Tourists In China Demand Refund After Discovering Robotic Whale Shark In Aquarium
They were "catfished", I guess.
By Celine Low — 21 Oct 2024, 12:19 PM
Visitors were shocked when they discovered that the star attraction at Xiaomeisha Ocean World, the whale shark, wasn't quite what they expected
Xiaomeisha Ocean World, the largest aquarium in Shenzhen, China, opened its doors on 1 October, boasting an impressive "whale shark tank". The aquarium attracted about 100,000 visitors, who paid nearly 300 yuan (approximately RM182) to see the sea creature.
However, the aquarium failed to mention a crucial detail about the "animal", which angered many visitors. Instead of a majestic live whale shark gliding through the water, visitors were greeted by a robotic imposter.
With adult tickets priced at 240 yuan (approximately RM147) and children's tickets at 150 yuan (approximately RM92), visitors were understandably upset at the absence of an actual whale shark in the enclosure
The mechanical shark, while undoubtedly a feat of engineering, moved quite unnaturally. If not for its square-shaped head, the various parts connecting to the body easily revealed that the sea creature was definitely not real.
Besides the mechanical imposter, the venue was criticised for being too cramped. Visitors reportedly began shouting, "Refund the tickets!" at the venue.
In response to the controversy, the aquarium said the use of the robo-shark was not meant to deceive visitors but to adhere to laws banning the trading of live whale sharks
To allow tourists to watch the marine creature up close, the aquarium decided to make a significant investment made in the high-tech replica, which cost millions of yuan.
However, netizens were still dissatisfied with this explanation
Some visitors criticised the oceanarium for charging high ticket prices while failing to provide the expected viewing experience.
"It's okay to see a mechanical fish in the oceanarium for free. But two or three hundred yuan to see this thing? Wouldn't it be better to go to the Science and Technology Museum?" a netizen on Douyin commented.
"If it's really for the love of animals, then besides whale sharks, polar bears, and sharks shouldn't be kept in captivity," one Xiaohongshu user said. "If you can't afford it or if whale sharks are not allowed to be traded, just be truthful. Don't make the ticket prices so expensive because the mechanical creature is not worth the price at all."
