All Blacktip Reef Sharks Lost at Pittsburgh Zoo

[darylm74]

The Pittsburgh Zoo lost all of its blacktip reef sharks across the weekend. I volunteer at the Pittsburgh zoo as a diver, cleaning the various aquariums and I have been in the tank with these sharks on several occassions. To my understanding someone accidently pumped ozone into the tank. I'm not sure how they made such a mistake but I am going to miss them greatly. I dive primarily for the beauty of underwater life, whether it be a bass, bluegill, shark or tang. My son enjoys the zoo immensely, which is my primary reason for volunteering. I have a salt water aquarium, however when I look at these situations, I am greatly saddened and wonder if we should leave the wildlife where it belongs, in the wild.

 

[WahooWolfe]

Sorry to hear about the loss of these beautiful creatures, particularly when so many get the benefits of seeing them and gaining a better understanding of them.

I would submit that the benefits to many animals such as education of the general public, the appreciation that many gain (you being one of the fortunate ones) for the species, far far and away outweighs the cost to so few such as has happened in this case. How would so many ever be educated or gain such appreciation as in your case without being exposed to the wonder of the sharks? I would venture to guess that many, many people have been "tweaked" to learn more about them.

It's unfortunate that they passed away, but I would suggest that the zoo replace them as soon as possible.

My .02.................

 

[duckster3d]

Really sorry to hear about this.

They have really had some problems with their tanks up there, i remember when I lived up there that they had a big loss of stingrays (I think). and a couple of others with minor kills.

Hopefully they will get replacements. I agree everyone needs to have a chance to see sharks and other sea crithers.

 

[darylm74]

I agree that everyone should get to see these critters, but I guess I just feel guilty when things like this happen. Like I said, I have a salt-water aquarium at home and if one dies it takes awhile to replace them because of the guilty concious thing.

They have had a lot of problems at the zoo in the past and I am not sure why though I have a few ideas (won't go pointing fingers). They lost the one lobster awhile back and they lost dolphins as well. I didn't know they had any issues with the sting rays though so that must of been prior to me moving to Pittsburgh. I thought when they built the new PPG aquarium (after the dolphins died) that things would be much better. I know my son is going to be asking me where the sharks are. Going to be hard to explain.