Best murals / mosaics at zoos

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Murals and mosaics are an art form that when done well can really enhance the aesthetics of a zoo by showcasing the grandeur of nature and often complements the environmental education of visitors too.

What are some examples of murals or mosaics (either historic or contemporary) at zoos (or natural history museums) that you think are particularly good ?

Why do you personally like these ?


Look forward to reading your replies !

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Here are some examples of murals that I've seen in the gallery and liked.

Swamp mosaic, Saint Louis zoo, USA:

Art Noveau lion & tiger mosaics, Antwerp zoo, Belgium:

Orangutang graffiti mural, Jersey zoo, UK :

Golden snub nosed monkey mural, Guangzhou zoo, China:

Asiatic jungle mural, Port Lympne zoo, UK:

Mosaic, Smithsonian zoo, USA:

Aviary mural, Wildlife HQ zoo, Australia:

Asiatic wetland & grassland murals, San Francisco zoo, USA:

Indonesian wildlife mural, Raguan zoo, Indonesia:

Photo credits to @Gigit, @snowleopard, @Chlidonias, @WhistlingKite24, @TinoPup, @Tim May, @FunkyGibbon and @Zambar.

 

[vogelcommando]

On one of the outside-walls at Rotterdam Zoo there is this enormous snake-mural :

Large snake-mural on the outside zoo-wall

• vogelcommando
• 4 Apr 2019

March 6 2019

 

[amur leopard]

Asiatic wetland & grassland murals, San Francisco zoo, USA:

A shame that there's an African elephant on it...

Pairi Daiza have some mosaics on the pathways around the Chinese pavilions iirc and there are a few others that com to mind for decorative walls.

Living Coasts had this:

Puget Sound Aquarium has this quite nice mural of some often ignored marine life:

And this long one from Shenyang Forest zoo:

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

On one of the outside-walls at Rotterdam Zoo there is this enormous snake-mural :

Large snake-mural on the outside zoo-wall

• vogelcommando
• 4 Apr 2019

March 6 2019

That is really creative how they've used the bricks as an outline for the body, very fun mural, thanks for sharing @vogelcommando !

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

A shame that there's an African elephant on it...

Pairi Daiza have some mosaics on the pathways around the Chinese pavilions iirc and there are a few others that com to mind for decorative walls.

Living Coasts had this:

Puget Sound Aquarium has this quite nice mural of some often ignored marine life:

And this long one from Shenyang Forest zoo:

Thanks for your comment @amur leopard !

Yes, I thought the same hahaha, it does seem to have been modelled more on an African elephant than an Asiatic one which is a shame I agree.

The living coast mural is a little lacklustre but I like the sea anenome one and as you've said it does highlight more ignored sea life.

The Shengyang forest mural is great and looks very well painted even if I'm not all that fond of pandas, lol.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Turaco graffiti / wall art , Dudley zoo, UK :

Conservation center mosaic, Tulsa zoo, USA:

South East Asian wildlife wall art, ZSL London, UK:

Nocturnal animal wall art, ZSL London zoo, UK:

Faintly Gaugauin looking mural at Point Defiance Zoo, USA:

Elephant revenge mural , Port Lympne zoo, UK:

Photo credits to @MagpieGoose, @Ituri, @Crowthorne, @keith8404.

 

[Dianamonkey]

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

View attachment 472463

Thanks for sharing @Dianamonkey !

Great one of polar bears !

Where is this mural located ?

 

[Dianamonkey]

External wall of the tierpark

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

External wall of the tierpark

Which tierpark in particular?

 

[Dianamonkey]

 

[Dianamonkey]

Berlin Tierpark, there were a few more along the external wall

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

View attachment 472465

Thanks for sharing @Dianamonkey !

 

[Dianamonkey]

Vienna zoo, side of a animal building, insect house?

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Vienna zoo, side of a animal building, insect house?

Looks like Saint Francis of Assisi and a congregation of birds

 

[Dianamonkey]

Brno zoo, entrance

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Brno zoo, entrance View attachment 472468 View attachment 472469

Thanks for sharing @Dianamonkey these are awesome !

 

[Dianamonkey]

Usti nad labem sun bear enclosure

 

[Dianamonkey]

Egyptian house Antwerp Zoo