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A zoo in Thailand is urging its visitors to behave after a doubling in attendance following the birth of a baby pygmy hippo called Moo Deng


The former chief financial operator of Columbus Zoo has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty for his role in a scheme that saw the illegal misuse of US$2.3m of zoo funds


Travel service provider Trip.com Group has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Merlin Entertainments to attract visitors to marine-focused events and experiences across the Asia region


A Banksy mural that appeared at the London Zoo has been removed to protect the work which put ‘wildlife in the spotlight’


Detroit Zoo, Brookfield Zoo Chicago and Toronto Zoo have all launched new apps this summer, with Attractions.io partnering with Cinchio Solutions to bring its platform to these popular attractions


The son of the former CFO of Columbus Zoo has pleaded guilty for the role he played in a theft scandal that saw the misappropriation of zoo funds between multiple executives to the tune of US$2.3m


Perth Zoo’s new playground has been recognised with an award celebrating Western Australia’s best landscape architecture


Australia’s Perth Zoo has started the next phase of its government-backed AUS$51m expansion with work starting on a new gibbon habitat that will triple the animals’ space while also offering visitors new ways to see them


Costa Rica has shut down its last two state-run zoos more than a decade after enacting a law ordering their closures


Attractions management platform Connect&GO has further expanded its presence in France, after announcing a new partnership that will see French theme park and zoo Le Pal utilise its Konnect platform


French theme park and zoo Le Pal is celebrating the launch of Fjord Explorer - its brand new Water Coaster ride from Mack Rides and BoldMove


Holovis technology has been celebrated at the 30th annual TEA Thea Awards, with SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi claiming one of the prestigious prizes


Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Rising Tides project will see the launch of a new Manatee Rehabilitation Center


SeaWorld Entertainment is soon to be no more, with the company set to change its name to United Parks and Resorts to ‘better reflect’ its collection of parks and experiences in the US and abroad


Malta National Aquarium has opened a brand new attraction from Triotech that blends state-of-the-art technology with special effects to create an exciting and educational underwater experience


Two whale sharks at the Notojima Aquarium in Japan, have died after equipment failures, from the Noto earthquake, caused their environment to degenerate


Melbourne’s Sea Life aquarium has undergone a major transformation, with the Merlin attraction’s Oceanarium undergoing an AU$9m redevelopment to turn it into the bioluminescent Night on the Reef exhibit


Seattle Aquarium is promising comic mischief following the launch of an Animal Crossing exhibit at the popular attraction with the Nintendo partnership running through to the end of the year


Attractions across Florida have made preparations and many have closed following the arrival of Hurricane Idalia and predicted storm surges


The US’s oldest zoo has named Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman as its new president and CEO, with Mogerman set to become the first female in the role in the attraction’s 164-year history


SeaWorld Entertainment has seen a decline in both visitor attendance and revenue in the first half of 2023


French theme park and animal attraction Le Pal is celebrating its 50th year in 2023. Its CEO, Arnaud Bennet speaks to Planet Attractions on half-a-century of one of the country’s most popular offerings


Toronto Zoo is asking visitors to refrain from sharing phone content with gorillas with concerns the practice can lead to anti-social behaviour


Paradise Wildlife Park has welcomed KSI and The Sidemen to the animal attraction for a viral game of hide and seek


Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been cleared by an independent panel of any wrongdoing following the unexpected deaths of four dolphins in its care over the course of the last two years


A new VR cinema attraction that allows guests to observe a family group of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda has opened at Zoo Atlanta


Cairns Aquarium is on the hunt for a new investor, with Colliers appointed to seek expressions of interest for the popular Queensland attraction


SeaWorld and Miral are celebrating the launch of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - the first SeaWorld-branded attraction to open in more than thirty years and the first to open outside the US


A Fjordarium with a literal window to the ocean is at the heart of a proposed development in Oslo, with the plans forming ‘an important part of the regeneration and conservation of the fjords of Norway’


Ahead of the launch of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson has said the company would look at domestic licensing or joint venture projects should the ‘right opportunity’ present itself


Audubon Aquarium will reopen in June following a major renovation project that creates a combined experience with the newly-relocated Audubon Insectarium


Chester Zoo is set to host "Planet Shark: Predator or Prey," a touring exhibition dedicated to sharks. Taking visitors through 310 million years of shark evolution, the immersive experience debuts in May


The sudden death of an eight-year-old dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida has prompted the aquarium to bring in external experts to assess the dolphins’ habitat, vet care and water quality


Immersive attractions developer Miral has confirmed that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open in May


The first phase of construction on a new aquarium and nature conservation campus in Florida is scheduled to begin in October


A recent survey suggesting the public would support the phasing out of large animals in zoos doesn’t ‘seem to relate to the real world’, according to BIAZA


A new partnership between ZooTampa and the Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital will see the development of several new wellbeing-focussed experiences at the zoo


SeaWorld is expanding its network of rescue centres with the launch of Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue - the first such SeaWorld site to open outside of the US


SeaWorld has announced a shakeup of its leadership structure, making eight new appointments as the company seeks to accelerate growth


South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo is looking at changing to a nonprofit operation following a city consultation last month


A new technology from the Industrial Technology Research Institute can display information about different animals inside aquariums by tracking the eye movements of the user


Berlin’s AquaDom aquarium exploded in the early hours of the morning on December 15. It contained a million litres of water and more than 100 different fish species


Convious has signed a multi-year deal with West Midland Safari Park to supply its fully-integrated eCommerce and guest experience platform


Clearwater Marine Aquarium has debuted a new manatee exhibit to inform guests about the threats the species faces as well as the work being carried out by various groups to protect them


Holla at your boy for the zoo work - Paradise Wildlife Park recently turned to professional pool cleaner turned social media influencer Miles Laflin - aka The Pool Guy - to clean the zoo’s animal pools


The attractions community has been sharing stories of the profound impact Queen Elizabeth II had on some of Britain’s most beloved institutions, paying tribute to the monarch following her death, aged 96


The 30-year-old Newport aquarium is also restoring and renovating its indoor exhibits and coffee shop


A change in the law will see private ownership of big cats in the US banned, putting an end to possession of tigers, lions and other big cat species except by qualified entities


Shark Week is back for 2022 and Planet Attractions has taken a deep dive to find a collection of shark-related content that you can take in during the event


The heatwave currently cooking the UK has forced the closure of one of Europe’s most visited zoos


SeaWorld has pledged to ensure the long-term health of the world’s oceans in accordance with the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal 14


The new Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo opened to the public in April. Lauren Heath-Jones paid a visit to The Deep Dark Wood to find out more


Minnesota Zoo has started work on the US$39m redevelopment of its monorail track, which is set to be repurposed into the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop


Visitation and revenue soared for SeaWorld in the first three months of the year, with the most visitors in Q1 since 2013 and record all-time revenue for the period


Two workers who bravely stayed behind to care for the animals at the Feldman Ecopark in Ukraine have been found shot dead with the zoo claiming the keepers were ‘shot by the enemies’


Toronto Zoo is starting to undergo a major transformation. Its CEO Dolf DeJong spoke to Planet Attractions about the ambitious masterplan


Marwell Zoo and Attractions.io have teamed up for the development of a brand new app designed to enhance the visitor’s digital experience


Zoos, animal lovers, and the EAZA are raising funds and shipping supplies to Ukraine; WAZA issues statement in solidarity with the besieged nation


San Diego Zoo has launched one of its most ambitious ever additions, with the brand-new US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp showcasing a number of different ecosystems through a series of immersive experiences


Several zoos in Ukraine are in extreme jeopardy following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country, with EAZA calling for support and issuing a statement calling on Russian forces to ‘respect the peaceful nature’ of zoos


Miami Seaquarium’s new owners will no longer stage orca shows following a new agreement with federal regulators


A combined US$400m investment, Resorts World Sentosa is launching the first phase of its RWS 2.0 expansion plan, with an all-new Minions land at Universal Studios Singapore and the redevelopment of the rebranded and reimagined Singapore Oceanarium


Twycross Zoo is set to launch a new attraction in the spring, with the UK’s first Gruffalo Discovery Land being developed to ‘inspire the next generation of conservationists’


Forming the first phase of a US$70m 20-year project, a new otter habitat at the Santa Ana Zoo will come complete with underwater viewing area and a state-of-the-art life support system to maintain water quality


With so many big things coming in the year ahead, we’ve rounded up all the key events taking place this year. Welcome to your attractions calendar for 2022.


Using breakthrough aquatic life support technology, Monterey Bay Aquarium will soon debut a collection of sea creatures you would normally only be able to see at the very bottom of the ocean


Visitors to SeaWorld’s US parks are being offered a new perspective on animal care, with a brand-new education programme taking them behind the scenes of its animal operations


Two hippos have tested positive for COVID-19 at Antwerp Zoo, with both animals now in quarantine until their symptoms pass


An amputee dolphin who inspired millions and became a Hollywood movie star has died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium


Despite a lack of international visitors and a decline in overall visitor numbers, SeaWorld Entertainment has seen record earnings for its third quarter, marking continued recovery from a COVID-hit 2020 for the operator


Several species have received a double dose of the animal-specific vaccine


The Smithsonian is vaccinating species susceptible to COVID-19 at both its National Zoo in Washington and its Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia


Clearwater Marine Aquarium is making a US$10m investment into an urgently-needed rehabilitation centre for Florida’s manatees


Nine animal attractions across five US states have received a share of a US$3.3m pot created to inspire empathy and conservation action for zoo audiences


ZSL London Zoo will host several family-friendly, Bing-themed activities, free to its visitors throughout the Autumn


The US Justice Department says it will work to ensure that the rescued big cats go to animal preserves where they can be ‘safely maintained rather than exploited’


WAZA CEO Martin Zordan discusses the global disruption caused by COVID-19, the association’s plans during another challenging year and how community has kept the world’s animal attractions going through an unprecedented event


Vietnam’s largest theme park, a game-changing aquarium project and 12,000 hotel rooms are just a few of the features of the new Phu Quoc United Center


SeaWorld veteran Marc Swanson has been named permanent CEO following a year of managing the role on an interim basis


The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus is the latest addition to the zoo’s multi-year masterplan


‘All Together For Animals’ is happening in aid of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ members


The great apes are the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 following a breakout among the gorilla population earlier this year


Zoo Guardians is available now on Android and iOS


In part two of our exclusive interview with the man who advised on Jurassic Park and has his own army of robotic dinosaurs, ‘Dino’ Don Lessem returns to talk everything from the business of dinosaurs to the world-famous Trump Toilet


Following an ITV documentary last year on Merlin’s world-first beluga sanctuary, John and Melanie Bishop are getting ‘hands on’ with the Sea Life Trust as its new patrons


There’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel for attractions in Britain, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson laying out a roadmap to end restrictions in place at varying degrees for most of the last year


Lesley the manatee has finally returned home


Scotland’s animal attractions have been offered some much-needed funding to support animal care and conservation work during the pandemic


After six straight correct predictions, is Nicholas the dolphin the greatest sport pundit in history?


The zoo says it only has enough reserve finances to last another month


Dolphins will not longer feature in the Poseidon Theatre at Parc Asterix with a new attraction to take its place


Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park ordered to surrender tiger and lion cubs, along with their mothers to the federal government.


Comedian Ricky Gervais wants to be fed to the lions when he dies but London Zoo doesn’t seem too keen on the idea...


Friends of the Animals is seeking an injunction against the the Mystic Aquarium, which is trying to import five beluga whales from Canada’s Marineland


Here are the top stories from Planet Attractions since the start of the year


How do you operate a zoo when your customers aren’t allowed to visit? Chester Zoo MD Jamie Christon tells Planet Attractions how the attraction made it through 2020 and what management’s outlook is for 2021


The UK’s only giant pandas might not be able to stay in Scotland, with Edinburgh Zoo facing a £2m deficit


The Gold Coast theme park and animal attraction is bringing back its popular Carnivale festival later this month


The renowned naturalist and documentarian has backed zoos and aquariums for their work in conservation and education


The US$55m Branson aquarium is home to more than 7,500 sea creatures and a 55ft light up octopus called Aquarius


Visitors to the US capital will still be able to enjoy the iconic Chinese bears


The zoo has contacted the Bronx Zoo in New York to learn how to treat the animals


Prof Theo Pagel, president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and director of Germany’s Cologne Zoo, looks back at a year of turmoil for his community, while also looking at the future for visitors, biodiversity, education and animal protection.


From The Simpsons to Black Mirror, we cross the entertainment multiverse to find the very best fictional attractions we wish existed, also offering you a real-world alternative.


Join Rey, a young African penguin, on her adventures, as she gets a private tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.


Who was Ota Benga? How did this happen and why did it take 114 years for the zoo in question to apologise?

Industry insights



The world is on fire, so why should we care about cultural heritage?




Video



WATCH: Universal Creative shares story behind Epic Universe Preview Center

In Depth



Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2024



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Thai zoo urges visitors to behave after baby hippo Moo Deng goes viral


A zoo in Thailand is urging its visitors to behave after a doubling in attendance following the birth of a baby pygmy hippo called Moo Deng

Former Columbus Zoo CFO handed three-year prison sentence in US$2.3m fraud scandal


The former chief financial operator of Columbus Zoo has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty for his role in a scheme that saw the illegal misuse of US$2.3m of zoo funds

Trip.com Group partners with Merlin Entertainments to create aquarium experiences across Asia


Travel service provider Trip.com Group has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Merlin Entertainments to attract visitors to marine-focused events and experiences across the Asia region

London Zoo removes Banksy mural over vandalism fears


A Banksy mural that appeared at the London Zoo has been removed to protect the work which put ‘wildlife in the spotlight’

Three major zoos in North America launch mobile apps powered by Attractions.io


Detroit Zoo, Brookfield Zoo Chicago and Toronto Zoo have all launched new apps this summer, with Attractions.io partnering with Cinchio Solutions to bring its platform to these popular attractions

Son of former Columbus Zoo CFO pleads guilty in US$2.2m corruption scandal


The son of the former CFO of Columbus Zoo has pleaded guilty for the role he played in a theft scandal that saw the misappropriation of zoo funds between multiple executives to the tune of US$2.3m

New playground at Perth Zoo wins landscape architecture award


Perth Zoo’s new playground has been recognised with an award celebrating Western Australia’s best landscape architecture

Perth Zoo masterplan in full swing as work starts on multi-million dollar gibbon habitat


Australia’s Perth Zoo has started the next phase of its government-backed AUS$51m expansion with work starting on a new gibbon habitat that will triple the animals’ space while also offering visitors new ways to see them

Costa Rica closes last state-run zoos following decade long legal battle


Costa Rica has shut down its last two state-run zoos more than a decade after enacting a law ordering their closures

Connect&GO expands presence in France with Le Pal partnership


Attractions management platform Connect&GO has further expanded its presence in France, after announcing a new partnership that will see French theme park and zoo Le Pal utilise its Konnect platform

Le Pal’s €11m Fjord Explorer opens to the public alongside new themed neighbourhood


French theme park and zoo Le Pal is celebrating the launch of Fjord Explorer - its brand new Water Coaster ride from Mack Rides and BoldMove

Holovis technology celebrated as SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi recognised with Thea Award


Holovis technology has been celebrated at the 30th annual TEA Thea Awards, with SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi claiming one of the prestigious prizes

Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces major revitalisation project


Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Rising Tides project will see the launch of a new Manatee Rehabilitation Center

SeaWorld Entertainment rebranded United Parks and Resorts


SeaWorld Entertainment is soon to be no more, with the company set to change its name to United Parks and Resorts to ‘better reflect’ its collection of parks and experiences in the US and abroad

Triotech instals new attraction at Malta National Aquarium


Malta National Aquarium has opened a brand new attraction from Triotech that blends state-of-the-art technology with special effects to create an exciting and educational underwater experience

Whale sharks die at Japanese aquarium following equipment failures caused by Noto earthquake


Two whale sharks at the Notojima Aquarium in Japan, have died after equipment failures, from the Noto earthquake, caused their environment to degenerate

Sea Life Melbourne reopens oceanarium following AU$9m renovation


Melbourne’s Sea Life aquarium has undergone a major transformation, with the Merlin attraction’s Oceanarium undergoing an AU$9m redevelopment to turn it into the bioluminescent Night on the Reef exhibit

Nintendo and Seattle Aquarium partner on Animal Crossing exhibits


Seattle Aquarium is promising comic mischief following the launch of an Animal Crossing exhibit at the popular attraction with the Nintendo partnership running through to the end of the year

Attractions prepare as Hurricane Idalia arrives in Florida


Attractions across Florida have made preparations and many have closed following the arrival of Hurricane Idalia and predicted storm surges

Philadelphia Zoo names Jo-Elle Mogerman as its first-ever female president and CEO


The US’s oldest zoo has named Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman as its new president and CEO, with Mogerman set to become the first female in the role in the attraction’s 164-year history

SeaWorld reports drop in attendance and revenue for Q2 2023


SeaWorld Entertainment has seen a decline in both visitor attendance and revenue in the first half of 2023

Generational development: Arnaud Bennet on 50 years of Le Pal


French theme park and animal attraction Le Pal is celebrating its 50th year in 2023. Its CEO, Arnaud Bennet speaks to Planet Attractions on half-a-century of one of the country’s most popular offerings

Zoo asks visitors to stop showing phone videos to gorilla population


Toronto Zoo is asking visitors to refrain from sharing phone content with gorillas with concerns the practice can lead to anti-social behaviour

WATCH: KSI and The Sidemen play hide and seek inside Paradise Wildlife Park


Paradise Wildlife Park has welcomed KSI and The Sidemen to the animal attraction for a viral game of hide and seek

Clearwater Marine Aquarium not responsible for deaths of four dolphins, say experts


Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been cleared by an independent panel of any wrongdoing following the unexpected deaths of four dolphins in its care over the course of the last two years

Zoo Atlanta’s new Immotion-designed VR attraction transports guests to jungles of Rwanda


A new VR cinema attraction that allows guests to observe a family group of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda has opened at Zoo Atlanta

Cairns Aquarium seeks investors as Colliers launches global search


Cairns Aquarium is on the hunt for a new investor, with Colliers appointed to seek expressions of interest for the popular Queensland attraction

First SeaWorld park to open outside US launches in Abu Dhabi


SeaWorld and Miral are celebrating the launch of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - the first SeaWorld-branded attraction to open in more than thirty years and the first to open outside the US

‘Fjordarium’ the centrepiece of Oslo’s proposed Fornebu Brygge ocean campus project


A Fjordarium with a literal window to the ocean is at the heart of a proposed development in Oslo, with the plans forming ‘an important part of the regeneration and conservation of the fjords of Norway’

SeaWorld could explore domestic licensing ventures, says CEO


Ahead of the launch of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson has said the company would look at domestic licensing or joint venture projects should the ‘right opportunity’ present itself

Reimagined Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium to reopen in June


Audubon Aquarium will reopen in June following a major renovation project that creates a combined experience with the newly-relocated Audubon Insectarium

Planet Shark touring exhibition set to make UK debut at Chester Zoo


Chester Zoo is set to host "Planet Shark: Predator or Prey," a touring exhibition dedicated to sharks. Taking visitors through 310 million years of shark evolution, the immersive experience debuts in May

Dolphin deaths prompt external investigation at Clearwater Marine Aquarium


The sudden death of an eight-year-old dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida has prompted the aquarium to bring in external experts to assess the dolphins’ habitat, vet care and water quality

Miral confirms May opening for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi


Immersive attractions developer Miral has confirmed that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open in May

Work to begin on new multi-million-dollar aquarium in Florida


The first phase of construction on a new aquarium and nature conservation campus in Florida is scheduled to begin in October

BIAZA rejects survey suggesting large animals should be phased out of zoos but agrees more can be done to support animal conservation


A recent survey suggesting the public would support the phasing out of large animals in zoos doesn’t ‘seem to relate to the real world’, according to BIAZA

ZooTampa announces health-focussed partnership with Tampa General Hospital


A new partnership between ZooTampa and the Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital will see the development of several new wellbeing-focussed experiences at the zoo

SeaWorld’s first rescue centre opens outside of US with launch of Abu Dhabi site


SeaWorld is expanding its network of rescue centres with the launch of Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue - the first such SeaWorld site to open outside of the US

SeaWorld makes leadership changes with a number of new roles created to accelerate growth


SeaWorld has announced a shakeup of its leadership structure, making eight new appointments as the company seeks to accelerate growth

Greenville Zoo explores nonprofit model following strategic assessment


South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo is looking at changing to a nonprofit operation following a city consultation last month

Eye-tracking technology can identify different fish in an aquarium and tell the user what they’re looking at


A new technology from the Industrial Technology Research Institute can display information about different animals inside aquariums by tracking the eye movements of the user

World’s largest freestanding aquarium, home to 1,500 fish, explodes


Berlin’s AquaDom aquarium exploded in the early hours of the morning on December 15. It contained a million litres of water and more than 100 different fish species

Convious named tech partner for West Midland Safari Park


Convious has signed a multi-year deal with West Midland Safari Park to supply its fully-integrated eCommerce and guest experience platform

Clearwater Marine Aquarium set to debut new Manatee Springs exhibition


Clearwater Marine Aquarium has debuted a new manatee exhibit to inform guests about the threats the species faces as well as the work being carried out by various groups to protect them

WATCH: Paradise Wildlife Park recruits The Pool Guy to boost social media presence


Holla at your boy for the zoo work - Paradise Wildlife Park recently turned to professional pool cleaner turned social media influencer Miles Laflin - aka The Pool Guy - to clean the zoo’s animal pools

Attractions across the world pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death


The attractions community has been sharing stories of the profound impact Queen Elizabeth II had on some of Britain’s most beloved institutions, paying tribute to the monarch following her death, aged 96

Improvements continue at Oregon’s aquarium with addition of jellyfish exhibit


The 30-year-old Newport aquarium is also restoring and renovating its indoor exhibits and coffee shop

Big Cat Public Safety Act passes the US House of Representatives


A change in the law will see private ownership of big cats in the US banned, putting an end to possession of tigers, lions and other big cat species except by qualified entities

Everything you need to know about Shark Week


Shark Week is back for 2022 and Planet Attractions has taken a deep dive to find a collection of shark-related content that you can take in during the event

UK’s record-breaking heatwave forces closure of Chester Zoo


The heatwave currently cooking the UK has forced the closure of one of Europe’s most visited zoos

SeaWorld commits to world’s oceans with UN Sustainability Development pledge


SeaWorld has pledged to ensure the long-term health of the world’s oceans in accordance with the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal 14

No such thing? Exploring The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo


The new Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo opened to the public in April. Lauren Heath-Jones paid a visit to The Deep Dark Wood to find out more

Rails to trails: Minnesota Zoo announces plan for record-breaking treetop attraction


Minnesota Zoo has started work on the US$39m redevelopment of its monorail track, which is set to be repurposed into the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop

Pandemic resurgence as SeaWorld soars with record results in first quarter


Visitation and revenue soared for SeaWorld in the first three months of the year, with the most visitors in Q1 since 2013 and record all-time revenue for the period

Workers who stayed behind to care for animals in Kharkiv zoo ‘shot dead by Russians’


Two workers who bravely stayed behind to care for the animals at the Feldman Ecopark in Ukraine have been found shot dead with the zoo claiming the keepers were ‘shot by the enemies’

The zoo of the future: Toronto Zoo CEO lays out attraction’s CA$328m masterplan


Toronto Zoo is starting to undergo a major transformation. Its CEO Dolf DeJong spoke to Planet Attractions about the ambitious masterplan

Enhancing the digital experience: Marwell Zoo adopts Attractions.io technology for launch of new app


Marwell Zoo and Attractions.io have teamed up for the development of a brand new app designed to enhance the visitor’s digital experience

Global zoo community rallies to help animal attractions in Ukraine


Zoos, animal lovers, and the EAZA are raising funds and shipping supplies to Ukraine; WAZA issues statement in solidarity with the besieged nation

San Diego Zoo’s US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opens to the public


San Diego Zoo has launched one of its most ambitious ever additions, with the brand-new US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp showcasing a number of different ecosystems through a series of immersive experiences

EAZA calls for support: Ukraine Zoos in extreme jeopardy following Russian invasion


Several zoos in Ukraine are in extreme jeopardy following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country, with EAZA calling for support and issuing a statement calling on Russian forces to ‘respect the peaceful nature’ of zoos

Miami Seaquarium to end shows with 56-year-old orca Lolita following takeover


Miami Seaquarium’s new owners will no longer stage orca shows following a new agreement with federal regulators

Expansion of Universal Studios and reimagined Singapore Oceanarium form first phase of US$400m redevelopment at Resorts World Sentosa


A combined US$400m investment, Resorts World Sentosa is launching the first phase of its RWS 2.0 expansion plan, with an all-new Minions land at Universal Studios Singapore and the redevelopment of the rebranded and reimagined Singapore Oceanarium

The Gruffalo to debut at Twycross Zoo as attraction unveils plans for new themed land


Twycross Zoo is set to launch a new attraction in the spring, with the UK’s first Gruffalo Discovery Land being developed to ‘inspire the next generation of conservationists’

Construction begins on US$6.6m river otter habitat at Santa Ana Zoo


Forming the first phase of a US$70m 20-year project, a new otter habitat at the Santa Ana Zoo will come complete with underwater viewing area and a state-of-the-art life support system to maintain water quality

Attractions Calendar: Your diary dates for 2022


With so many big things coming in the year ahead, we’ve rounded up all the key events taking place this year. Welcome to your attractions calendar for 2022.

Into the Deep: Monterey Bay Aquarium to debut never-before-seen deep-sea creatures in new exhibit


Using breakthrough aquatic life support technology, Monterey Bay Aquarium will soon debut a collection of sea creatures you would normally only be able to see at the very bottom of the ocean

SeaWorld’s new ‘Inside Look’ education programme is offering visitors behind-the-scenes look at its animal care operations


Visitors to SeaWorld’s US parks are being offered a new perspective on animal care, with a brand-new education programme taking them behind the scenes of its animal operations

Belgian Zoo records first positive Covid cases in hippos


Two hippos have tested positive for COVID-19 at Antwerp Zoo, with both animals now in quarantine until their symptoms pass

Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s amputee dolphin Winter dies aged 16


An amputee dolphin who inspired millions and became a Hollywood movie star has died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Record quarter for SeaWorld despite attendance decline on pre-COVID numbers


Despite a lack of international visitors and a decline in overall visitor numbers, SeaWorld Entertainment has seen record earnings for its third quarter, marking continued recovery from a COVID-hit 2020 for the operator

Cincinnati Zoo vaccinates 80 animals against COVID-19


Several species have received a double dose of the animal-specific vaccine

First COVID vaccines administered to at-risk species at The Smithsonian National Zoo as presumptive positive big cats recover


The Smithsonian is vaccinating species susceptible to COVID-19 at both its National Zoo in Washington and its Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia

Former home of famous amputee dolphin Winter to undergo US$10m transformation into manatee rehabilitation centre


Clearwater Marine Aquarium is making a US$10m investment into an urgently-needed rehabilitation centre for Florida’s manatees

Woodland Park Zoo grants US$3.3m to AZA members in order to teach guests empathy for animals and wildlife


Nine animal attractions across five US states have received a share of a US$3.3m pot created to inspire empathy and conservation action for zoo audiences

Bing Bunny heading to London Zoo following Acamar Films partnership


ZSL London Zoo will host several family-friendly, Bing-themed activities, free to its visitors throughout the Autumn

US officials seize nearly 70 big cats from ‘Tiger King’ zoo after alleged animal abuse


The US Justice Department says it will work to ensure that the rescued big cats go to animal preserves where they can be ‘safely maintained rather than exploited’

‘The situation is still very challenging’ - An unprecedented year for WAZA and lessons learned from the pandemic


WAZA CEO Martin Zordan discusses the global disruption caused by COVID-19, the association’s plans during another challenging year and how community has kept the world’s animal attractions going through an unprecedented event

Vietnam’s ‘Sleepless City’ open for business as US$2.8bn mega-development featuring country’s largest theme park opens doors


Vietnam’s largest theme park, a game-changing aquarium project and 12,000 hotel rooms are just a few of the features of the new Phu Quoc United Center

SeaWorld hands Marc Swanson CEO role on permanent basis


SeaWorld veteran Marc Swanson has been named permanent CEO following a year of managing the role on an interim basis

Zoo Knoxville unveils US$18m reptile and amphibian habitat


The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus is the latest addition to the zoo’s multi-year masterplan

AZA to host virtual concert in support of US zoos and aquariums


‘All Together For Animals’ is happening in aid of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ members

San Diego Zoo becomes world’s first zoo to vaccinate great ape population against COVID-19


The great apes are the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19 following a breakout among the gorilla population earlier this year

WATCH: Smithsonian’s National Zoo launches trailer for new mobile game


Zoo Guardians is available now on Android and iOS

Part Two: Meet ‘Dino’ Don Lessem - The business of dinosaurs, the Trump toilet and the future of robotics


In part two of our exclusive interview with the man who advised on Jurassic Park and has his own army of robotic dinosaurs, ‘Dino’ Don Lessem returns to talk everything from the business of dinosaurs to the world-famous Trump Toilet

John and Melanie Bishop named first ever patrons of the Sea Life Trust


Following an ITV documentary last year on Merlin’s world-first beluga sanctuary, John and Melanie Bishop are getting ‘hands on’ with the Sea Life Trust as its new patrons

England’s theme parks, museums and zoos to reopen in April, as Boris Johnson sets out roadmap to end national lockdown


There’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel for attractions in Britain, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson laying out a roadmap to end restrictions in place at varying degrees for most of the last year

SeaWorld releases Lesley the manatee back into the wild


Lesley the manatee has finally returned home

Scottish government provides £2.5m in emergency funding for zoos and aquariums


Scotland’s animal attractions have been offered some much-needed funding to support animal care and conservation work during the pandemic

WATCH: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Dolphin aims to make it six out of six with Super Bowl prediction


After six straight correct predictions, is Nicholas the dolphin the greatest sport pundit in history?

Greece’s only zoo could close as COVID-19 puts major strain on finances


The zoo says it only has enough reserve finances to last another month

After 32 years Park Asterix is closing its Dolphinarium


Dolphins will not longer feature in the Poseidon Theatre at Parc Asterix with a new attraction to take its place

‘Tiger King’ zoo ordered to turn over its lion and tiger cubs, while Joe Exotic does not receive anticipated presidential pardon from Donald Trump


Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park ordered to surrender tiger and lion cubs, along with their mothers to the federal government.

‘He might be a bit gristly’ - London Zoo turns down Ricky Gervais’ request to be ‘fed to the lions’ after his death


Comedian Ricky Gervais wants to be fed to the lions when he dies but London Zoo doesn’t seem too keen on the idea...

Mystic Aquarium beluga import on hold following lawsuit


Friends of the Animals is seeking an injunction against the the Mystic Aquarium, which is trying to import five beluga whales from Canada’s Marineland

In case you missed it: How Chester Zoo is handling the pandemic, Boston Dynamic’s robotic groove and the new player about to enter Brazil’s waterpark market


Here are the top stories from Planet Attractions since the start of the year

Managing a pandemic: How has Chester Zoo handled the Coronavirus crisis?


How do you operate a zoo when your customers aren’t allowed to visit? Chester Zoo MD Jamie Christon tells Planet Attractions how the attraction made it through 2020 and what management’s outlook is for 2021

COVID crisis could force Edinburgh Zoo to give up lucrative pandas


The UK’s only giant pandas might not be able to stay in Scotland, with Edinburgh Zoo facing a £2m deficit

Sea World’s Carnivale set to return in January


The Gold Coast theme park and animal attraction is bringing back its popular Carnivale festival later this month

Sir David Attenborough advocates for zoos and aquariums in battle for species survival


The renowned naturalist and documentarian has backed zoos and aquariums for their work in conservation and education

Eye-catching US$55m aquarium comes to Missouri


The US$55m Branson aquarium is home to more than 7,500 sea creatures and a 55ft light up octopus called Aquarius

Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and new panda cub get three more years at Smithsonian’s National Zoo


Visitors to the US capital will still be able to enjoy the iconic Chinese bears

Four of Barcelona Zoo’s lions test positive for COVID-19


The zoo has contacted the Bronx Zoo in New York to learn how to treat the animals

WAZA president reflects on a year of turmoil for zoos and aquariums


Prof Theo Pagel, president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and director of Germany’s Cologne Zoo, looks back at a year of turmoil for his community, while also looking at the future for visitors, biodiversity, education and animal protection.

Nine fictional attractions we wish existed in real life and one we definitely don’t


From The Simpsons to Black Mirror, we cross the entertainment multiverse to find the very best fictional attractions we wish existed, also offering you a real-world alternative.

WATCH: Inquisitive Monterey Bay Aquarium penguin takes in the visitor experience


Join Rey, a young African penguin, on her adventures, as she gets a private tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Ota Benga: The Congolese teenager caged and put on display in a zoo


Who was Ota Benga? How did this happen and why did it take 114 years for the zoo in question to apologise?



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