Meet the New Shark Pups! - Maui Ocean Center

Park Hours
9 AM - 5 PM

Park Hours 9 AM - 5 PM

Meet the New Shark Pups!

October 26, 2017

THREE GREY REEF SHARK PUPS BORN AT MAUI OCEAN CENTER

In the early morning of September 6th, 2017, a female grey reef shark gave birth to three healthy shark pups in Maui Ocean Center’s Open Ocean exhibit. The pups were recently cleared from their quarantine period and are now on exhibit in the Nursery Bay.

The two female shark pups and single male pup measured 29-30 inches in length, exceeding the average pup length of 24 inches. Shark births aren’t uncommon at Maui Ocean Center. In fact, the last grey reef shark birth took place in September 2016 resulting in three pups as well.

Serving as ambassadors of their species, the presence of young sharks plays a significant role in the Aquarium’s educational presentations and tours that teach guests about shark anatomy, behavior, role in Hawaiian culture, and the challenges they face in the wild.

Prior to their transfer to Nursery Bay, the Aquarium’s outdoor exhibit that temporarily houses young sharks and rays, the pups were joined by Aquarium staff for a blessing by Ko’i Lum, Maui Ocean Center’s Cultural Practitioner. Under the guidance of Kahu Dane Maxwell, all sharks and rays that enter and leave Maui Ocean Center are given a traditional blessing.

 

The three pups will reside in Nursery Bay for a period of time before their eventual release to the ocean. Serving as ambassadors of their species, the presence of young sharks plays a significant role in the Aquarium’s educational presentations and tours that teach guests about shark anatomy, behavior, role in Hawaiian culture, and the challenges they face in the wild. The grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is one of five reef shark species currently listed as Near-Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

 

The mother grey reef shark is also in good health and is currently in the Open Ocean exhibit joined by five other shark species. Grey reef sharks typically copulate every other year with a gestation period of 9-14 months, giving birth to an average range of 1-6 pups. In addition to grey reef sharks, Maui Ocean Center staff have witnessed multiple births in the Open Ocean exhibit including whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and sandbar sharks.

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things to do at the Maui Ocean Center​

Living Reef

How many corals can you count? Our Living Reef showcases 40 unique and rare species of Hawaiian corals, ranging from shallow to deep-sea ecosystems.

Kaho‘olawe: History and Healing

Discover a sacred and storied island, a powerful testament to the human capacity for destruction and regeneration.

Hawaiians and the Sea

Celebrate the culture and traditions of the first Hawaiians.

Turtle Lagoon

Say aloha to the honu, our charismatic Hawaiian green sea turtles!

Humpbacks of Hawaiʻi Exhibit & Sphere

Explore the realm of the whales in our virtual sphere experience.

Open Ocean

Take a stroll through the 35-foot long acrylic tunnel as sharks soar above your head. Watch elegant stingrays turn backflips in our 750,000-gallon Open Ocean tank—a slice of the pelagic sea.