For me shows are not exhibits, if they were though the Maitre d'air bird show in Beauval would most certainly have made the list
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
For me shows are not exhibits, if they were though the Maitre d'air bird show in Beauval would most certainly have made the list
If halve a zoo can be an “exhibit”, then so can the Maitre d’air
And if you would include shows and presentations, it’s not like you would have to include a ton of other options (a bit of a sad realisation). The only thing that would come close would be Walsrode, which would nicely fit the “alternative” section.
I’m also missing the pinniped section sofar. I’m not a massive fan of the great natural lakes, as far as I’m aware they seem to cause eye-problems with the sea lions? Also viewing options for the public are usually not too great. I have two on my list (other then the Eismeer), the best of those two is obviously ZOOM’s exhibit. Which might also be fresh water (dunno?) but at least the viewing is awesome
If halve a zoo can be an “exhibit”, then so can the Maitre d’air
I am inclined to stretch my definition of exhibit complexes to include some exhibits just to annoy you
I’m also missing the pinniped section sofar. I’m not a massive fan of the great natural lakes, as far as I’m aware they seem to cause eye-problems with the sea lions? Also viewing options for the public are usually not too great. I have two on my list (other then the Eismeer), the best of those two is obviously ZOOM’s exhibit. Which might also be fresh water (dunno?) but at least the viewing is awesome
The pinnipeds are late to the party, but in the last 11 entries there will be multiple exhibits that include pinnipeds.
76. Odyssée des Campagnes
Zoodyssée, Villiers-en-Bois, France
Opened: 2020
Size: 4 hectares
Inhabitants: Little bustard, lesser kestrel, Poitou donkey, pine marten and a range of other French countryside birds and local domestic species
Worldwide 38% of all the land area is used as farmland, but to find a zoo exhibit that focuses on the wildlife of these landscapes is extremely rare, with zoos preferring to focus on more undisturbed habitats. That is a pity, as there is ample scope to discover human - animal relationships. Additionally the extensively farmed countryside that dominated most of Europe 100 years ago was a highly biodiverse system, which is now mostly limited to mountain meadows, the Mediterranean and parts of Eastern Europe. At Zoodyssée a significant area has been devoted to showing a small-scale extensively used French countryside. This includes “historic” farm buildings and local (often endangered) domestic species, but also small landscape features like stone walls and hedges. While at first this area might seem very open, there is more to discover than apparent at first. For wildlife enthusiasts the highlight is clearly the 2200 square metre walkthrough aviary with grassland birds. The stars are little bustards, which are bred for release in an adjacent behind the scenes breeding centre, but with red-legged partridge, lesser kestrel and others there is quite a lot to discover in what at first seems an empty grassland. The great potential of this area is somewhat let down by the size of some enclosures, but all-in-all this is an interesting addition to the European zoo landscape.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
Similar exhibits: Unfortunately I am aware of none on a larger scale. There are some farm areas focusing mostly on domestic species, but none where the wildlife gets at least equal attention. I will once more mourn the loss of Diergaarde Blijdorp’s migratory bird aviary as one half showed a historic Dutch meadow landscape.
Zoodyssée, Villiers-en-Bois, France
Opened: 2020
Size: 4 hectares
Inhabitants: Little bustard, lesser kestrel, Poitou donkey, pine marten and a range of other French countryside birds and local domestic species
Worldwide 38% of all the land area is used as farmland, but to find a zoo exhibit that focuses on the wildlife of these landscapes is extremely rare, with zoos preferring to focus on more undisturbed habitats. That is a pity, as there is ample scope to discover human - animal relationships. Additionally the extensively farmed countryside that dominated most of Europe 100 years ago was a highly biodiverse system, which is now mostly limited to mountain meadows, the Mediterranean and parts of Eastern Europe. At Zoodyssée a significant area has been devoted to showing a small-scale extensively used French countryside. This includes “historic” farm buildings and local (often endangered) domestic species, but also small landscape features like stone walls and hedges. While at first this area might seem very open, there is more to discover than apparent at first. For wildlife enthusiasts the highlight is clearly the 2200 square metre walkthrough aviary with grassland birds. The stars are little bustards, which are bred for release in an adjacent behind the scenes breeding centre, but with red-legged partridge, lesser kestrel and others there is quite a lot to discover in what at first seems an empty grassland. The great potential of this area is somewhat let down by the size of some enclosures, but all-in-all this is an interesting addition to the European zoo landscape.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
Similar exhibits: Unfortunately I am aware of none on a larger scale. There are some farm areas focusing mostly on domestic species, but none where the wildlife gets at least equal attention. I will once more mourn the loss of Diergaarde Blijdorp’s migratory bird aviary as one half showed a historic Dutch meadow landscape.
The best without doubt. @lintworm didn't mentionned that the island is shared in two parts : a main of 8.000 m2 and a smaller of 3.000 which allow two different groups to live here in good conditions and was used with the Rhenen group for more than two years. As far as I know only Rhenen have two real outdoors, maybe Stuttgart and Francfort too and I think it is a neccessity today.
Other important detail : contrary to the gorilla enclosure, the park decide quickly to put more new trees in the island opened area (near the house). Now there are more lushy part for the animals and less danger to see lots of damaged trees.
Both Stuttgart and Frankfurt also have 2 outdoor enclosures, the other German zoos and Apenheul do indeed have only one...
Which is by now, obviously, fully justified
Perhaps after that you might also be inclined to give us an exhibit with non-European species
But I must hand it to you. Although perhaps not gorgeous, the exhibits at Zoodyssee are unique in the European landscape and I applaud you for putting both the exhibits and the animals in the spotlight. People don’t appreciate what they take for granted.
Kinda hard giving you an exhibit if the list isn’t done
how about this then, Barcelona’s Zoos penguin exhibit? I have a hard time remembering the exhibit exactly, but I do remember it being a great use of tight space, with both the penguins and the visitors seemingly enjoying the exhibit greatly and without a million dollar budget.
77. Snake temple
Randers Regnskov, Denmark
Opened: 2008
Size: 100 square metres (?)
Inhabitants: Carpet python, butterflies, archerfish and more
Compared to the USA walk-through exhibits are extremely common in Europe and not always with the most standard species. It is not uncommon to see largely unsupervised walkthroughs with larger monkeys that could potentially cause harm if things go really wrong. But at least there are animals the general public is not afraid of. The risk in a walkthrough temple with docile carpet pythons (and formerly rat snakes) is most likely lower, but the average visitor’s reaction is probably quite different. Fortunately for some visitors, this Angkor Wat temple ruin themed exhibit does not lie on a main route. Although it should be a good place to show that snakes are mostly far less scary than they are pictured in popular culture.
@Joker1706
@Toddy
@Toddy
Similar exhibits: there are other snake walkthroughs in Asia, but I am not aware of others in Europe currently. Other rather unconventional walkthroughs exist in Zoo Halle, Germany, with bat-eared foxes and wildpark Lelystad, the Netherlands, with wisent. Walkthroughs with bats and spiders, other animals for which numerous people are scared exist in multiple zoos.
Zoo Halle
@lintworm
Natuurpark Lelystad
@snowleopard
Randers Regnskov, Denmark
Opened: 2008
Size: 100 square metres (?)
Inhabitants: Carpet python, butterflies, archerfish and more
Compared to the USA walk-through exhibits are extremely common in Europe and not always with the most standard species. It is not uncommon to see largely unsupervised walkthroughs with larger monkeys that could potentially cause harm if things go really wrong. But at least there are animals the general public is not afraid of. The risk in a walkthrough temple with docile carpet pythons (and formerly rat snakes) is most likely lower, but the average visitor’s reaction is probably quite different. Fortunately for some visitors, this Angkor Wat temple ruin themed exhibit does not lie on a main route. Although it should be a good place to show that snakes are mostly far less scary than they are pictured in popular culture.
@Joker1706
@Toddy
@Toddy
Similar exhibits: there are other snake walkthroughs in Asia, but I am not aware of others in Europe currently. Other rather unconventional walkthroughs exist in Zoo Halle, Germany, with bat-eared foxes and wildpark Lelystad, the Netherlands, with wisent. Walkthroughs with bats and spiders, other animals for which numerous people are scared exist in multiple zoos.
Zoo Halle
@lintworm
Natuurpark Lelystad
@snowleopard
Den Lille Dyrehage in Norway has smaller snake walktrough exhibit with Carpet python and Boa constrictor.
Strix
Well-Known Member
Really interesting exhibit! I have some questions for anyone who’s visited one of the snake walkthroughs mentioned above:
are you likely to actually see the snakes?
How many are in the exhibit?
do they always stay deep in the foliage or have you seen them come out onto the edge of the path?
are you likely to actually see the snakes?
How many are in the exhibit?
do they always stay deep in the foliage or have you seen them come out onto the edge of the path?
I haven't visited Randers' exhibit since they did a minor renovation of it about a year ago, but as for how it usually is:
Yes, you are quite likely to see at least the carpet pythons. I haven't always seen the rat snakes when those are present.
I don't know how many snakes there are. My guess from what I've seen would be about a dozen, but it can be a lower number in periods.
They usually stay out of the reach of the guests, but I've seen them on the floor occasionally, though only when the exhibit isn't crowded by people.
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By the way, the snake walkthrough actually opened back in 1999, but it's true that the current incarnation with the faux temple ruin opened in 2008. Before that, the hall was based on a swamp/mangrove where a small footbridge took guests over ponds with various turtles, but that exhibit didn't feel as walkthroughish given that the snakes hardly ever climbed onto the bridge and just stayed on the branches around the pond.
The area of the exhibit is 130 square meters.
(I couldn't remember the exact opening year, but I clearly remember my first visit in the hall around the turn of the millennium, so I checked their website: Historie: Randers Regnskov - Tropical Zoo)
The area of the exhibit is 130 square meters.
(I couldn't remember the exact opening year, but I clearly remember my first visit in the hall around the turn of the millennium, so I checked their website: Historie: Randers Regnskov - Tropical Zoo)
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Currently I also don't know of one in Europe but in the 1980s the Wintergarden of the Reptile House at Antwerp ( which was at that time the entrance of the Reptile House ) used to have next to several free-roaming liards also should have housed free-roaming snakes. They were signed but I didn't make notes about the species and to be honest, I never saw one myself dispite intensive searching.
And then, of course, there was the infamous anaconda walkthrough at South Lakes
Sorry, the WHAT!?And then, of course, there was the infamous anaconda walkthrough at South Lakes
And then, of course, there was the infamous anaconda walkthrough at South Lakes
That one will be part of the sequel "Europe's 50 what the fück", including Pairi Daiza's gorilla volcanoes and every attempt of mixing lions and meerkats.
Melaka Butterfly Park in Malaysia has a walkthrough for (venomous) Mangrove Snakes.
Photo by @Chlidonias
Photo by @Chlidonias
Honestly, think up the most outlandish, ridiculous mix/walkthrough and chances are South Lakes did it at one point.
I’m gonna take a wild guess and assume this one happened pre David Gills resignation.
How long did this exhibit run for?On another note - and I apologize if we’re getting off topic - if we’re talking about some crazy mixed species exhibits I have to bring up the walkthrough aardwolf enclosure at the Bothongo Rhino and Lion Reserve in South Africa. Would be absolutely bonkers to see in the western world.
@NixAttachments
78. Snow leopard enclosure
Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie, UK
Opened: 2015
Size: 2000 square metres
Inhabitants: Snow leopard, markhor (rotational obviously)
There is no scarcity of amazing snow leopard enclosures in Europe. Apparently these charismatic cats inspire more zoos to great investments than a regular leopard does. A zoo like the Highland Wildlife Park profits from the amazing rocky and hilly landscape where it is situated. This is translated into one of the largest snow leopard enclosures on the continent, where perfect use is made of a steep rocky hillside, also giving the cats some great vistas to overlook. What sets this exhibit apart from all the other amazing snow leopard enclosures around is a little door in the fence. When the leopards are in their holding area, the markhor can get access to this enclosure, with their scent functioning as the perfect second best enrichment for a prey animal. These rotational exhibits are still very scarce in Europe, but offer great potential.
@Maguari
@gulogulogulo (when exhibit was under construction obviously)
@felis silvestris
@Mayki
Similar exhibits: With plenty of choice, there are five exhibits that get a special mention here. Naturally there is the famous exhibit in Zoo Zurich, Switzerland, which is actually the smallest of all mentioned here at 700 square metres, but very prettily landscaped. The Parc Animalier d’Auvergne, Ardes-sur-Couze, France also has a hilly spacious (1300 square metre) enclosure. In Sweden there are both Kolmarden Zoo and Nordens Ark, Hunnebosstrand, with breathtaking enclosures. Nordens Ark probably has the biggest altitude differences of all snow leopard exhibits and Kolmardens former polar bear exhibit is very spacious at 3000 square metres. Then finally there is a series of three spacious cages (together 1400 square metres) in Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki, Finland, which shows that even the old-fashioned cage design can work well for snow leopards. Zoos with fitting landscapes clearly have the advantage here.
Zoo Zurich
@antonmuster
Nordens Ark
@Thesweham
Kolmarden Zoo
@Dan
Korkeasaari Zoo Helsinki
@lintworm
Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie, UK
Opened: 2015
Size: 2000 square metres
Inhabitants: Snow leopard, markhor (rotational obviously)
There is no scarcity of amazing snow leopard enclosures in Europe. Apparently these charismatic cats inspire more zoos to great investments than a regular leopard does. A zoo like the Highland Wildlife Park profits from the amazing rocky and hilly landscape where it is situated. This is translated into one of the largest snow leopard enclosures on the continent, where perfect use is made of a steep rocky hillside, also giving the cats some great vistas to overlook. What sets this exhibit apart from all the other amazing snow leopard enclosures around is a little door in the fence. When the leopards are in their holding area, the markhor can get access to this enclosure, with their scent functioning as the perfect second best enrichment for a prey animal. These rotational exhibits are still very scarce in Europe, but offer great potential.
@Maguari
@gulogulogulo (when exhibit was under construction obviously)
@felis silvestris
@Mayki
Similar exhibits: With plenty of choice, there are five exhibits that get a special mention here. Naturally there is the famous exhibit in Zoo Zurich, Switzerland, which is actually the smallest of all mentioned here at 700 square metres, but very prettily landscaped. The Parc Animalier d’Auvergne, Ardes-sur-Couze, France also has a hilly spacious (1300 square metre) enclosure. In Sweden there are both Kolmarden Zoo and Nordens Ark, Hunnebosstrand, with breathtaking enclosures. Nordens Ark probably has the biggest altitude differences of all snow leopard exhibits and Kolmardens former polar bear exhibit is very spacious at 3000 square metres. Then finally there is a series of three spacious cages (together 1400 square metres) in Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki, Finland, which shows that even the old-fashioned cage design can work well for snow leopards. Zoos with fitting landscapes clearly have the advantage here.
Zoo Zurich
@antonmuster
Nordens Ark
@Thesweham
Kolmarden Zoo
@Dan
Korkeasaari Zoo Helsinki
@lintworm