The most beautiful zoos

[TeaLovingDave]

And actually still has live animals on display, though only in form of some relatively commonplace freshwater fish and stick insects in the greenhouses.

Indeed - and a not insubstantial number of feral sliders in the ponds and ornamental lakes within the park! When I stayed in Hamburg in 2016 I was actually in a hotel just across the road from Planten un Blomen, and as such took the opportunity to visit once or twice - including finding one or two statues and fragments of architecture from the old zoo.

Given the applicability to the discussion at hand, perhaps I should upload a shot or two

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Given the applicability to the discussion at hand, perhaps I should upload a shot or two

Not one of the original statues which were pointed out to us by our companion on this particular day - a German enthusiast who used to frequent this forum under the username Animal - but a replica in the original location; still worth mentioning of course.



Unfortunately I can't find any of my photos of the surviving odds and ends right now, having only had a quick check of my shots, but I'll take a closer look later.

 

[Westcoastperson]

The Living Desert is definitely in the running for North America with their countless trails and large botanical lineup

credit: DevinL, Cactus Garden

Credit: DevinL, Eagle Canyon Exhibit

Credit:Coelacanth18, California Aviary

Credit:Coelacanth18, Cheetah exhibit

Credit:BigNate, Emu exhibit

Credit:My photo, mixed Africa exhibit with giraffes, ostrich, Guinea Fowl, Greater Kudu, and Crowned Crane

Credit:My photo, Amur Leopard looking right at me!

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Antwerp has quite a grand ambience which some might feel to be beautiful, personally I find the turn of the last century Art-Noveau type architecture and art beautiful so for me I would define it this way.

From the entrance onwards there is art like this art-noveau style tiger / snake mosaic.

The bird houses are extremely ornate and particularly with its sculptures and architecture.

As is the architecture of the rest of the zoo.

The landscaping and garden areas are beautiful and of diverse types.

Including the beautiful historic butterfly / winter garden.

There seem to be many scenic places for the visitor to stop and sit and eat or drink something and just take in the surroundings.

There are some beautiful sculptures and stonework around the place which give a feeling of it being a place with reverence for nature.

It seems that the zoo have even tried to keep the Art-Noveau theme going and to resurrect it like with this sign.

Photo credits to@KevinB, @vogelcommando and @snowleopard

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

The Living Desert is definitely in the running for North America with their countless trails and large botanical lineup

credit: DevinL

Credit: DevinL

Credit:Coelacanth18

Credit:Coelacanth18

Credit:BigNate
View attachment 468515
Credit:My photo
View attachment 468516
Credit:My photo

I really love desert landscaping in botanical gardens or zoos, I think they are my favourite biome themed areas.

 

[Westcoastperson]

I really love desert landscaping in botanical gardens or zoos, I think they are my favourite biome themed areas.

It is located in the middle of a desert and uses it to its advantage with a large mountain for bighorn sheep, open dry spaces for their African Ungulates, and their warm dry climate to hold many African and Australian botanical species that would be difficult to keep elsewhere

 

[Westcoastperson]

Antwerp has quite a grand ambience which some might feel to be beautiful, personally I find the turn of the last century Art-Noveau type architecture and art beautiful so for me I would define it this way.

From the entrance onwards there is art like this art-noveau style tiger / snake mosaic.

The bird houses are extremely ornate and particularly with its sculptures and architecture.

As is the architecture of the rest of the zoo.

The landscaping and garden areas are beautiful and of diverse types.

Including the beautiful historic butterfly / winter garden.

There seem to be many scenic places for the visitor to stop and sit and eat or drink something and just take in the surroundings.

There are some beautiful sculptures and stonework around the place which give a feeling of it being a place with reverence for nature.

It seems that the zoo have even tried to keep the Art-Noveau theme going and to resurrect it like with this sign.

Photo credits to@KevinB, @vogelcommando and @snowleopard

Antwerps Egyptian temple is absolutely stunning and I like how they use different elevated cliffs for their Lion and Camel viewing

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

It is located in the middle of a desert and uses it to its advantage with a large mountain for bighorn sheep, open dry spaces for their African Ungulates, and their warm dry climate to hold many African and Australian botanical species that would be difficult to keep elsewhere

Beautiful indeed and a good use of the terrain and climate for sure.

Antwerps Egyptian temple is absolutely stunning and I like how they use different elevated cliffs for their Lion and Camel viewing

I'm not so keen on the Egyptian temple aesthetically but it is really interesting from a historical perspective as it reflects the whole Egyptomania that was sweeping Europe at the time.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Of course the problem with all the beauty at Antwerp zoo in particular is that it has a dark side.

A lot of it the architectural features probably date from the late 19th and early 20th century and are the result of blood money from King Leopold's "ventures" in the Congo.

 

[Westcoastperson]

Ok here is one that I'm surprised hasn't been discussed yet Wildlands Emmen.
I will say this, their design is subjective, so if you don't like human elements in zoo exhibits you won't like this zoo.

Credit:Snowleopard

Credit:vogelcommando

Credit:Snowleopard

Credit:vogelcommando

Credit:vogelcommando

 

[Zooplantman]

I am THOROUGHLY enjoying seeing the different visions of beautiful zoos members are sharing here! Thanks for a great thread.

 

[PossumRoach]

I'm surprised that bioparc doue la fontaine hasn't been mentioned. Their snow leopard enclosure might have errors, but you can't say no to their aviaries and use of quarries to create a new environments for the animals.

 

[Westcoastperson]

I'm surprised that bioparc doue la fontaine hasn't been mentioned. Their snow leopard enclosure might have errors, but you can't say no to their aviaries and use of quarries to create a new environments for the animals.

I did some research of this park and I really like how they use the limestone cliffs even though they aren't natural. It actually says that the many cliffs and trenches were carved out by an old mine that used to be there which is pretty cool. It reminded me of Parque De La Naturaleza Cantabria which uses it's large red rock cliffs to enhance the animals exhibits.

 

[Fallax]

High chance somebody already mentioned this but Cotswold can be pretty breath-taking from some sides of the rhino paddock.

 

[birdsandbats]

Of the zoos I have been too, three came to mind:

-The Minnesota Zoo is set within over 400 acres of beautiful forest and wildlife such as Wild Turkeys and Trumpeter Swans are so easy to see most visitors just assume they are part of the collection.

-The Wilds has lots of beautiful vistas over one of the highest quality prairie habitats east of the Mississippi.

-I love the historic architecture at Shedd Aquarium, the aquarium also has some nice vistas looking the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

-I love the historic architecture at Shedd Aquarium, the aquarium also has some nice vistas looking the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.

I almost forgot, the way this aquarium has stayed mostly the same in its architecture since its early days is impressive, and I love the way the Ocean and Water life sculptures make its way into simple things like doorknobs, or lamps.

 

[Bisonblake]

I have never been here yet, but the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium looks beautiful based on the photos I've seen. The exhibits seem to be well themed, and very naturalistic. I am in love with the Lied Jungle exhibit, it's honestly one of the most beautiful indoor rainforest exhibits I have seen. The new sea lion exhibit is amazing with so many areas to view the pinnipeds. The aquarium seems to have very clean tanks in the aquarium which is always great, and of course the Desert Dome. There are so many animals in here and all the exhibits are really well designed.

 

[TinoPup]

I have never been here yet, but the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium looks beautiful based on the photos I've seen. The exhibits seem to be well themed, and very naturalistic. I am in love with the Lied Jungle exhibit, it's honestly one of the most beautiful indoor rainforest exhibits I have seen. The new sea lion exhibit is amazing with so many areas to view the pinnipeds. The aquarium seems to have very clean tanks in the aquarium which is always great, and of course the Desert Dome. There are so many animals in here and all the exhibits are really well designed.

Of all the zoos I've been to in the USA, Omaha is the main one where I really had a sense of "wow" when walking around.

There's another I have to mention - Central Park Zoo. So many zoos have locations in big parks, but this one is truly in the park; it's as much a part of the park as the carousel and Belvedere Castle. Most other park zoos feel like separate entities (though rising entry fees are pushing it a little for Central Park, too). A lot of the statues, ironwork, etc have been there for a long time.

Two I haven't visited that look amazing - Belle Isle Aquarium and Shedd Aquarium.

I have a major soft spot for old architecture (probably from moving to the US from the UK as a kid, where "really old" means something entirely different) so I love any place that repurposes/keeps around old stuff - the entrance at Philly Zoo, the buildings at ZooAmerica, even the aquatic birds building at Bronx.

 

[Echobeast]

A bit biased but it's hard to beat a view like this:
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

 

[birdsandbats]

A bit biased but it's hard to beat a view like this:
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We have a winner!