The head of the Chinese delegation, which had arrived in Vladivostok to participate in the 9th Eastern Economic Forum, visited the Dolphinarium and the exhibits of the Primorsky Aquarium. Olga Shevchenko, Director of the Primorsky Aquarium, and Irog Dolmatov, Director of the A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (NSCMB FEB RAS), welcomed the guest of honor and took him to the tour of the Aquarium.
While watching the demonstration of marine mammals’ skills, Mr Han Zheng appreciated the professionalism of the trainers and stated that the animals were in good overall condition.
“Our guest particularly enjoyed the beluga whales’ presentation. Mr Zheng asked us about the welfare of the marine mammals and the health of the trainers, because the water was as cool as 18 °C in the display pool,” told us Director of the Primorsky Aquarium Olga Shevchenko. “I reassured him by saying that the trainers spend limited time in the water, whereas it is home for the animals and the temperature there is optimal for their well-being.”
Chinese Vice President attended the exhibits showcasing the aquatic inhabitants of the Russian Far East seas and freshwater bodies.
He also had a look at the Polar World Exhibit featuring Humboldt penguins Spheniscus humboldti. This species is classified by the IUCN Red Data Book as Vulnerable, and the Primorsky Aquarium is the only institution in Russia that determines the sex of these penguins by the DNA-based molecular method. As Olga Shevchenko mentioned, the keepers try to take into account all the penguins’ behavioral and physiological needs and the birds regularly breed. Since 2018, 45 chicks have been born at the Aquarium.
At the Bering and Okhotsk Seas Exhibit, Mr Zheng took a lively interest in the rich biological resources of these areas: various fish species, king and horsehair crabs.
Director of the Primorsky Aquarium gave Vice President a general account of the educational projects run by the institution. Within just one year, 2023, about 10 thousand people got involved in these projects.
After the tour, Mr Han Zheng thanked the Aquarium’s administration. He recognized excellent performance of the institution and its significance for the region and for the country. He also said he has high hopes for the increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Primorsky Aquarium.
The 9th Eastern Economic Forum took place in Vladivostok on September 3-6, 2024. Over 6000 people from 76 countries participated in this international event.