Anglesey Sea Zoo facts for kids
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| Date opened | 1983 |
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| Location | Near Brynsiencyn, Anglesey, Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°09′51″N 4°16′44″W / 53.16417°N 4.27883°W |
| No. of species | 150 |
| Annual visitors | 100,000 |
The Anglesey Sea Zoo (which is Sw Môr Môn in Welsh) is a special aquarium located on the south coast of Anglesey island in North Wales. It's more than just a place to see fish; it's also a centre for research and learning about the ocean.
This zoo is found just outside the village of Brynsiencyn. It proudly says it's the biggest aquarium in Wales. You can see over 150 different types of animals that live in the waters around Wales.
Contents
About the Anglesey Sea Zoo
The Anglesey Sea Zoo first opened its doors in 1983. It started because the owners of a lobster business noticed something interesting. Their lobster tanks, which were just for holding lobsters, became popular attractions on their own! People loved watching the lobsters.
In 2007, new owners took over the zoo. These new owners were scientists who study the environment. They have since started many important research and conservation projects. They also work with local communities to help protect marine life.
Amazing Animals You Can See
The Anglesey Sea Zoo is home to many fascinating sea creatures. You can explore different habitats and see a variety of animals.
- Conger Eels: These are large, snake-like fish that live in rocky areas.
- Shark Pool: Get up close to different types of sharks.
- Kelp Forest: This exhibit shows what a real kelp forest looks like. Kelp is a type of giant seaweed that provides shelter for many animals.
- Lobster Hatchery of Wales: This special area helps baby lobsters grow safely. They are released into the wild when they are big enough.
The zoo also has two kinds of seahorse. One is the short-snouted seahorse, found near the UK and in the Mediterranean Sea. The other is the drab seahorse, which lives in the Red Sea.
Helping Marine Life: Conservation and Rescue
The Anglesey Sea Zoo is very focused on conservation. This means they work hard to protect animals and their habitats. They are involved in programs that help animals breed in captivity. This helps increase the numbers of endangered species.
One of their biggest successes is breeding the native short-snouted seahorse. This is very difficult to do, and the Anglesey Sea Zoo is one of the few places in the world that has managed it.
Since 1995, the zoo has also run a rescue centre. It started when they successfully saved a stranded striped dolphin. Today, the centre helps sick or stranded marine animals. This includes dolphins, whales, porpoises, seals, turtles, and seabirds. The rescue centre is part of a larger network across the British Isles. This network is run by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
Shopping and Food
The aquarium also has a shop and a bistro. They try to sell products that are fair trade and come from local businesses. About 85% of the food served in the bistro is sourced from within 10 miles of the centre.
See also
In Spanish: Zoológico marino de Anglesey para niños
