Atlantis Aquarium, first interactive aquarium in Europe inspired by climate change

• Atlantis Aquarium is the first Indoor Entertainment Center of Parques Reunidos Group meant for educational and environmental leisure, located in S/C Xanadú of Madrid, with the aim of raising awareness among schoolchildren and families in the fight against ocean deterioration.
• Atlantis Aquarium is the first aquarium free of single-use plastic in Spain, which combines 20 marine ecosystems with interactive activities through touchscreens, virtual reality, augmented reality and knowledge challenges.

Madrid, 3rd December 2018. – Atlantis Aquarium, the first interactive Aquarium of Europe, opens its doors in Madrid as an innovative bet through which Parques Reunidos Group brings together technology, education and environmental awareness in a new aquarium concept that is more accessible and closer to the public.

The first Aquarium of Parques Reunidos in an Indoor complex as Xanadú, in Arroyomolinos (Madrid), will pioneer the application of the Community Directive of single-use plastics in Spain, aimed at raising public awareness about a real threat that is seriously affecting marine biodiversity and the whole food chain. In an effort to implement its responsible strategy from its very opening, Atlantis Aquarium will eliminate all 10 single-use plastic products that are most often foun in the sea and at the beach. With this effort, Atlantis Aquarium aims at contributing to the reduction of marine litter.

With an area of more than 6.000 m2 and a capacity of more than 2.300.000 liters of water, Atlantis Aquarium offers the opportunity of learning about marine biodiversity through guided visits to schoolchildren and families, and games and challenges with cutting-edge technology aiming at building a more sustainable planet with simple gestures, through education and learning.

An interactive tour with a message from the future

Atlantis Aquarium invites visitors to immerse themselves in a journey which begins when a meteorite crashes into Madrid. This meteorite carries a message from a future submerged civilization, which warns current humans about the consequences of climate change if no action to avoid it is taken immediately.

From this moment, a journey to the most important aquatic ecosystems of the planet begins. Nearly 10.000 specimens from more than 150 different species inhabit these ecosystems, some as representative as the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), the Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), the grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), or various kinds of tropical fish, corals and jellyfish. Each ecosystem, from the mangroves to coral reefs, going through abyssal depths and finishing in the Antarctica, is complemented with several interactive tests that allow audience to feel the strength of a wave, follow sustainable fishing’s advice or even recycle plastics to avoid the death of marine animals.

Cutting-edge technology, as an optional experience, brings us closer to Virtual Reality in an exciting immersion among sharks while the Augmented Reality transports us only a few centimeters away from some of the most fascinating species of the South Pole. Immersive passages, waves of litter, abyssal fauna’s recreation or interactive screens with challenges about sustainability and conservation of the marine environment will be just some of the activities that Atlantis Aquarium proposes to schoolchildren, families and visitors. At the end of the tour, visitors who have completed all tasks will receive the official certification of Atlantis Ambassador.

As a future member of AIZA (Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Atlantis Aquarium is an educational and awareness-raising leisure center of reference and maintains, within the framework of Parques Reunidos Foundation, diverse collaborations related to the protection of marine biodiversity. These collaborations are accomplished through awareness-raising tasks with entities involved in waste recycling, international organizations for the conservation of marine life, universities, schools and public and private organizations.

About Parques Reunidos and Atlantis Aquarium

Parques Reunidos is one of the world’s leading leisure park operators. The company portfolio comprises more than 60 assets (amusement parks, animal parks, aquatic parks, family entertainment centers and other attractions). Parques Reunidos is present in 14 countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Australia, receiving approximately 20 million visitors per year.

Of the 10 European animal parks, 6 are located in Spain and 3 in Madrid (Atlantis Aquarium, Zoo Aquarium de Madrid, Faunia). Backed by the Group’s long trajectory and experience in caring for endangered species, as well as large terrestrial and marine mammals, Atlantis Aquarium sets off with a professional team specialized in the world of conservation, guaranteeing the highest standards of animal welfare, endorsed by the membership of prestigious international organizations such as WAZA, EAZA, EAAM, EUAC or AIZA.

In addition to the permanent collaboration with educational centers and universities, international conservation and research organizations, public institutions and law enforcement, Atlantis Aquarium appears as an Eco Friendly center in the maintenance and cleaning of its facilities with the use of harmless substances for the environment; is a Plastic Free center, having removed the 10 most polluting single-use plastic product found in seas and beaches; and holds MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) certifications.

Click here to watch Atlantis Aquarium video in English

More information:

María José Luis Communication Department of Atlantis Aquarium
Email: comunicacion.atlantis@atlantisaquarium-madrid.es
S/C. Xanadú, Calle Puerto de Navacerrada, km 23,5. 28939 Arroyomolinos, Madrid
www.atlantisaquarium.es