ThoseAnimal refuge
A petition is launched to defend the project of the new bioparc in Belle-Idée
The petition “Save the bioparc now!” Short until October to be given to the successor of Antonio Hodgers to the Council of State.
On its new site in Belle-Idée, the bioparc plans to build two domes, a sort of tropical greenhouses, to accommodate exotic species.
dr
The friends of the Bioparc of Geneva launch a Petition of support to the project to extend the animal refuge on the Belle-Idée site. Filed with the authorities after having been the subject of an entire administrative approach since 2022, The project is called into question by these same authorities, judging the luxurious project.
“The biodome is particularly targeted and we are asked to review everything down,” said a statement released on Friday. “We ask the cantonal authorities to grant authorization to build the project as it corresponds to the needs of the new bioparc” concludes the text.
The petition runs until October 2025, when it will arrive on the office of the successor of the State Councilor Antonio Hodgers, resigningwho followed the file.
“The biodôme and its as external and interior development come from a advanced reflection carried out for two years”, adds the association which underlines “public success, the awareness necessary for the planetary collapse of biodiversity, the educational animations and research carried out within it”.
“The project on private funds does not cost the state”
“I do not understand the sudden reversal of the state, which refuses our enlargement project, which we have been working with it since 2019”, reacts Christina MeissnerPresident of the Foundation Council, contacted by “La Tribune de Genève”. “He was presented by him at a press conference on February 19, 2023 as part of the Masterplan of Belle-Idée with our tropical illustration biole. I understand it all the less since the financing of 150 to 200 million francs is entirely private and does not cost the state. The plans were filed with the prior authorization to build building in April in The Cantonal Building Office and put into consultations in the services concerned. It is a return of the services we expected ”.
“Instead, we received, on June 24, a letter from the State Councilor accusing us an ostentatious and luxurious side of the project, the restaurant or the seminar room,” says the representative of the Foundation. “However, the opportunities have not failed since 2019 to discuss it. We are now asked to return to the concept of small animal park of origins. ”
An extension that meets the success and needs of the refuge
“The number of abandoned parrots has exploded” among exotic animals often bought on the Internet.
Steeve Iuncker Gomez
“It is to ignore the success of the bioparc which receives 100,000 visitors per year, the fact that the number of exotic animals that must be collected has been multiplied by two in two years while bioparc is the only structure capable of collecting them in Romandie. Finally, the National Fund has just assigned 800,000 francs to the project of scientific studies that we are carrying out with the University of Geneva and our project is part of the Cantonal action plan for biodiversity.»
“Since 2019, we ask that a new site be found for the bioparc which has become too small and dilapidated for animals as for trainers and visitors. This extension, which incorporates better reception from the public, was not possible on adjoining land in the agricultural area. A multisite and multi-criteria study conducted by the canton led to the designation of land in Belle-Idée, a building area building in September 2022, “recalls Christina Meissner who thanks the association of friends of the bioparc Pierre Challands for taking the initiative of this petition of support.
“Latest news”
Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your e-mailbox. To not miss anything of what is happening in your canton, Switzerland or in the world.
Other newsletters
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
