Zoomarine highlights AIZA's historic record of over 15 million visitors in 2025

In 2025, the institutions belonging to the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AIZA) surpassed the historic milestone of 15 million visitors in Spain and Portugal, a result that confirms the growing relevance of accredited zoos and aquariums as spaces for environmental education, biodiversity conservation and scientific research in an increasingly urban society.

Released by AIZA, these figures reflect public recognition of a modern zoological institution model based on high standards of animal welfare, scientific rigour and social responsibility, as well as the dedication and commitment of the teams who work daily to bring society closer to nature and promote a more informed and responsible relationship with biodiversity.

Zoomarine Algarve, which is part of the network of institutions that contributed to this collective result, received 627,054 visitors in 2025, reinforcing the national contribution to the global figures now achieved. Since its creation in 1991, Zoomarine has welcomed more than 15.1 million visitors, a consistent track record that has accompanied the evolution of the role of zoological institutions with the public over more than three decades.

The educational component, identified as one of the pillars of this success, is particularly relevant to the work carried out by Zoomarine. Throughout 2025, 21,511 students participated in school visits to the park, taking part in educational programmes that promote direct contact with biodiversity, understanding of conservation challenges and the adoption of more responsible behaviour towards the environment.

This commitment extends throughout the year through the EDUCAR Project, a school outreach initiative carried out between November and May, which brings environmental education directly to schools, including periods when the park is closed. In the 2024/2025 school year, the project involved 8,688 students, 625 teachers and 55 educational establishments, reinforcing the educational mission that AIZA identifies as essential for the future of zoological institutions.

For João Neves, Conservation Director at Zoomarine, “the figures now released by AIZA show that the public recognises the value of modern zoological institutions as spaces for education, science and conservation. This collective recognition reinforces our responsibility to continue to transform each visit into an opportunity for learning and commitment to the protection of biodiversity.”

The record achieved in 2025 reflects a shared success, built on the contribution of each of the institutions that make up AIZA, and confirms the social relevance of a modern, responsible zoo model that is aligned with the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century.

A componente educativa, identificada como um dos pilares estruturantes deste sucesso, assume particular relevância no trabalho desenvolvido pelo Zoomarine. Ao longo de 2025, 21.511 alunos participaram em visitas escolares no parque, integrando programas 2/3 Guia, Albufeira – 12. Jan. 2026 pedagógicos que promovem o contacto direto com a biodiversidade, a compreensão dos desafios da conservação e a adoção de comportamentos mais responsáveis face ao ambiente.

Um compromisso que se estende durante o ano através do Projeto EDUCAR, uma iniciativa de outreach escolar, realizada entre os meses de novembro e maio, que leva a educação ambiental diretamente às escolas, incluindo períodos em que o parque se encontra encerrado. No ano letivo de 2024/2025, o projeto envolveu 8.688 alunos, 625 professores e 55 estabelecimentos de ensino, reforçando a missão educativa que a AIZA identifica como essencial para o futuro das instituições zoológicas.

Para João Neves, Diretor de Conservação do Zoomarine, “os números agora divulgados pela AIZA demonstram que o público reconhece o valor das instituições zoológicas modernas enquanto espaços de educação, ciência e conservação. Este reconhecimento coletivo reforça a responsabilidade de continuarmos a transformar cada visita numa oportunidade de aprendizagem e de compromisso com a proteção da biodiversidade”.

O recorde alcançado em 2025 traduz um sucesso partilhado, construído a partir do contributo de cada uma das instituições que integram a AIZA, e confirma a relevância social de um modelo de zoo moderno, responsável e alinhado com os desafios ambientais e sociais do século XXI.