The warm Mediterranean waters off the coast of miniscule Malta are home to a dizzying array of sea creatures that have fascinated Kiri Orme since she was young. As a grown up, the native Maltese has dedicated her life to protecting these vital underwater ecosystems by becoming an aquarist at the Malta National Aquarium. Now she spends her days studying, feeding, and looking after her nation’s most vulnerable underwater residents. No one knows Malta’s land and seas better than Kiri, so we asked her to share her favourite things about this tiny floating republic.
"Malta's aquarium represents the Maltese islands,
that's what's so special about it. You'll see all the different native species that live around here, like undulate rays and scorpionfish. The whole thing is massive – over 20,000 square metres in size. If you want to see them up close, there are loads of wrecks around, which are great for divers and snorkellers – like the P31 petrol boat wreck."
