Europe's 50 must see zoos
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
Yes, any zoological institution was at least considered
and there is at least one aquarium on the list.You dare to take any new predictions after you guessed the past 2 correctly
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FunkyGibbon
Well-Known Member
I think Pairi Daiza will be next on grounds of significance and uniqueness, despite Lintworm's well-publicised dislike of the place.
I loved the Antwerp Zoo. Excellent summary.
Yes, any zoological institution was at least considered
You dare to take any new predictions after you guessed the past 2 correctly
I've been pondering and agree with Funky's prediction. I'm unconvinced about Planckendael's significance, but I seem to be in a minority on that score. I'd also advocate for Zagreb's significance, but I doubt Lintworm will agree.
I just went through your travel thread and it seemed you were rather distracted by culture, as not even half of the zoos you have visited made this list
You'll find out about the gaps soon enough.I just went through your travel thread and it seemed you were rather distracted by culture, as not even half of the zoos you have visited made this list
I was hoping I'd have gotten to more than half. I'm 2/3 so far, and at the absolute least I'd expect Zurich, Plzen, Prague, Wroclaw, Walsrode, Berlin Zoo, Tierpark, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Burgers, Apenheul, Rotterdam and Chester to make it. That'd get me to 18.
Cases could also be made for Oceanario, Oceanografic*, Beauval*, the Jardin des Plantes*, Basel*, Budapest, Zagreb, Helsinki, The Blue Planet, Hamburg*, Stuttgart and Artis*, where the asterisks are ones I think really should make the cut.
I am gonna make some guesses.
Belgium: Pairi Daiza, Planckendael
Czechia: Prague, Plzen
Denmark: Copenhagen
France: Beauval, Paris
Germany: Berlin Zoo and Tierpark, Munich, Duisburg, Cologne, Leipzig
Netherlands: Burgers, Rotterdam
Portugal: Oceanario, Lisbon
Russia: Moscow
Spain: Barcelona
United Kingdom: Bristol, Chester, London, Whipsnade
Other than that, anything goes.
Belgium: Pairi Daiza, Planckendael
Czechia: Prague, Plzen
Denmark: Copenhagen
France: Beauval, Paris
Germany: Berlin Zoo and Tierpark, Munich, Duisburg, Cologne, Leipzig
Netherlands: Burgers, Rotterdam
Portugal: Oceanario, Lisbon
Russia: Moscow
Spain: Barcelona
United Kingdom: Bristol, Chester, London, Whipsnade
Other than that, anything goes.
Ortolan bunting
Well-Known Member
for Sweden i would speculate that Nordens ark and universeum would be on the list
also blå planet aquarium for Denmark
also blå planet aquarium for Denmark
Belgium - Pairi Daiza, Cambron-Casteau
Founded: 1994
Size: 65 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
What started in 1994 as a bird park on the grounds of a former Cistercian abbey in a quiet corner of Belgium is quickly becoming one of the big players in the European zoo world. Pairi Daiza is probably the European zoo that is being developed most rapidly, with often multiple multi-million enclosures opening in a single year. It is therefore not surprising that it has become harder to recognize the bird park origins of this zoo. Though there is still a nice set of bird-of-prey aviaries, a large walk-through aviary, a tropical greenhouse with free-flying birds and some aviaries dotted around the zoo, birds are not anymore the focus. 10 years ago Giraffe were the only large mammals, now they have the complete set. The goal of Pairi Daiza is to show the links between people and nature, which they do by replicating temples, gardens etc. from all over the world. Money is not a problem here and they will fly in constructors from all over the world and ship in original building materials and art to give an authentic experience. This is probably the only zoo where Orangutans sh*t on real marble. The Hindu temple in the “Kingdom of Ganesha” is even used for official ceremonies. Pairi Daiza however sometimes seems to be the home of a collector, not just the art, but also the animals. The rate at which this zoo is being developed is staggering, but cannot keep up with the speed at which new, and often rare, mammals are brought in. So new species are often first kept in inadequate enclosures until space is found. There are already more elephant complexes than in the whole of Switzerland and still new elephants seem to arrive yearly and old-fashioned hands-on management is unfortunately still the standard. Though becoming more influential every year, this zoo is not without controversy. But to conclude with some positive notes, they were the first zoo worldwide to breed Shoebill storks and they brew their own beer.
@Trebaruna , General view
@Maguari , Tapir and Watermill
@Dianamonkey , Kingdom of Ganesha, with one Orangutan island on the right
@Dianamonkey, Tiger temple
Zoochat gallery
Pairi Daiza | ZooChat
www.pairidaiza.eu
Zoo map:
https://www.pairidaiza.eu/uploads/files/5ab4bc4d357f4.pdf?v1.0.0
Founded: 1994
Size: 65 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 105
Birds 235
Reptiles & amphibians 118
Fish 200
Birds 235
Reptiles & amphibians 118
Fish 200
What started in 1994 as a bird park on the grounds of a former Cistercian abbey in a quiet corner of Belgium is quickly becoming one of the big players in the European zoo world. Pairi Daiza is probably the European zoo that is being developed most rapidly, with often multiple multi-million enclosures opening in a single year. It is therefore not surprising that it has become harder to recognize the bird park origins of this zoo. Though there is still a nice set of bird-of-prey aviaries, a large walk-through aviary, a tropical greenhouse with free-flying birds and some aviaries dotted around the zoo, birds are not anymore the focus. 10 years ago Giraffe were the only large mammals, now they have the complete set. The goal of Pairi Daiza is to show the links between people and nature, which they do by replicating temples, gardens etc. from all over the world. Money is not a problem here and they will fly in constructors from all over the world and ship in original building materials and art to give an authentic experience. This is probably the only zoo where Orangutans sh*t on real marble. The Hindu temple in the “Kingdom of Ganesha” is even used for official ceremonies. Pairi Daiza however sometimes seems to be the home of a collector, not just the art, but also the animals. The rate at which this zoo is being developed is staggering, but cannot keep up with the speed at which new, and often rare, mammals are brought in. So new species are often first kept in inadequate enclosures until space is found. There are already more elephant complexes than in the whole of Switzerland and still new elephants seem to arrive yearly and old-fashioned hands-on management is unfortunately still the standard. Though becoming more influential every year, this zoo is not without controversy. But to conclude with some positive notes, they were the first zoo worldwide to breed Shoebill storks and they brew their own beer.
@Trebaruna , General view
@Maguari , Tapir and Watermill
@Dianamonkey , Kingdom of Ganesha, with one Orangutan island on the right
@Dianamonkey, Tiger temple
Zoochat gallery
Pairi Daiza | ZooChat
www.pairidaiza.eu
Zoo map:
https://www.pairidaiza.eu/uploads/files/5ab4bc4d357f4.pdf?v1.0.0
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Czech Republic - Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Founded: 1946
Size: 72 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Though there are several zoos that focus mostly on European species, there are few larger zoos in Europe that focus completely on a different continent. Dvur Kralove is however currently in the process of turning into a major African only zoo. At the moment the only non-African mammals are two Bornean orangutan and two Persian leopard, which are “only” the wrong subspecies. The bird collection is also almost completely African now, though the ectotherm collection is still a mixed bunch. Dvůr Králové is however still most widely known for their African ungulate collection, which it has maintained for decades. There are currently no less than 26 Antelope taxa,6 Zebra taxa, both Hippo species, both Rhino species and large breeding groups of Rothschild’s and Reticulated Giraffe present at the collection. Most hoofstock species are kept in large groups and many species have excellent breeding results, most notably the Eastern black rhino. But the zoo is more than just ungulates, a large collection of other African mammals and birds is also present, from Aardvark to Drill and Talapoin to African civet. Apart from the drive-through safari park with its large ungulate herds the enclosures might not be very noteworthy. But if you want to see such a concentration of African wildlife without traveling to the Serengeti, Dvůr Králové is the place to be.
@sooty mangabey , Somali wild ass enclosure
@LaughingDove , Black rhino paddock
@Maguari , Flamingo aviary
@Arek , Drive-through African safari
Zoochat gallery
ZOO Dvůr Králové | ZooChat
www.safaripark.cz
Zoo map:
https://toolkit.ecn.cz/img_upload/9ac6cf8280fa9e44811499f11aac6d24/temp.svg-g4144-985.jpg
https://toolkit.ecn.cz/img_upload/9ac6cf8280fa9e44811499f11aac6d24/mapa_safari.jpg
Founded: 1946
Size: 72 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 86
Birds 154
Reptiles & amphibians 59
Fish 49
Birds 154
Reptiles & amphibians 59
Fish 49
Though there are several zoos that focus mostly on European species, there are few larger zoos in Europe that focus completely on a different continent. Dvur Kralove is however currently in the process of turning into a major African only zoo. At the moment the only non-African mammals are two Bornean orangutan and two Persian leopard, which are “only” the wrong subspecies. The bird collection is also almost completely African now, though the ectotherm collection is still a mixed bunch. Dvůr Králové is however still most widely known for their African ungulate collection, which it has maintained for decades. There are currently no less than 26 Antelope taxa,6 Zebra taxa, both Hippo species, both Rhino species and large breeding groups of Rothschild’s and Reticulated Giraffe present at the collection. Most hoofstock species are kept in large groups and many species have excellent breeding results, most notably the Eastern black rhino. But the zoo is more than just ungulates, a large collection of other African mammals and birds is also present, from Aardvark to Drill and Talapoin to African civet. Apart from the drive-through safari park with its large ungulate herds the enclosures might not be very noteworthy. But if you want to see such a concentration of African wildlife without traveling to the Serengeti, Dvůr Králové is the place to be.
@sooty mangabey , Somali wild ass enclosure
@LaughingDove , Black rhino paddock
@Maguari , Flamingo aviary
@Arek , Drive-through African safari
Zoochat gallery
ZOO Dvůr Králové | ZooChat
www.safaripark.cz
Zoo map:
https://toolkit.ecn.cz/img_upload/9ac6cf8280fa9e44811499f11aac6d24/temp.svg-g4144-985.jpg
https://toolkit.ecn.cz/img_upload/9ac6cf8280fa9e44811499f11aac6d24/mapa_safari.jpg
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Those Flamingos aren't very African.Czech Republic - Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Founded: 1946
Size: 72 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 86
Birds 154
Reptiles & amphibians 59
Fish 49
Though there are several zoos that focus mostly on European species, there are few larger zoos in Europe that focus completely on a different continent. Dvur Kralove is however currently in the process of turning into a major African only zoo. At the moment the only non-African mammals are two Bornean orangutan and two Persian leopard, which are “only” the wrong subspecies. The bird collection is also almost completely African now, though the ectotherm collection is still a mixed bunch. Dvůr Králové is however still most widely known for their African ungulate collection, which it has maintained for decades. There are currently no less than 26 Antelope taxa,6 Zebra taxa, both Hippo species, both Rhino species and large breeding groups of Rothschild’s and Reticulated Giraffe present at the collection. Most hoofstock species are kept in large groups and many species have excellent breeding results, most notably the Eastern black rhino. But the zoo is more than just ungulates, a large collection of other African mammals and birds is also present, from Aardvark to Drill and Talapoin to African civet. Apart from the drive-through safari park with its large ungulate herds the enclosures might not be very noteworthy. But if you want to see such a concentration of African wildlife without traveling to the Serengeti, Dvůr Králové is the place to be.
@sooty mangabey , Somali wild ass enclosure
@LaughingDove , Black rhino paddock
@Maguari , Flamingo aviary
@Arek , Drive-through African safari
Zoochat gallery
ZOO Dvůr Králové | ZooChat
www.safaripark.cz
Dont they also have bactrian camels? Im guessing those will be leaving for the africa theme.Czech Republic - Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Founded: 1946
Size: 72 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 86
Birds 154
Reptiles & amphibians 59
Fish 49
Though there are several zoos that focus mostly on European species, there are few larger zoos in Europe that focus completely on a different continent. Dvur Kralove is however currently in the process of turning into a major African only zoo. At the moment the only non-African mammals are two Bornean orangutan and two Persian leopard, which are “only” the wrong subspecies. The bird collection is also almost completely African now, though the ectotherm collection is still a mixed bunch. Dvůr Králové is however still most widely known for their African ungulate collection, which it has maintained for decades. There are currently no less than 26 Antelope taxa,6 Zebra taxa, both Hippo species, both Rhino species and large breeding groups of Rothschild’s and Reticulated Giraffe present at the collection. Most hoofstock species are kept in large groups and many species have excellent breeding results, most notably the Eastern black rhino. But the zoo is more than just ungulates, a large collection of other African mammals and birds is also present, from Aardvark to Drill and Talapoin to African civet. Apart from the drive-through safari park with its large ungulate herds the enclosures might not be very noteworthy. But if you want to see such a concentration of African wildlife without traveling to the Serengeti, Dvůr Králové is the place to be.
@sooty mangabey , Somali wild ass enclosure
@LaughingDove , Black rhino paddock
@Maguari , Flamingo aviary
@Arek , Drive-through African safari
Zoochat gallery
ZOO Dvůr Králové | ZooChat
www.safaripark.cz
That is because it is an older picture, in the 2016 yearbook only Greater and Lesser flamingo are listed anymore... Only 2 pelican species (breeding groups of Spot-billed and Dalmatian pelicans), Red junglefowl and a lonely Macaw were the non African avian taxa that year.
They have Dromedary camels, not Bactrian camels.
Oh alright, my bad.
Czech Republic - Zoo Ostrava
Founded: 1951
Size: 100 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Before the fall of the iron curtain, welfare was lower in the east compared to the west. But several Eastern European countries are catching up fast now and this progress is reflected in their zoos. Perhaps the best zoo to see the contrast between old and new is Ostrava. There are still multiple relics of a gone age here, most notably the extremely outdated cat complex and the primate house. Some of the hoofstock enclosures also survived the past decades virtually unchanged, but they have always been spacious. The contrast with some of the newer developments could hardly be bigger. The Chitwan enclosure for a pair of Asiatic black bears and a group of Hanuman langurs is composed of 1.5 hectares virtually untouched woodland and is the best of its kind in Europe for both species. The new Chimpanzee house is also a stark contrast with the old primate house and has the added bonus of a huge enclosure for the largest group of Diana monkey in Europe. Not everything that is new has to be big, there are some lovely aviaries for East Asian birds and a nicely done Papua house with a few, but spacious, aquariums and terrariums for a nice collection of reptiles and fish from the islands. These new developments are also combined with the Eastern European taste for rarities, here in the form of two Tree hyrax species, Barasingha, Rusty-spotted cat and smaller goodies like Hairy frogs. If the current pace of positive developments can be kept, the future for this zoo looks very bright indeed.
@lintworm , Chitwan enclosure for Asiatic black bear & Hanuman langur
@lintworm , Monkey house indoors
@LaughingDove , Lion cage
@sooty mangabey , New Chimpanzee enclosure
Zoochat gallery:
Zoo Ostrava | ZooChat
www.zoo-ostrava.cz
Zoo map:
http://www.zoo-ostrava.cz/doc/zoo_mapa.pdf
Founded: 1951
Size: 100 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 83
Birds 125
Reptiles & amphibians 41
Fish 116
Birds 125
Reptiles & amphibians 41
Fish 116
Before the fall of the iron curtain, welfare was lower in the east compared to the west. But several Eastern European countries are catching up fast now and this progress is reflected in their zoos. Perhaps the best zoo to see the contrast between old and new is Ostrava. There are still multiple relics of a gone age here, most notably the extremely outdated cat complex and the primate house. Some of the hoofstock enclosures also survived the past decades virtually unchanged, but they have always been spacious. The contrast with some of the newer developments could hardly be bigger. The Chitwan enclosure for a pair of Asiatic black bears and a group of Hanuman langurs is composed of 1.5 hectares virtually untouched woodland and is the best of its kind in Europe for both species. The new Chimpanzee house is also a stark contrast with the old primate house and has the added bonus of a huge enclosure for the largest group of Diana monkey in Europe. Not everything that is new has to be big, there are some lovely aviaries for East Asian birds and a nicely done Papua house with a few, but spacious, aquariums and terrariums for a nice collection of reptiles and fish from the islands. These new developments are also combined with the Eastern European taste for rarities, here in the form of two Tree hyrax species, Barasingha, Rusty-spotted cat and smaller goodies like Hairy frogs. If the current pace of positive developments can be kept, the future for this zoo looks very bright indeed.
@lintworm , Chitwan enclosure for Asiatic black bear & Hanuman langur
@lintworm , Monkey house indoors
@LaughingDove , Lion cage
@sooty mangabey , New Chimpanzee enclosure
Zoochat gallery:
Zoo Ostrava | ZooChat
www.zoo-ostrava.cz
Zoo map:
http://www.zoo-ostrava.cz/doc/zoo_mapa.pdf
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Kakapo
Well-Known Member
So I see Dvur Kralove is basically the same than Bioparc Valencia: african species for mammals and birds, but some out of place species with the smaller critters (such as poison dart frogs).
What?????? It's a very extremely new addition? No zoos in Europe have this mythical species, theorically...
In a way yes, but Dvur is off course way larger and has a lot more birds and small mammals and off course a completely different building style.
They were signed in an enclosure, next to the toilets in the Evolution pavilion, last Easter. I didn't see any though, but given the fact that they have recently imported some Tree hyraxes from Togo it doesn't seem impossible.
I'd like to know more about this; I only know of Hairy Frogs from Getald Durrell's early stuff, but got the impression they are almost unknown in captivity.