Bioparque Pantanal: environmental education and accessible tourism at the largest freshwater aquarium on the planet

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities, including deforestation and climate change, threaten ecosystems such as the Cerrado and the Pantanal; therefore, preservation areas are vital for the protection of these biomes. While parks and conservation units play an important role, zoos and aquariums also contribute to education and the conservation of endangered species, in addition to providing learning opportunities that foster connections between visitors and nature. These facilities support biodiversity conservation, social well-being, and environmental awareness. The Bioparque Pantanal (BP), located in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, exemplifies this dual mission by aiming to become a scientific hub while simultaneously promoting environmental education and accessible tourism. In this regard, understanding how environmental education (EE) operates in spaces such as bioparks is crucial for the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Visits to the BP are guided, and EE is implemented through diverse approaches, including “Storytelling,” an activity designed for children and adolescents that seeks to stimulate imagination and raise awareness of environmental preservation. The facility also serves as a site for research on water quality, species conservation, animal behavior, and the reproduction of endangered species.