In brief
Innovative measures taken by the Kaikyokan aquarium in Japan have revealed the emotional needs of marine life, as a sociable sunfish recuperates with cardboard replicas of human faces after facing health issues attributed to loneliness.
In an unexpected turn of events at the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, a sociable sunfish has found comfort among cardboard figures resembling human visitors after the facility closed for renovations. The unusual initiative was deemed necessary as staff realized the fish's declining health was likely linked to loneliness caused by the lack of interaction with visitors, according to a post shared on the aquarium's X account.The sunfish, measuring approximately 80cm in length and weighing nearly 30kg, reportedly began to exhibit distressing behaviors, such as refusing to eat jellyfish and rubbing its body against the tank walls after the aquarium's closure in December. Initially, staff suspected health complications from parasites or digestive issues, but after considering the possible emotional impact of the closure, they proposed the cardboard solution.Following the installation of life-sized cutouts of human faces and uniforms designed to mimic the look of people, staff noticed a significant change in the sunfish’s demeanor. Just one day later, the sunfish appeared more lively, swimming around and even waving its fins joyfully in the tank. The aquarium staff's efforts to address the psychological well-being of their aquatic resident have garnered a wave of support on social media. Many users reminisced about their own experiences with the sunfish, sharing cherished photos and vowing to visit upon the aquarium's reopening.This incident echoes similar creative endeavors by aquariums in Japan to address the challenges faced by their animal inhabitants during the pandemic. In one innovative case, a Tokyo aquarium organized video calls for its eels, aiming to keep them socially stimulated during prolonged periods without human visitors.As animal care facilities continue to explore the significance of social interaction for marine life, the Kaikyokan aquarium’s approach invites deeper conversations about the emotional needs of creatures in captivity.
