Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
That's good, but as far as that particular exhibit-niche goes I reckon the Underground World at Plzen is a much better example.
Another suggestion: The snake temple in Randers Regnskov, Denmark - a walkthrough hall for snakes and some other stereotypically gross and unpopular animals like toads and orb-web spiders.
It's currently the only major snake walkthrough in Europe if I remember correctly. You probably know about this one, but thought I'd mention it just in case; Randers Regnskov isn't visited or discussed that often by non-Danish Zoochatters.
It's currently the only major snake walkthrough in Europe if I remember correctly. You probably know about this one, but thought I'd mention it just in case; Randers Regnskov isn't visited or discussed that often by non-Danish Zoochatters.
First, let me catch up because you seem to have refound your mojo 
Boras - Savannah is an obvious choice. In my list I had the one at Knuthenborg jotted down, but in hindsight the one at Boras probably pips it at the post.
Berlin’s hippo house is a no-brainer for the zoo enthousiast. As people that follow this thread know, I haven’t been to Berlin yet. But even I had scribbled it down pretty fast.
The wisent freigelände fits right into your European heart. As you will understand, for me there’s very little “tension” in it? We had this before and I feel this is even a better example, where the exhibit is just a big fenced off section of the animals natural habitat. You can’t go wrong really, but it seems too easy. In that respect, Lelystad’s walk-through seems to add something different to the mix. Perhaps I’m leaning more towards that?
Putting one of Europe’s big polar bear exhibits on the list is also an obvious choice. I had Orsa on my list, but I understand why you left it out (or put it on the alternative list).
Now for the question. Tough one, because I’m playing with the idea to post my list somewhere in the future and I don’t want to blow some of the surprises on that list. It’s also hard to predict what might follow. Some obvious ones are missing and if you have left them out, I’ll be disappointed (but I bet you haven’t).
I’ll stick with my butterfly house for now. It should be on the list anyways. And I hope I get to the point I can tell everyone which one
Boras - Savannah is an obvious choice. In my list I had the one at Knuthenborg jotted down, but in hindsight the one at Boras probably pips it at the post.
Berlin’s hippo house is a no-brainer for the zoo enthousiast. As people that follow this thread know, I haven’t been to Berlin yet. But even I had scribbled it down pretty fast.
The wisent freigelände fits right into your European heart. As you will understand, for me there’s very little “tension” in it? We had this before and I feel this is even a better example, where the exhibit is just a big fenced off section of the animals natural habitat. You can’t go wrong really, but it seems too easy. In that respect, Lelystad’s walk-through seems to add something different to the mix. Perhaps I’m leaning more towards that?
Putting one of Europe’s big polar bear exhibits on the list is also an obvious choice. I had Orsa on my list, but I understand why you left it out (or put it on the alternative list).
Now for the question. Tough one, because I’m playing with the idea to post my list somewhere in the future and I don’t want to blow some of the surprises on that list. It’s also hard to predict what might follow. Some obvious ones are missing and if you have left them out, I’ll be disappointed (but I bet you haven’t).
I’ll stick with my butterfly house for now. It should be on the list anyways. And I hope I get to the point I can tell everyone which one
With 26 slots left, I now face the problem that I have only filled 25. During the process of writing up the thread one exhibit dropped out and I haven't replaced it yet. I could pick something myself, but although I think I have a pretty good overview of noteworthy exhibits on the continent, I must have missed something. So I am curious to hear any suggestions from you zoochatters on a relatively unknown exhibit that would be a worthy inclusion. It really can be anything from a single exhibit to an exhibit complex that is noteworthy because of its design/historical significance/excellence of exhibitry/etc.. There is no need to bring up an exhibit like Masoala, don't worry it is in there, but exhibits like Exmoor's sitatunga enclosure would fit the bill. Just note that collection only is not a selection criterion.
Please post your suggestions in this thread and maybe your exhibit will be picked for entry 99
You can check for free my top 100
, you'll never know if you pick one of the 67 missing ones.
The sea lion enclosure at Beekse Bergen could be a great addition to the list.
I think Masoala Rainforest Hall at Zurich will for sure be there, I would also maybe add other exhibits of the zoo in the list : the South-American monkeys islands, the snow leopard enclosure and the Australian house.
The okapi exhibit at Mulhouse could also have a place on this list, as well as the Humboldt penguins enclosure from Le Parc des Oiseaux.
I think Masoala Rainforest Hall at Zurich will for sure be there, I would also maybe add other exhibits of the zoo in the list : the South-American monkeys islands, the snow leopard enclosure and the Australian house.
The okapi exhibit at Mulhouse could also have a place on this list, as well as the Humboldt penguins enclosure from Le Parc des Oiseaux.
I think one of the Swiss exotaria, i.e. of either Bern, Basel, or Zurich, would deserve to be on the list. The rather broad and eclectic species mixes in combination with not too numerous but high quality exhibits and visitor spaces seem to be a rather Swiss thing that I haven't quite encountered anywhere else.
The (by now very large) stork colony spread across most of the zoo at Zurich?
Weaver birds et al. @ Etosha building in Basel.
Perhaps the brown bear and wolf mixed enclosure at Goldau.
Bird or monkey house in Vienna (though I suspect/hope they are already on the list)
The (by now very large) stork colony spread across most of the zoo at Zurich?
Weaver birds et al. @ Etosha building in Basel.
Perhaps the brown bear and wolf mixed enclosure at Goldau.
Bird or monkey house in Vienna (though I suspect/hope they are already on the list)
First of all, many thanks to Lintworm for this amazing post.
I do have two suggestions:
- one of the very large and natural exhibit for pinnipeds (Beekse Bergen, Longleat or Yorkshire) as it is a very innovative way of showing an animal that have been otherwise limited to in the better case to large swimming pools . IMO, this is a similar revolution than the one mentioned for polar bears and there is still a long way before the general level for seals and sea lions reach such level of housing. It also seems to be unique at global level, with no Asian or American zoos housing pinnipeds in natural pools, at least to my knowledge.
- I have been lazy to read again the whole thread but I do not recall any safari type exhibit. I think that among a hundred exhibits, one might get one spot for at least one safari type exhibit. If I would have to select one, I would go for Sigean in southern France. Like other safaris the sheer size of exhibits is part of the advantages of this type of housing and it allows to house large breeding groups of ungulates. What makes Sigean unique in my opinion, is the natural vegetation that reminds Africa rather than a lush and grassy cow pasture.
I do have two suggestions:
- one of the very large and natural exhibit for pinnipeds (Beekse Bergen, Longleat or Yorkshire) as it is a very innovative way of showing an animal that have been otherwise limited to in the better case to large swimming pools . IMO, this is a similar revolution than the one mentioned for polar bears and there is still a long way before the general level for seals and sea lions reach such level of housing. It also seems to be unique at global level, with no Asian or American zoos housing pinnipeds in natural pools, at least to my knowledge.
- I have been lazy to read again the whole thread but I do not recall any safari type exhibit. I think that among a hundred exhibits, one might get one spot for at least one safari type exhibit. If I would have to select one, I would go for Sigean in southern France. Like other safaris the sheer size of exhibits is part of the advantages of this type of housing and it allows to house large breeding groups of ungulates. What makes Sigean unique in my opinion, is the natural vegetation that reminds Africa rather than a lush and grassy cow pasture.
Leipzig - Maned Wolf/Anteater exhibit
Kristiansand - Nordisk Villmark. (Wolf/Lynx/Arctic Fox/Wolverine/Moose )
Benidorm Tera Natura - Spanish red deer/Fallow Deer/ Mouflon walkthrough exhibit.
Kristiansand - Nordisk Villmark. (Wolf/Lynx/Arctic Fox/Wolverine/Moose )
Benidorm Tera Natura - Spanish red deer/Fallow Deer/ Mouflon walkthrough exhibit.
Thank you for all the further suggestions, some interesting stuff here. Some of the mentioned exhibits will follow and some have even been covered already.
The Etosha building has already been covered in post 36.
This thread has grown to quite a length by now, but have a look at number 12
The Etosha building has already been covered in post 36.
This thread has grown to quite a length by now, but have a look at number 12
75. Bonobo enclosure
La Vallée des Singes, Romagne, France
Opened: 2011
Size: 1.3 hectares
Inhabitants: Bonobo
Keeping a great ape enclosure lush and green has always been a main challenge, for which one of the answers seems to be that you just have to make it large enough. With an island of over 1.2 hectares, of which more than half is covered in dense woodland, this bonobo enclosure is one of the more lush primate enclosures anywhere, with most trees being fully accessible. The island is so large and densely vegetated that the bonobos can practice some sort of fission-fusion behaviour in a single enclosure. The forested part of the enclosure is also equipped with several enrichment stations near viewing points so that visitors actually stand a chance of seeing bonobos in the forested areas and not only in the grassy area near the house. Seeing a group or a single bonobo on a foraging expedition throughout the vast habitat is a wonderful experience, which is as close to a natural sighting as one could probably get in a captive setting. Contrary to its Dutch cousin, Apenheul, the indoor enclosures are also spacious here, with two large on-show indoor enclosures.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm (see the bonobo at the enrichment station for scale)
@lintworm
Similar exhibits: For bonobo the other excellent exhibit stands in Dierenpark Planckendael, Mechelen, Belgium which als has a large and lush island and 4 on-show indoor enclosures for their group. For chimpanzees the chimpanzee island in la Vallee des Singes does also stand out. The Budongo Trail in Edinburgh Zoo, UK, is another standout chimpanzee exhibit with numerous indoor enclosures and a wonderful outdoor enclosure.
Dierenpark Planckendael
@KevinB
@KevinB
La Vallee des Singes
@lintworm
@lintworm
Edinburgh Zoo
@James27
La Vallée des Singes, Romagne, France
Opened: 2011
Size: 1.3 hectares
Inhabitants: Bonobo
Keeping a great ape enclosure lush and green has always been a main challenge, for which one of the answers seems to be that you just have to make it large enough. With an island of over 1.2 hectares, of which more than half is covered in dense woodland, this bonobo enclosure is one of the more lush primate enclosures anywhere, with most trees being fully accessible. The island is so large and densely vegetated that the bonobos can practice some sort of fission-fusion behaviour in a single enclosure. The forested part of the enclosure is also equipped with several enrichment stations near viewing points so that visitors actually stand a chance of seeing bonobos in the forested areas and not only in the grassy area near the house. Seeing a group or a single bonobo on a foraging expedition throughout the vast habitat is a wonderful experience, which is as close to a natural sighting as one could probably get in a captive setting. Contrary to its Dutch cousin, Apenheul, the indoor enclosures are also spacious here, with two large on-show indoor enclosures.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm (see the bonobo at the enrichment station for scale)
@lintworm
Similar exhibits: For bonobo the other excellent exhibit stands in Dierenpark Planckendael, Mechelen, Belgium which als has a large and lush island and 4 on-show indoor enclosures for their group. For chimpanzees the chimpanzee island in la Vallee des Singes does also stand out. The Budongo Trail in Edinburgh Zoo, UK, is another standout chimpanzee exhibit with numerous indoor enclosures and a wonderful outdoor enclosure.
Dierenpark Planckendael
@KevinB
@KevinB
La Vallee des Singes
@lintworm
@lintworm
Edinburgh Zoo
@James27
It's always nice to see real natural trees being used lush and dense, like the similar exhibit (Planckendael and Edinburgh) can do a job but ropes and sticks can't compete with real trees (at least for my eyes anyway)75. Bonobo enclosure
La Vallée des Singes, Romagne, France
Opened: 2011
Size: 1.3 hectares
Inhabitants: Bonobo
Keeping a great ape enclosure lush and green has always been a main challenge, for which one of the answers seems to be that you just have to make it large enough. With an island of over 1.2 hectares, of which more than half is covered in dense woodland, this bonobo enclosure is one of the more lush primate enclosures anywhere, with most trees being fully accessible. The island is so large and densely vegetated that the bonobos can practice some sort of fission-fusion behaviour in a single enclosure. The forested part of the enclosure is also equipped with several enrichment stations near viewing points so that visitors actually stand a chance of seeing bonobos in the forested areas and not only in the grassy area near the house. Seeing a group or a single bonobo on a foraging expedition throughout the vast habitat is a wonderful experience, which is as close to a natural sighting as one could probably get in a captive setting. Contrary to its Dutch cousin, Apenheul, the indoor enclosures are also spacious here, with two large on-show indoor enclosures.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm (see the bonobo at the enrichment station for scale)
@lintworm
Similar exhibits: For bonobo the other excellent exhibit stands in Dierenpark Planckendael, Mechelen, Belgium which als has a large and lush island and 4 on-show indoor enclosures for their group. For chimpanzees the chimpanzee island in la Vallee des Singes does also stand out. The Budongo Trail in Edinburgh Zoo, UK, is another standout chimpanzee exhibit with numerous indoor enclosures and a wonderful outdoor enclosure.
Dierenpark Planckendael
@KevinB
@KevinB
La Vallee des Singes
@lintworm
@lintworm
Edinburgh Zoo
@James27
@lintworm more exhibits comes to mind, for example at Nuremberg, Vienna, Helsinki, Tallinn, Wuppertal, Poznan. etc. , but I know that you are well aware of the qualities of those zoos. Nevertheless, I hope you keep in mind the Alpinarium at Tallinn. I am not 100 % sure, if can be considered as a one exhibit, but it's definitely "must see"
Platypusboy
Well-Known Member
Maybe the monkey or bear castles at Helsinki zoo. They’re definitely concrete behemoths.
I thought Budongo might have warrented it’s own entry, but apparantly not. I don’t mind, since I wasn’t as blown away by it as I expected (probably a case of too high expectations).
I looked back in the thread but I can’t find your stance on calling birdshows/animal presentations an “exhibit”? Did you not include one because you feel none are good enough, or do you feel they are not an exhibit? Or are one or two still upcoming? Because I feel one or two warrant a mention…
I looked back in the thread but I can’t find your stance on calling birdshows/animal presentations an “exhibit”? Did you not include one because you feel none are good enough, or do you feel they are not an exhibit? Or are one or two still upcoming? Because I feel one or two warrant a mention…
75. Bonobo enclosure
La Vallée des Singes, Romagne, France
Opened: 2011
Size: 1.3 hectares
Inhabitants: Bonobo
Keeping a great ape enclosure lush and green has always been a main challenge, for which one of the answers seems to be that you just have to make it large enough. With an island of over 1.2 hectares, of which more than half is covered in dense woodland, this bonobo enclosure is one of the more lush primate enclosures anywhere, with most trees being fully accessible. The island is so large and densely vegetated that the bonobos can practice some sort of fission-fusion behaviour in a single enclosure. The forested part of the enclosure is also equipped with several enrichment stations near viewing points so that visitors actually stand a chance of seeing bonobos in the forested areas and not only in the grassy area near the house. Seeing a group or a single bonobo on a foraging expedition throughout the vast habitat is a wonderful experience, which is as close to a natural sighting as one could probably get in a captive setting. Contrary to its Dutch cousin, Apenheul, the indoor enclosures are also spacious here, with two large on-show indoor enclosures.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm (see the bonobo at the enrichment station for scale)
@lintworm
I went to a talk by primatologist Frans de Waals tonight. He recommended the bonobo exhibit and said it was more likely to promote natural behaviour than smaller enclosures at other zoos.