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HONG KONG - A RARE Chinese sturgeon given as a gift for the Olympics has died in Hong Kong's Ocean Park after being bitten by barracudas housed in the same aquarium.
The fish, of a species dating back to the dinosaur age 140million years ago, died on Monday just three days after being unveiled for public viewing.
'The marks around the wound are consistent with those produced by barracudas,' the park said.
Chinese sturgeon, which can reach up to 5m in length and weigh up to 500kg, are an endangered species and are classified as protected in China.
There are fewer than 1,000 Chinese sturgeon in existence, making them rarer than pandas, reported The South China Morning Post.
Chinese sturgeon coexist in the wild with barracudas, according to park officials.
Four remaining sturgeon have been removed from the aquarium as a precautionary measure. They will be exhibited again early next month.
The dead Chinese sturgeon was the smallest of five given by China's National Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Association last month as a gift.
They symbolised the five Olympic rings, marking the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
The association said it would send a replacement.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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