Basel voters pour cold water over plans for zoo aquarium
The planned large-scale aquarium remains a fantasy for the time being.
Zoo Basel
Voters in Basel have rejected a controversial project to build a giant aquarium complex for the local zoo – the largest attraction of its kind in land-locked Switzerland.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
Nearly 55% of voters came out against an amendment to the cantonal building regulations, according to a statement by the Basel City’s chancelleryExternal link on Sunday.
Environmentalists and animal rights groups argued such an ‘Oceanium’ was not sustainable. They challenged a decision last October by the parliament of canton Basel City to a referendum.
However, Zoo Basel said the project would contribute to nature conservation and environmental education.
It had hoped the planned aquarium would attract some 700,000 additional visitors a year. The new buildings were to house several thousand animals from all climates in about 40 aquariums, including an eight-metre-high single aquarium. This would have been home to sharks, rays, penguins, corals and deep-sea dwellers, living in tidal zones.
Plans for the complex were launched ten years ago and were part of a major expansion of the zoo. The costs of CHF100 million ($100 million) for the large-scale aquarium were to be covered from private donations.
The Basel Zoological GardenExternal link is Switzerland’s oldest and largest zoo by number of animals and attracted about 930,000 visitors last year. It is a major tourist attraction and one of two major zoos in Switzerland.
More
More
Voters to decide fate of giant Basel aquarium
This content was published on
Opponents of the CHF100 million Ozeanium project say it is unsustainable.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss architects go wild over zoo design
This content was published on
Markus Schietsch clearly remembers his first encounter with a wild bull elephant. He was in the back of an open pickup truck when the elephant repeatedly mock charged the vehicle in the Kaeng Krachan national park in Thailand. The adrenalin-packed experience was courtesy of a study trip organised by the Zurich zoo, as the Zurich…
Basel to vote on referendum over CHF100 million aquarium
This content was published on
Opponents have succeeding in forcing a referendum on the opening of an ‘Ozeanium’ showcasing marine and freshwater creatures from around the world.
This content was published on
Basel Zoo – known affectionately to locals as the “Zolli” – is looking to expand further into the city, by building what it calls an Ozeanium in an area of town which is ripe for renovation. While such centres can be found in a number of countries, they are generally on the coast. There is…
This content was published on
All three names have a connection with Sri Lanka, home of one of the calf’s grandmothers. Ruwani means “like a precious stone, highly valuable”. In a separate poll, almost two-thirds of swissinfo.ch readers went for Rishu. What do you think? Let us know.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.