Zoomarine

Zoomarine Rome-Italy

Zoomarine Rome-Italy is a comprehensive zoological park that uniquely combines the elements of an oceanarium, amusement park, and water park. Located in Torvajanica, Pomezia, within the Lazio region southwest of Rome, it was inaugurated in September 2005. The park is recognized for its educational animal demonstrations, featuring marine mammals like dolphins, pinnipeds, and sea lions, as well as aquatic birds such as penguins. Beyond its zoological offerings, Zoomarine provides a significant amusement and water park experience with a total area of 40,000 m2 and 22 distinct attractions.

History and Focus

Initially conceived as a marine leisure park, Zoomarine evolved to incorporate amusement and water park features, drawing inspiration from the concept of American parks like SeaWorld. The park places considerable emphasis on the protection of nature and aims to educate the public on conservation messages. This commitment is underscored by its on-site veterinary clinic and a rehabilitation center dedicated to the care of stranded animals. The construction of the park was funded by 2 million euros from private resources, supported by national banks.

Development and Ownership

Zoomarine experienced significant growth, with attendance tripling in less than three years and visitor numbers increasing from 220,000 to over 700,000 annually, positioning it as the third-largest amusement park in Italy by 2011. The company that originally owned Zoomarine Rome, Mundo Aquático, SA, was founded by Argentinian Pedro Lavia. In 2015, the park was acquired by the Mexican company Dolphin Discovery, and subsequently, The Dolphin Company, the current owner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025 due to financial challenges.