Seahorses globe-trotting way off death row

The large-bellied seahorses will soon be flown to their new home at the Plymouth Aquarium in England.

A group of unique New Zealand-bred seahorses will become jet-setters after being saved from death row and a future as ingredients in traditional medicines.

The 20 large-bellied seahorses were bred at a seahorse farm in Napier which recently closed. The farm planned to euthanase its remaining animal stock for use overseas, as they are sought after by some cultures for their medicinal value.

When staff at the Southern Encounter Aquarium in Christchurch became aware of the seahorses' plight, they made inquiries. The timing was perfect to find a new home for the "endearing" aquatic creatures.

"Due to the British public aquarium newsgroup, to which we subscribe, I was aware that Plymouth Aquarium in the UK wanted a group of large-bellied seahorses," said Southern Encounter operations manager Dave Bradshaw.

"Naturally, we didn't want to see these wonderful animals go to waste so contact was made with Plymouth and the transfer is happening as a result."

The seahorses are currently being kept in the aquarium's quarantine facility, located underneath the attraction in Christchurch's Cathedral Square.

Aquarium staff have obtained the necessary permits and the animals will soon be transferred to their new home. They will be kept in water- and oxygen-filled bags contained within sealed polybins, and will fly to London via Los Angeles.

" We have a good display of seahorses at Southern Encounter so were not in a position to take these animals permanently. This transfer shows how captive-wildlife institutions work together for the preservation of animals worldwide," Mr Bradshaw said.

Large-bellied seahorses are found around New Zealand and South Australia to depths of 100m.

They are the largest seahorse species in the world, growing up to 35cm in length, and can live for up to 10 years.

In all seahorse populations, the male nurtures the eggs in a special pouch and provides the babies with oxygen and nutrients.