Silver Spring, Maryland (December 16, 2022) – Early this morning in Berlin, Germany, an aquarium located in a hotel burst, spilling 264,000 gallons of salt water and its inhabitants into the lobby and onto the street. In response to this incident, Dan Ashe, President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, issued the following statement:
“We are all shocked and saddened by the news of the catastrophic structural failure at AquaDom Aquarium in Berlin’s Radisson Blu hotel. Our hearts go out to the people and aquarium animals who have suffered. And we extend our best wishes to the aquarium staff who must be devastated. Ensuring the safety of animals, staff, and guests is at the core of every modern, accredited zoo and aquarium. As a preeminent accrediting body the Association of Zoos and Aquariums works to ensure that members are continuously planning for the future and prioritizing infrastructure needs that ensure the integrity of our exhibits and the wellbeing of our visitors and animals.”
The AquaDom aquarium is not accredited by AZA.
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.