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Giant clam
case is shut
Waikiki Aquarium staff members
will check for disease
Seven rare giant clams that were stolen from the Waikiki Aquarium turned up in a theater at the aquarium last weekend, director Andrew Rossiter said.
A staff member, who was making a security check of the grounds on Saturday afternoon, found the clams in a Tupperware container filled with salt water. The container was inside a white shopping bag in a corner of the theater.
Staff members are checking the clams for disease before they are reintroduced to the exhibit with other clams. Rossiter said yesterday that they are concerned about the clams' condition because they were found in cold salt water and left in the theater that is air-conditioned. These animals normally live in warm tropical waters, he said.
Staff members conduct security checks every two hours. Rossiter estimated that the clams were left in the theater for an hour before they were found.
"I'm really happy that they're back, and I'd like to thank the media for the exposure that they gave to this serious matter," said Rossiter.
The Waikiki Aquarium received many phone calls and e-mails from concerned residents as well as people from Australia and Europe after news of the theft was released.
The clams were bred in captivity in Palau, Fiji and the Marshall Islands.
They were among 44 clams that were displayed in a new exhibit on March 19. Staff members reported the clams missing on April 2.
Rossiter said the aquarium plans to boost security for the exhibit before the clams are displayed again. The increased security, estimated to cost between $5,000 and $7,000, will include a new fence, extension of a concrete path and motion detectors.
"That is going to put a big dent in our budget. We don't want a repeat of this incident," he added.
Rossiter said the aquarium hopes to have the clams exhibit reopened in a month.
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