Sand tiger Howard dies after almost 30 years at NMA — SkimNews
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- Howard was put to sleep by National Marine Aquarium staff after they noticed changes in her behaviour and condition and she did not respond to medical intervention.
- Howard had lived at the National Marine Aquarium since it opened almost 30 years earlier, and staff believed she was almost 30 years old.
- Howard began in the Great Barrier Reef habitat, later moved to the Atlantic Ocean habitat and grew to 9ft (2.7m) long.
- National Marine Aquarium staff called Howard an “incredible ambassador” who helped dispel many myths around the critically endangered species.
- Ushaka and Mandela can still be seen in the National Marine Aquarium’s Atlantic Ocean habitat, according to staff.
Why it matters: Aquarium visitors can no longer see Howard, the 9ft (2.7m) shark that spent nearly 30 years at the National Marine Aquarium as an ambassador for a critically endangered species. But sand tigers remain visible: staff say Ushaka and Mandela can still be seen in the Atlantic Ocean habitat, so Howard’s death changes the cast without ending the encounter.
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