Imported at the cost of 1 million yuan (US$120,481) from Johannesburg, the sharks are listed among the most endangered species worldwide. Among them, a 2.98-meter-long creature, weighing 200 kilograms, is the country's biggest shark import.

The fish arrived at the weekend after a tortuous 39-hour flight, some barely able to move due to fatigue, the aquarium revealed.

Officials explained that the sharks were not fed during the journey to prevent plane sickness and other diseases while the current temperature in Shanghai is nearly 10 degrees lower than the animal's preferred climate.

"But they are recovering well and will be unveiled to visitors soon," said Li Chunling, an official with the aquarium.

With the existing three sharks, the aquarium now has 13 of the species, becoming the country's No. 1 sand tiger shark owner, Li said.

Among the total 300-plus species of sharks, the sand tiger sharks - also known as ragged-tooth in South Africa and the gray nurse in Australia -belong to one of the most aggressive families with their catlike eyes and a mouthful of wicked-looking teeth.

Opened in February, the aquarium, located at No. 158 Yincheng Road N. in Pudong's Lujiazui area, is home to more than 10,000 fish belonging to 300 rare species. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

(China Daily November 12, 2002)