Paul Hamilton: the aquarium boss

How did you get to be in charge of an aquarium?

From being five years old, I knew I was going to work with animals. I remember visiting an aquarium in Auckland where I looked into the mouth of a shark, just centimetres in front of me, and was forever obsessed with marine life thereafter.

My tertiary studies in marine science took me to a public aquarium in New Zealand where I got to know the curator. The aquarium hired me the moment I graduated and I spent three years learning the ropes. My learning curve was steep and, after four years, I became a curator at an aquarium in China. This led to nine international aquarium projects including the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. In this line of work you need to have a sound understanding of the life support systems that run the aquariums. Being strong in engineering, science and business is essential.

What animals do you look after?

We work with enormous diversity. Anything from 5m-long crocodiles to penguins to corals. There are more than 300 species in my care.

What does your job entail on a day-to-day basis?

As general manager and curator I get a nice mix between the commercial and scientific elements of the aquarium business. I could be working on budgets in the morning and hand-feeding sharks in the afternoon.

How have King Croc, 40, and his 80-year-old Queen gone down with visitors?

Give us some stats that will amaze us about the aquarium...

There are 10 million litres of water and a 270-degree acrylic tunnel that is 48m long and 11m under the surface. We showcase more than 36 individual aquatic displays, including otters, seals, penguins, crocodiles, giant spider crabs, water rats and many more!

What’s the strangest/funniest thing that’s happened to you?

I invented a new shark cage one night, designed to allow the divers to feed the sharks safely from within. It turns out I miscalculated the bar spaces and when I tested out the cage myself that night, I ended up with all the sharks inside the cage with me. The second version of my design was more effective.

What’s the most rewarding part of the job?

Impressing the public. Bringing nature to the people and changing the negative perception of sharks. I have dived my whole life and have seen it all in the wild – however, 95 per cent of the world’s population has not and the aquarium gives them a moment to connect with what’s underwater. Perhaps then people will be more concerned about this amazing environment.

What animal would you most like to have at the aquarium?

What do you say to animal rights groups who might suggest keeping animals in an aquarium amounts to cruelty?

I am afraid to say, we humans only care about the things that impress us. Without exposure to animals, the majority of the planet’s human population would live with total disregard for nature, and unfortunately species they never knew about would become extinct. Our aquarium animals are ambassadors for their kind, and every visitor takes away a moment that will leave some impression on them. We can only hope it changes human behaviour and our animal friends get a better deal in the wild.