In 1994, Director Erich Brenner - already gravely ill with cancer - along with his team presented the new Mediterranean division on the second floor to the public. He was thus able to see the last of his three major projects come to fruition. He was no longer able to witness the inauguration of the 120,000 liter shark and sea turtle aquarium on the ground floor or the installation of the elevator. On 19 February 1995, Erich Brenner lost his valiant battle against cancer. A period of astounding progress came to a close.