The Barcelona Zoo takes another step forward in its transformation into a meeting point for research, conservation, and dissemination of native, Iberian, and Mediterranean fauna, which should position it as a benchmark for biodiversity preservation and dissemination.
This week, work began to demolish the old Aquarama, an installation inaugurated in 1968, and adjacent to what for years was the animal park's dolphinarium and the home of one of the most known and popular animals, the orca Ulises, who in 1994 was transferred to Sea World in San Diego (California).
From its inauguration on Mercè Day in 1968 until 2011, a total of 31 dolphins passed through the Aquarama and the dolphinarium; it was one of the first facilities of its kind in Europe.
The demolition of the space, which will last four months and has a budget of nearly 365,000 euros, will allow the construction of an animal reserve, which should be completed in the summer of 2024.
The new facilities will house species that, temporarily, see their habitat within the Zoo affected as a result of the remodeling plan to which the enclosure will be subjected. The project contemplates an investment of just over 64 million euros until 2031.
For now, the new equipment for the animal reserve is budgeted at 800,000 euros. It is an area of 3,500 square meters and will have five outdoor patios, visible to visitors, and three bedrooms. All these spaces will be properly equipped and can be adapted to the requirements of each species, as well as those of their caregivers, according to the Barcelona City Council, owner of the Zoo.
Designed as a center to ensure animal health and welfare, guaranteeing their needs at all times, the reserve will reproduce different habitats, with rocks, logs, and shaded areas, as well as climate-controlled zones and technical rooms. The surroundings of this future facility will be adapted with vegetation.
Regarding the demolition work, it will be carried out at all times "with the minimum acoustic and environmental impact", thus guaranteeing the well-being of the other animals at the Zoo. As its director, Sito Alarcón, explained, this will be possible thanks to the use of shears that will tear off pieces of concrete, replacing the classic pneumatic demolition machine. "We could have done it faster, but we were concerned that the noise and vibrations could affect the other species," he admitted in statements collected by the ACN agency.
Alarcón also spoke about the dolphinarium, assuring that "it will follow the same steps" as the Aquarama. "Once we have solved the issue of water treatment, we will start working on the demolition project; here, however, we must be more careful because the back part is provisionally used by workers," he added.