Lor a spectacle of nature within the reach of families. This has been the Aquarium of Genoa since 1992, the year of its opening. A record-breaking exhibition structure, which in 27,000 square meters it hosts around 10,000 animals and 200 plant species which, in 30 years, has been visited by something like 33 million people. A special place, where children (and adults no less) can marvel at the wonders of the underwater world. And at the same time also understand the value of aquatic biodiversitydiscovering the factors that threaten it and the actions that can contribute to its protection. Here are 10 good reasons to mark a visit to the Aquarium on the family calendar among the trips to take this winter.
Aquarium of Genoa, 10 reasons + 1 to mark it among the winter “trip ideas”.
1. To verify that yes, sirens exist. Are the Antillean manatees, herbivorous aquatic mammals which, it seems, gave rise to the myth of the mythological figures “half woman and half fish”. Probably due to the breastfeeding methods of females (up to 4 meters in length), very similar to ours. The Genoa Aquarium is the only structure in Italy and one of 10 in Europe to maintain this species, at serious risk of extinction.
2. To discover that the piranha is only bad at the cinema. Equipped with very sharp teeth and a complex auditory system, to sense the presence of prey even in very murky waters, it attacks exclusively to feed itself or to defend its offspring during the reproductive period.
3. To learn that Gentoo penguins also go to kindergarten. A species threatened by habitat destruction, the melting of Antarctic ice, climate change, pollution and the increase in predators introduced by man on some islands, it has a curious way of raising its young. The pair typically lays two eggs, which both parents incubate for about 30 days. They are then reunited in “nurseries” about a month after birth where they continue to be fed at sea by the adults for a variable period of up to 50 days.
Entertainment, conservation and research
4. To find out about the aquarium’s conservation and scientific research projects. Like that of the Sea horses of the “Mar Piccolo di Taranto”, which involves reproduction in a controlled environment in its curatorial tanks. Or that of pond turtle Emys orbicularis, native to Italy and Slovenia, with the Life project of the European Union, coordinated by WWF Italia. What concerns the corals (in total there are over 2700 specimens belonging to 75 different species hosted without any sampling in nature). Or even the European crayfishof the Austropotamobius pallipes species, in decline in the area of the north-western Apennines of Emilia-Romagna and Liguria.
photo Cristina Corti for the Genoa Aquarium
5. To learn the habits of the Ligurians (the dolphins). The Genoa Aquarium and the Genoa Aquarium Foundation have been involved in the project since 2001 Metropolitan Dolphins to study the presence and habits of Ligurian dolphins and their relationships with humans. The project aims to study and protect the Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea.
6. To see what an abandoned plastic bag on the beach can do. Aquarius is “the sea turtle hospital” of the Caretta caretta species since 2009. And among the 150 specimens hospitalized at the facility, several had ingested plastic bags mistaking them for jellyfish (which are part of their diet). The releases of these reptiles, cared for, constitute an important opportunity to disseminate and raise public awareness of the need to protect these species.
Sharks and jellyfish, dolphins and penguins. “Good” and “bad” at the Genoa Aquarium
7. To pass one night with sharksand understand their value for the marine ecosystem. Depicted in cinema as bloodthirsty monsters, these predators at the top of the food chain risk extinction due to anthropogenic activities, such as fishing, pollution and habitat destruction. Hence the international project Life Elife, for the use of low impact fishing gear and the dissemination of good practices. The Nights with the Sharks, scheduled for November 25th and December 9th, are unforgettable experiences for children between 7 and 11 years old: they set up camp beds next to the tanks and wake up with them, and with the Aquarium.
8. To reevaluate even jellyfish. Ephyria, the juvenile stage of jellyfish, have proven to be very sensitive bioindicators, capable of signaling the presence of pollutants or harmful substances in sea water.
9. To discover the “Behind the scenes” of the aquarium with a guided tour. (On weekends and every day during the 7-8 December long weekend and during the Christmas holidays). Or for a one-on-one time with dolphins or penguins. Accompanied by an expert, you participate in some daily activities. By reservation, for small groups.
From the special “zoo” to the experience museum: the Children’s City
10. Because the Aquarium is included in a European network of Aquariums and Zoos which has as its objectives the conservation of species at risk of extinction and the maintenance of high animal management standards. For example, it acquires animals reproduced in aquariums, favoring the internal reproduction of the hosted species.
+ 1 For some “Science snacks” at the City of children and teenagers, the experience museum dedicated to the five senses which you can visit comfortably after the aquarium. Every Saturday and Sunday and every day during the 8th December long weekend and during the Christmas holidays, the experience is enriched by special events. In particular, on Saturday 2 December, the City of Children and Teens will celebrate its 1st birthday with a weekend of special initiatives.
Practical advice
LA visit to the aquarium lasts more or less two and a half hours. Naturally it depends on the time you want to spend in each pool: in fact there is no maximum time limit. The so-called tactile tank, where young visitors can touch the stingrays (in the Biodiversity Pavilion inside the large Blue Ship of the Genoa Aquarium) is for example a stage that tends to last particularly long.
To guarantee entry to the Genoa Aquarium is reservation of date and time slot is mandatory. Reservation that must be made while purchasing the ticket. Another option is to buy the FLEXI ticket valid for one year from the date of purchase, does not require immediate booking and gives the possibility of making a date/time slot change, avoiding the loss of the ticket in the event of inconveniences.
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