Ocean Park in Hong Kong has seen the opening of a Yangtze River-themed attraction called 'Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium - Yangtze Exploration'.

Following a multi-million dollar renovation at the park which has resulted in the creation of Hong Kong's largest aquarium, the new attraction features a 420,000-litre main tank designed to simulate the Yangtze River habitat, complete with adjustable currents. Residents include 10 Chinese sturgeon - aged from two to 10 - and other freshwater fish species peculiar to both the Yangtze River and Hong Kong itself. Complementing them are a range of education panels, models, videos, multi-media displays and art installations intended to convey conservation messages about the fish themselves and other important freshwater resources.

Visitors travel through four distinct zones at the aquarium - Yangtze River - Trails of Life, where they encounter both fish and tank for the first time; Underwater Journey, a travellator ride through the tank itself; Preserving the Water Resources, a presentation about the conservation of the Chinese sturgeon; and Every Drop Counts, where guests can pledge to support freshwater conservation by making small changes in their daily lives in order to save water. Dr. Allan Zeman, chair of Ocean Park, said: "We at Ocean Park are deeply honoured to be able to play a role in promoting the conservation of Yangtze River and its aquatic wildlife. Furthermore, the conservation of freshwater resources is particularly important because even though over 70 per cent of the Earth is covered by water, only 2.5 per cent is freshwater. We hope that guests will be inspired to take concrete steps in their everyday life to conserve fresh water resources."

Professor Wei Qiwei of the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, a guest at the opening on 17 June, said, "The Yangtze River not only holds an important place in the development of Chinese culture, it is also a highly critical ecosystem - the preservation and protection of which remains a top priority."