The institutions integrated into the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AIZA) surpassed, in 2025, the historic mark of 15 million visitors in Spain and Portugal, a result that, according to Zoomarine, confirms the growing relevance of accredited zoos and aquariums as spaces for environmental education, biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
According to data released by AIZA, these numbers reflect public recognition of a model of a modern zoological institution, based on high standards of animal welfare, scientific rigor and social responsibility, as well as the commitment of the teams that work daily to bring society closer to nature and promote a more informed relationship with biodiversity.
Zoomarine Algarve, which is part of the network of institutions that contributed to this collective result, received a total of 627,054 visitors in 2025, reinforcing the national contribution to the global numbers now achieved. Since its creation in 1991, the park has welcomed more than 15.1 million visitors, following, over more than three decades, the evolution of the role of zoological institutions among the public.
Environmental education as a pillar of success
The educational component plays a central role in this journey, being identified as one of the structuring pillars of the success achieved. Throughout 2025, 21,511 students participated in school visits to Zoomarine, participating in educational programs aimed at direct contact with biodiversity, understanding conservation challenges and promoting environmentally responsible behavior.
This commitment continues throughout the year through the EDUCAR Project, a school outreach initiative that runs between November and May and takes environmental education directly to schools, including periods when the park is closed. In the 2024/2025 academic year, the project involved 8,688 students, 625 teachers and 55 educational establishments, reinforcing the educational mission highlighted by AIZA as essential for the future of zoological institutions.
Public recognition reinforces the responsibility of institutions
For João Neves, Director of Conservation at Zoomarine, “the numbers now released by AIZA demonstrate that the public recognizes the value of modern zoological institutions as spaces for education, science and conservation. This collective recognition reinforces the responsibility of continuing to transform each visit into an opportunity for learning and commitment to the protection of biodiversity.”
The record achieved in 2025 reflects, according to , a shared success, built on the contribution of all the institutions that make up AIZA, confirming the social relevance of a modern zoo model, responsible and aligned with the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century.
Also read:
