It was May 2011 when the government of Mato Grosso do Sul announced plans to build the largest freshwater aquarium in the world, formerly known as the Pantanal Aquarium. Almost 11 years later, this Monday (28), the imposing work will finally be inaugurated, renamed Bioparque Pantanal.
The opening to the general public, however, will take longer and will only take place on May 1st. The years were marked by an operation by the Federal Public Ministry that pointed out irregularities in the delayed construction, allegations of corruption involving former governor André Puccinelli (MDB), under which the work was launched and began, and a price final bid much higher than the initial bid. In addition, the animals spent years in temporary aquariums, under the care of research teams who were looking for the correct adaptation of the animals. Some are even threatened with extinction.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon