Media Release Embargoed until 09:00am April 1st, 2015 THE PURR-FECT DAY OUT SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium launches the world’s first cat friendly Aquarium and Kitty Snorkel Experience In the latest phenomenon in the trend of pet hotels, pet insurance, pet passports, doggy day spas and cat cafés; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is opening the world’s first Cat Aquarium and Kitty Snorkel Experience1. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, home to the world’s largest collection of Australian aquatic life, is opening its doors (and even its tanks) to the Australian feline community and their human parents. From today, cats, known for their love of watching fish, will be able to stroll through the exhibits; and for the more adventurous kitten, go furry face-to-fin in our specially designed cat tank. Australia is a nation of animal lovers, with more animals than people; there is an estimated 25 million* pets owned in the country, one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. It is estimated that the pet industry is worth 8 billion dollars*, with Aussies shelling a small fortune on things from grooming to pet hotels. Now Aussie pet owners can add one more experience to their list, with a trip to SEA LIFE Sydney Cat Aquarium and Kitty Snorkel Experience tipped to be the hottest places to be seen for cats in 2015. The Kitty Snorkel Experience has been designed in partnership with Marine Biologists at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Dr Kim Kendall, Sydney’s best loved and one of the world’s most well-known cat specialist. The cat adventure allows our furry friends to indulge their love of being close to fish while being safely separated from the marine life. In a special glass pool within the biggest Great Barrier Reef tank, it is the purr-fect cat-mosphere for them to look and follow the fish while being separated by glass panels. The aquarium has also designed special cat lifejackets to keep the cats warm and safe during their swim. “Until now we’ve had a strict no cat policy, but at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium we love all animals and know cats are incredibly intrigued by fish, and so thought why shouldn’t the feline community get to experience our incredible aquarium? YouTube is full of videos of cats jumping into fish tanks, *According to the Animal Health Alliance’s research paper ‘Pet ownership in Australia 2013 they clearly love the idea of swimming with the fish but once they hit the water they suddenly have a change of heart. So we’ve created the temperature controlled Kitty Snorkel Experience to create the perfect environment for cats to experience their dream of swimming with the fish,” said Steve Hinks, General Manager for SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Dr Kim Kendall, cat expert and vet, believes this forward move by SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a real win for cats and their owners. “For humans, staring at a fish tank can have a relaxing effect and lower blood pressure, but for cats it actually has the opposite effect. Seeing fish swim stimulates cats and can send them into a euphoric trance. I expect demand for the Cat Aquarium and the Kitty Snorkel Experience will be extremely high,” said Dr Kim Kendall. Another cat star at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is Kwazii Kitten, direct from the hit animated TV show The Octonauts. Kwazii Kitten will be one of the hero cast members on show in the all-new Octonauts Zone opening April 3rd. The ultimate Octonauts experience at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium not only features completely new aquatic animals in dynamic state-of-the-art displays, 3D talking Octonauts crew members and activities, but also a never seen before resting area for cats, where they can dry off and relax after their snorkel adventure. The SEA LIFE Sydney Cat Aquarium opens its doors on April 1st and will get cats purring by offering the ultimate cat day. Cats and their owners will be able to wander freely around the aquarium, showcasing over 13,000 ocean stars including dugongs, massive sharks, giant stingrays and hundreds of multi-coloured tropical fish. -ENDS- Notes to editor 1. P.S this is an April Fools joke For more information please contact Laura Cario at [email protected] or on 0414 706832 MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 106 attractions, 11 hotels/3 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and c26,000 employees (peak season). Merlin currently has thirteen attractions in Australia and New Zealand including the stunning Hotham and Falls Creek Alpine Resorts in Victoria; WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island; Madame Tussauds, Sydney; Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures and Otway Fly Treetop Adventures & Zip Line; the Sydney Tower Eye & SKYWALK; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, Queensland; Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium in Auckland - underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information. *According to the Animal Health Alliance’s research paper ‘Pet ownership in Australia 2013 .