Project Concept and Missions

AQUATIS is an exchange platform that promotes the protection of ecosystems and sustainable development. This vision can be seen in all the missions of conservation, research and dissemination of knowledge, in accordance with the frameworks established by :

• the International Council of Museums (ICOM);
• the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA);
• the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA);
• other institutions in line with the values of AQUATIS.

To preserve living collections and promote the conservation of threatened natural environments.

AQUATIS is home to animal and plant species that it has the mission to preserve and make known. By presenting these species, some of which are endangered, to the public, AQUATIS aims to convey a strong message of preservation of fragile natural environments. The presence of living species also enables visitors to understand the complex notion of biodiversity.

Develop expertise in monitoring certain species and participate in research on fresh water and its ecosystems.

AQUATIS' mission is to conduct, in partnership with other research centres, notably EAZA, studies on certain poorly documented animal or plant species.

Disseminate knowledge and participate in education on the environment and sustainable development.

AQUATIS disseminates and promotes the knowledge acquired among the scientific community through its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the organisation of conferences and through its educational activities aimed at groups and schools. It provides a showcase for scientists to promote their research and transmit it in an attractive form to the general public. To this end, it collaborates with research organisations active in the fields of species conservation, the environment, water management and international cooperation.

In addition to disseminating knowledge, AQUATIS positions itself as a true forum for society, a place for exchange and debate, and raises awareness of the issues addressed. To do this, it uses the best techniques for popularising science and spectacular staging.

AQUATIS is home to animal and plant species that it has the mission to conserve, preserve and make known. The species presented allow the development of management and reproduction programmes for species, including those on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Species. The origin of the species and the breeding programmes are studied with the utmost care, taking into consideration the welfare of the animals according to the principles dictated by the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) code of ethics and the Swiss law on animal protection. AQUATIS conducts its activities according to the four axes determined by these international institutions, namely: conservation of wild populations, management of these populations, education and scientific research.

Populations linked to freshwater or in danger of extinction

Plant and animal collections are developed according to the ecosystems represented and the priorities established for conservation and preservation. Along the permanent visitor route, some forty aquariums, aquaterrariums and terrariums present ecosystems of major interest thanks to reconstructed decors.

Populations include many species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and plants. These populations can be closely contemplated by the visitor. They give them access to a remarkable natural heritage as well as the opportunity to observe certain singular animal behaviours.

Small aquariums, known as "observatories", allow smaller species to be presented and focus on certain problems (for example, the invasive crayfish in Lake Geneva).