45. Other activities There is a manatee exhibition featuring manatees given to the aquarium by the Mexican government and a sea turtle exhibition. A spawning ground dedicated to sea turtles is set up in the exhibition facility. West Indian manatees have also given birth in the facility. Research and conservation At the Churaumi Aquarium, the Okinawa Churashima Foundation supervises conservation activities and conducts animal research. The aquarium has won the breeding award from JAZA for 26 kinds of animals, such as the reef manta ray and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. In particular, it is characterized by the large breeding of large sharks and rays, which are rare in other locations. The Churaumi Aquarium collects blood from wild whale sharks, measures the total length and circumference of the body, collects tissues for DNA analysis and chemical analysis, and observes behavior in the natural sea using electronic labels to obtain important information on the breeding habits and ecology of whale sharks. It also conducts tests for future breeding, such as monitoring the behavior of whale sharks during breeding and the concentration of hormones in the blood obtained by blood sampling. The aquarium is conducting research on the diversity of marine life found around Okinawa, and is engaged in activities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the natural environment. The aquarium is investigating many humpback whales with local people and domestic and foreign researchers. In a joint study with the Philippines in 2021, it was revealed that 43.48% of the humpback whales around the Philippines were the same as the individuals confirmed in Okinawa and were moving between the two waters, revealing the migration route of humpback whales between Okinawa and the Philippines from the previously unknown Russia feeding ground. As a research institute, the public aquarium contributes to the discovery of new species of marine life. New species discovered in the past include Eumunida balteipes, Hexagonaloides bathyalis, and Synactinernus churaumi, a new species of sea anemone that has been studied for over 15 years. Gallery Exterior Aquarium Main tank aquarium Okichan Theater Sea turtle and manatees See also Tropical & Subtropical Arboretum References External links (Japanese) (English) Churaumi Official Fish Encyclopedia(Japanese) Churaumi Official Fish Encyclopedia(English) Ocean Park Homepage in English Bus Timetable from Asahibashi Sta. to the Aquarium Zoos established in 2002 2002 establishments in Japan Aquaria in Japan Articles containing video clips Buildings and structures in Okinawa Prefecture Tourist