New Year… new addition

New Year cheer has started early at the Oceanarium in Bournemouth, as the award-winning attraction celebrates a special new arrival.

Stumpy, one of the largest Southern stingrays at the Oceanarium has become the proud parent of a baby stingray, aptly named Bauble in celebration of the festive season.

Baby Bauble is the latest addition to the ever-growing Oceanarium family tree, which has seen the arrival of giant African land snails and a bristlenose catfish in 2008. Seaponies that the attraction rescued from Heathrow airport in March have also given birth and the epaulette sharks extended their family nine months ago. 

Oliver Buttling, Group Curator of the Oceanarium, Bournemouth, said: “2008 has been an exciting year for the Oceanarium and it’s great to be welcoming in 2009 with another exciting new arrival. Both mother and baby are doing well. While Stumpy remains in the Great Barrier Reef display, Bauble has been moved to our coral nursery where we can easily monitor her progress.”