by The Shark Trust.

Paul Cox, managing director of The Shark Trust, said: “We know from visitor research at The Bear Grylls Adventure that participants come out of the Shark Dive experience with a renewed appreciation of sharks, and a desire to learn more and get involved with their vital conservation. ”

Bear Grylls said: “We are so proud to partner with the Shark Trust, to highlight the importance of shark conservation, to further education and to allow our visitors to really engage and understand these majestic creatures. ”

Young Blacktip Reef Sharks develop exceptionally quickly, growing by up to nine inches per year during their first two years of life, and gaining weight at a rate of 100 grams per week.

The team at The Bear Grylls Adventure is excited to watch the pups progress over the next few months and is looking forward to continuing their work in raising awareness around conservation.

Just a few minutes ' walk from Birmingham International Train Station, the attraction boasts an array of activities to challenge adventurers of all ages, abilities and experience levels.

More information can be found at beargryllsadventure.com

More information regarding Merlin 's Conservation, Welfare and Engagement programme can be found at www.merlinentertainments.biz/responsible-business/animal-care-and-conservation/sea-life-conservation-welfare-engagement/

For more information about the Shark Trust, visit www.sharktrust.org/