Dubai's Atlantis hotel urged to free whale shark from aquarium

London, Oct 20 : Environmentalists have called upon the release of the whale shark in Dubai's lavish Atlantis Hotel.

The 13ft whale shark can be seen circling the hotel's aquarium - a tank built to invoke the ruins of Atlantis, the mythical Lost City, reports the Telegraph.

The hotel built on the Palm Jumeirah Island, originally said it had "rescued" the shark, which is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

The animal rights activists have demanded the release of the endangered whale species.

The shark named Sammy was caught off the coast of Dubai six weeks ago.

While the management claims that they had "rescued" an animal, who was in distress, however, former employees have told that capturing a whale shark had always been planned as a tourist attraction.

The hotel has refused to comment on whether Sammy will be released.

The Atlantis was the first to open on The Palm, a man-made island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates that is shaped like a palm tree.

It is believed to be one of the Dubai's most extravagant hotels to date, featuring a water park, aquarium, 1,500 guest rooms and 16 restaurants.

ANI