Switzerland: Aquarium Modernization at Zoo Zurich Shows Natural Underwater Worlds

A further step in the direction of species-appropriate keeping in near-natural habitats was recently made by Zoo Zurich with the renovation and modernization of its aquarium facility.

Under the leading theme of “The Grande Bouffe” and after nearly six months of construction works the underwater world shines in new brilliance: on a total area of 550 square meters, the number of existing tanks has been reduced from 22 to eight, now showing entire marine worlds. One of the highlights is the “tide simulating” basin, which even features thunderstorm effects. In total, visitors to the zoo can see more than 70 different fish species.

Furthermore, the renewed aquarium offers several exhibition elements, an interactive aqua lab and a small cinema, showing films about the environment and its continuous threat by humans. With its Royal and Humboldt penguin population inhabiting another indoor enclosure of the aquarium, Zoo Zurich also participates in a breeding programs – one of a total of seven nature conservation projects of the zoo. The renovation and modernization was led by Swiss architectural office L3P Regensberg, the interior design and scenografy by Zurich-based Formwerk company. The total investment of 1.39 million Euros (1.5 million CHF) was financed exclusively by donations.

The redesign is another phase on the way to a nature conservation center. "Our animals and plants are ambassadors for their wild companions. They are intended to sensitize visitors for the concerns of nature conservation and species protection," says Alex Rübel, Director of Zoo Zurich. The next steps in the implementation of the "Master Plan 2030" are the conversion of the African House into an Australia facility (2017/2018) and the construction of the African “Lewa” savanna area (planned for 2020). (eap)