50 years - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2007 - 55 Euro Cent

The Aqua Terra Zoo House of the Sea is housed in a former World War II flak tower. This memorial is over 50 meters high and has thanks to its roof terrace Vienna's most beautiful panoramic view. From its external appearance - which is still in state as it was 60 years ago - for historical protection reasons, nobody would conclude that this deterrent concrete block has such a wonderfully colorful and lively interior. There are more than 5,000 live animals on six floor levels, ranging from tropical fish, Mediterranean animals, snakes, lizards and crocodiles to colorful birds and free-roaming monkeys, which can move freely in the tropical house. In addition, the House of the Sea houses Austria's largest aquarium with 300,000 liters by sharks cavort together with a sea turtle. The House of the Sea has an excellent international reputation as a zoo, which has been very successful breeding many marine species, for example the anemone fish shown on the stamp - also called Nemo - as well as pipefish, seahorses, but also turtles, snakes, birds, etc. The constituent general assembly of the founder association took place fifty years ago on 26.11.1957. Proponents were, among others, the later very successful university professors. Ferdinand Starmühlner and Dr. med. Rupert Riedl. Originally named "Society for Marine Biology", the first period took place with President Dr. Ing. Hartel, Vice Ing Otte and Managing Director Hubert Belgrad in 1965 a sudden end. From 1966, the second period began, this time under Emmerich Schlosser, who built the house for the next 15 years with a team of young idealists. Also the long-standing GF president Franz Six belonged to it. Under the presidency of the Abg. For National Councilor Hans Jungwirth there were first fishing trips. The exhibition area has been significantly enlarged. The third period with Erich Brenner in the lead brought consolidation and more quality. For the first time, Dr. med. Mitic hired a zoologist and won a new figurehead with President Starmühlner. Since 1995, initially as a team, Dr. Ing. Michael Mitic very successfully the now ISO and OHSAS certified AQUA TERRA ZOO and the incumbent president Univ. Prof. Dr. Ott - a world renowned marine researcher -, Managing President Franz Six, Vice President Univ. Prof. Dr. Radda and Werner Binder, who is responsible for the commercial matters, support him. The entire board and the employees form a powerful team. With over 250,000 visitors a year, the HOUSE OF THE SEA is one of the top sights in Vienna. Many projects, such as the opening of the Flakturmterrasse for the public for the first time, the new 300,000-liter shark tank and the construction of a second tropical house, mark the anniversary year.