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Day: 14 July 2026

New arrivals at Princess Antoinette Park’s animal garden

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/07/2026

Families visiting Monaco’s Princess Antoinette Park have some new residents to meet this summer, with two hens and four ducks joining the park’s popular animal garden.

The animals have been transferred from the Monaco Zoological Garden, which is currently closed for renovation works, and will be cared for at the municipal park during the refurbishment.

“Thanks to the generous proposal from the Monaco Zoological Garden, whom I would like to warmly thank, and as part of its temporary closure for renovation works, we were delighted to welcome two new hens and four ducks,” said Axelle Amalberti Verdino, Deputy Mayor responsible for City Events.

“This wonderful collaboration allows us to continue our commitment to animal welfare while offering families a lively and welcoming animal garden.”

The Princess Antoinette Park animal garden, managed by Monaco’s City Hall, is a popular destination for local families and visitors alike, providing children with the opportunity to discover a variety of animals in a peaceful green setting.

The new arrivals are now settling into their home and can already be seen by visitors exploring the park.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

 

One in three shark species now faces extinction, foundation warns on World Shark Day

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/07/2026

More than a third of the world’s shark species are now threatened with extinction, the Fondation de la Mer has warned to mark World Shark Day on 14th July, as overfishing, the fin trade and climate change drive one of the ocean’s most important predators into steep decline. With more than 500 species spread across marine, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems, sharks play a major ecological role, the French marine foundation says, yet their populations are falling at an alarming rate.

As predators at the top of the food chain, sharks help shape the structure, functioning and resilience of marine ecosystems. They keep other species’ populations in check, pick off the sick and injured much as large land predators do, and carry nutrients between habitats as they travel and through their waste, which can boost the productivity of the waters around them. Yet the foundation notes that films and advertising continue to spread misconceptions about the animals.

A population in freefall

The figures are stark. According to the IUCN Red List, more than a third of shark species are threatened with extinction, and the global abundance of sharks and rays fell by around 71% between 1970 and 2018. The European Union is among the main exporters of fins to Asia, supplying close to 45% of the products found on consumer markets in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan in 2022, according to a report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The scale of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is laid bare by another finding: 81% of shark fin exporters declared no exports at all between 2015 and 2021.

Climate change compounds the pressure. Rising temperatures can harm sharks’ ability to reproduce, while ocean acidification can dull some species’ ability to detect prey, pushing them into new areas where they are more exposed to human activity.

Projects from the Gulf of Guinea to Polynesia

To help turn the tide, the foundation backs field projects around the world. Since 2023 it has supported the association Over The Swell in the Gulf of Guinea, through Mission William, which studies and protects whale sharks and other threatened migratory megafauna between the Gulf of Guinea and Saint Helena. Using tracking tags to map the animals’ routes, the project is testing whether a whale shark migratory corridor links the two areas, a finding that would strengthen the case for protecting a region already among the world’s worst affected by illegal industrial fishing. In French Polynesia, the foundation supports work on the great hammerhead shark of the Tuamotu, gathering data to identify the species’ key habitats and guide its conservation.

‘Sentinels of the ocean’

“Each year, nearly 100 million sharks are killed worldwide, mainly to feed the fin trade. This staggering figure is a reminder of the urgency to act,” said Alexandre Iaschine, director-general of the Fondation de la Mer. “Contrary to popular belief, sharks are not threats to be eliminated but indispensable sentinels of the ocean’s health. Protecting them means preserving the balance of marine ecosystems. That is the whole meaning of the Fondation de la Mer’s commitment: to support those who act on the ground and to accompany them in preserving these species, as fascinating as they are essential.”

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Photo credit: Alex Rose, Unsplash

Exhibition celebrating five centuries of Monaco-Spain ties tours Spain

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/07/2026

An exhibition tracing five centuries of shared history between Monaco and Spain is continuing its journey across Spain as part of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Principality’s diplomatic mission in the country.

Titled ‘Monaco and Spain, Five Centuries of Shared History’, the travelling exhibition highlights the longstanding political, diplomatic, cultural and scientific ties between the two nations through a collection of archival documents, artworks and historical artefacts.

The exhibition opened in Madrid on 1st June at the Villanueva Pavilion of the Royal Botanical Garden in the presence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain and Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

During the visit, Prince Albert II held a working meeting with King Felipe VI, where the two Heads of State reaffirmed the strength of relations between Monaco and Spain. The Sovereign Prince and his delegation also met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, underlining the close political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

Following its successful debut in Madrid, the exhibition moved to Seville, where it was inaugurated on 22nd June at the headquarters of the Fundación Cajasol in the presence of its President, Antonio Pulido Gutiérrez, and representatives of the Andalusian regional authorities.

The exhibition will next travel to Palma de Mallorca, where it will be hosted at the Club de Mar, before continuing to the Central Library of Santander. Its Spanish tour will conclude in Barcelona this autumn.

The travelling exhibition forms one of the flagship events commemorating 150 years of Monaco’s diplomatic presence in Spain, showcasing the enduring friendship and cooperation that have connected the Principality and the Kingdom for more than five centuries.

See also: 

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene conclude two-day official visit to Madrid

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Photo credit: Julia Robles

 

Ocean Museum Friends to host annual Summer Party on Monaco rooftop

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/07/2026

The Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (AAMOM) will welcome supporters back for their annual Summer Party on Saturday 25th July, transforming the Oceanographic Museum’s panoramic rooftop terrace into an evening celebration dedicated to the ocean.

Running from 7pm to 11pm, the event will combine live entertainment, gourmet food and family-friendly activities while raising funds for projects supporting marine conservation, education and the Museum’s heritage.

“This annual event is a wonderful way to welcome the summer,” said Leila Elling, President of the Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. “I am delighted to see so many of you again, and especially pleased to introduce Hervé Chrétien, who has dedicated so much time to helping launch Le Cercle. Everything will be revealed during the evening.”

An evening for all ages

Guests will enjoy a cocktail dinner prepared by La Terrasse restaurant, accompanied by music from DJ Marc, while Monte-Carlo Champagne and Gelato & Cioccolato Monaco will provide refreshments throughout the evening.

Families are encouraged to attend, with a dedicated children’s area offering marine-themed activities organised by the Oceanographic Museum’s education team and Monaco children’s concept store Eeny Meeny. Visitors will also be able to take part in a floral workshop hosted by Bloom by the Sea, creating their own bouquets using premium seasonal flowers.

The evening will conclude with one of Monaco’s iconic summer fireworks displays, visible from the Museum’s rooftop terrace from 10.30pm.

Supporting the Oceanographic Museum

Founded in 2011, the Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco works to support the Museum’s scientific, educational and conservation initiatives while encouraging greater public awareness of ocean protection.

Early bird tickets for the Summer Party are available until 17th July, with the event taking place on the rooftop terrace of the Oceanographic Museum. The dress code is summer chic.

New corporate membership to be unveiled

A highlight of this year’s event will be the official launch of Le Cercle, a new corporate membership programme designed for businesses wishing to support the Oceanographic Museum and its mission to protect the world’s oceans.

The initiative will bring together companies committed to contributing directly to the Museum’s projects, from aquariology and heritage conservation to educational programmes aimed at introducing children to the marine environment.

Funds raised during the Summer Party will help finance initiatives including Aquariology, Oceano Pour Tous and the preservation of the Museum’s historic collections.

Last year’s event demonstrated the tangible impact of the fundraiser, with proceeds enabling the restoration of 22 unique underwater paintings created during the pioneering days of underwater exploration, before underwater photography became possible.

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Photo credit: Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco / Summer Party 2025