Japan’s Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has debuted a world-first exhibition, putting an adult great white shark on display.

Adult great whites are very difficult to exhibit at aquariums because of their large size and need to be continuously moving. Workers at the aquarium have had to help guide the animal in the tank so it doesn’t hit the glass walls, but the aquarium says the shark has now settled well after a few days.



The giant predator, measuring 3.5m (11.5ft) in length, was caught near a village in the Okinawa prefecture on 4 January. Great whites have previously gone on display for short periods of time, but the occurrence is rare and has only previously featured juveniles less than 2m (6.5ft) long. The shark is currently the only captive great white on display anywhere in the world.

“Although it’s challenging to transport and keep living great white sharks in aquariums, we have succeeded to display the shark here,” said a statement from the aquarium.

“Great whites represent the most dangerous shark in the world with the most recorded attacks on humans.

“Little is known about the biology of the great white. Now we have succeeded in capturing an adult we hope to learn more about the species in captivity as we monitor and care for the shark.”