- Title: AquaRio to open as South America's largest aquarium
- Date: 25th October 2016
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 25, 2016) (REUTERS) SHARK SWIMMING VISITOR TAKING PHOTO OF SHARK SHARK SWIMMING VARIOUS OF RAYS FISH SWIMMING DIVERS JOURNALISTS IN THE TUNNEL OF THE AQUARIUM VISITOR, FLAVIA KOZLOWKI, LOOKING AT FISH (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) VISITOR, FLAVIA KOZLOWKI, SAYING: "We were inside the tunnel, it was like we were diving with fish in the ocean. It is very good, very cool to have it here in Rio, in my city, I will come here a lot." STING RAYS SWIMMING DIVERS VISITOR LOOKING AT FISH INSIDE AQUARIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) AQUARIUM DIRECTOR, MARCELO SZPILMAN, SAYING: "I think Rio de Janeiro deserves an aquarium like this. Beyond this, we have the opportunity to provide research, and equipment for biologists to carry out research." VISITOR LOOKING AT FISH IN AQUARIUM VARIOUS OF FISH CLOSE-UP OF FISH ELECTRIC EEL STING RAYS EXTERIOR OF AQUARIUM WITH LOGO
- Embargoed: 9th November 2016 19:26
- Keywords: aquarium fish Rio de Janeiro Port Zone
- Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Life Sciences,Science
- Reuters ID: LVA00155I8DHF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Rio de Janeiro prepared for the opening of Latin America's largest aquarium, where some 8000 animals representing 350 species will be on display.
The 22,000-metre (72,128-foot) structure of the Aquario Marinho do Rio de Janeiro spans six floors of a former warehouse in the city's recently regenerated port district and will open officially on November 9.
O Recinto Oceanico e de Mergulho, or the Oceanic and Diving Enclosure, will be the largest tank holding up to 3.3 million litres of water and going to a depth of seven meters (23 feet). Members of the public will be able to dive among sharks and get up close to many other species.
"We were inside the tunnel, it was like we were diving with fish in the ocean. It is very good, very cool to have it here in Rio, in my city, I will come here a lot," said visitor, Flavia Kozlowski.
The aquarium directors partnered with the Research Centre of Marine Biology at UFRJ, Rio's federal university. Research will take place on site as well as some captive breeding programs.
Many of the fish at the aquarium will be caught in Rio's polluted Guanabara Bay, quarantined for observation and then moved to their new tanks, with the intention of returning endangered species to Brazilian waters.
"I think Rio de Janeiro deserves an aquarium like this. Beyond this, we have the opportunity to provide research, and equipment for biologists to carry out research," said Aquarium Director, Marcelo Szpilman.
The aquarium has been financed entirely by the private sector, with partner companies and sponsors providing the total $90 million Brazilian reales (29 million U.S. dollars). Visitors will be charged an R$40 ($13) entrance fee. Schools and staff will enter for free. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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