This week, families from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, were invited to enjoy a special morning at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, meeting the OG Mermaid; Pig the dugong and Mermaid Tempest and learning about the greatest legends of the ocean. All courtesy of the Children’s charity, Merlin’s Magic Wand.
On cue, Pig touched his nose to a target and received his favourite beansprouts, in a training session designed to help his team conduct regular health checks. This was followed by a fact-filled, myth-busting dugong talk for the special guests.
Ash Wombey, Aquarist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, said, “Our beloved Pig, is the OG Mermaid! In ancient times, sailors would see beautiful dugong tails swimming in the ocean and, due to too much heat exposure from the sun, believed they were mermaids, or even sirens coming to attack their ships”.
Mermaid Tempest was then invited to meet Pig, who allowed her to give him a back scratch and discover the unexpectedly rough, hairy feel of his skin. She then met with the children, each telling her about their favourite sea creature and selecting a treasure from her enchanted trove.
Mermaid Tempest, said, “Pig is a celebrity in the mermaid community! It was incredible to have an encounter with him today and so special to see the looks on the faces of the children I got to meet from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network”.
The myth-busting kids from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, included one-year-old Aria, three-year-old Toby, seven-year-old Ollie and 10-year-old Benji.
Benji commented, “This was the first time I ever got to see a dugong! It’s pretty good that you have Pig here, because he probably wouldn’t have survived in the wild so it’s good that you’ve been helping him.”
Daily mermaid meet-and-greet, photo opportunities and myth-busting keeper talks will take place during the July school holidays at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s Dugong Island and Shark Valley.
This is all part of the Myths and Legends school holiday activation – which includes an interactive trail of mythical creatures and ocean legends. Children can test their knowledge and uncover the truth about creatures that have captured imaginations throughout history, including sharks, dugongs, stingrays, moray eels and the mighty megalodon.
Guests can also discover a range of other marine and freshwater creatures at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, such as turtles, octopi, little blue penguins and many more.
Myths and Legends interactive trail – Event Details:
What: Myths and Legends at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
When: 1 – 16 July 2023
Mermaid meet-and-greet: Daily, 11am – 12pm
Shark talks: Daily, times TBA
Where: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney
Costs: From $51 per adult and $38 per child (free for under 3)
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