Just a thought, does anyone know if Budapest still has the boa walk through?
image from gallery below
Bizarre Boa Walkthrough at Budapest 08/09/2003 - ZooChat
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
Just a thought, does anyone know if Budapest still has the boa walk through?
image from gallery below
Bizarre Boa Walkthrough at Budapest 08/09/2003 - ZooChat
Platypusboy
Well-Known Member
The snow leopards at Helsinki zoo actually only have two smaller enclosures now with Amur leopards living in those enclosures.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
I really hope this is a serious foreshadowing of your next thread or else i'll be disappointed.
Didn't they also put bears and otters and every possible south america mammal in one exhibit?
Giving a feline who lives in the Himalayans a rocky hillside? who would've thought!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
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
From what I have gathered in this thread, Europe's zoos do most things better than America's zoos 
It does make me wonder what innovations were made in the zoos here in the states, as well as those in Asia, Australia, and South America. Thanks for the great thread, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with this project. You've given me more travel destinations than I can possibly visit in one lifetime.
It does make me wonder what innovations were made in the zoos here in the states, as well as those in Asia, Australia, and South America. Thanks for the great thread, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with this project. You've given me more travel destinations than I can possibly visit in one lifetime.
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
I’m gonna take a wild guess and assume this one happened pre David Gills resignation.
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.
View attachment 547247 @Nix
You are right about SL, although it changed after animals like the tapir got stressed and a capuchin apparently was killed by a bear.
It's great to see SIX exhibits for snow leopards highlighted in the latest post. North American zoos are far behind when it comes to snow leopards, with zoos such as Bronx, Central Park and a few others the only top-notch enclosures for the species on the continent. However, there is nothing on the scale of the six exhibits represented here. I saw the Zurich habitat when I visited that zoo in 2003 and it was astonishing back then, but in many ways it has been surpassed since. Wow!
Sssshhhhhh, don't feed their egos or you'll invoke the European zoo superiority complexes.From what I have gathered in this thread, Europe's zoos do most things better than America's zoos
Once this thread has some time to breath I'll have to tell you sometime
.
Both europe and america have good and bad zoos with good and bad exhibits. Some exhibit showcase here do have its american counterpart(s).From what I have gathered in this thread, Europe's zoos do most things better than America's zoos
Very late respons but evenso ( hopefully ) intresting. Came along this discription of Rotterdams Okapi aviary :
ZooLex Exhibit - Congo Forest - Birds and Okapis
That walkthrough was discontinued within 2 years of its inception according to the comments below the picture
Thanks, that must be a recent change then? Big upgrade for the Amur leopards.
There is no sequel in the works or being planned currently and that is unlikely to change in the near future
From what I have gathered in this thread, Europe's zoos do most things better than America's zoos
I cannot comment on the quality of individual US zoos, as I haven't visited any. But I can make some general statements:
- Europe has far more zoos than the US, this automatically means there is a bigger chance something unique will appear somewhere.
- Europe consists of dozens of countries, with even more cultural differences than countries (just ask the Swiss
), this also means that human-animal relationships are viewed completely differently across the continent, with many countries having a zoo culture with unique characteristics. An average Scandinavian zoos is so different from a typical Spanish zoo, as is a Czech from a French zoo etc. These between-country differences are just not there in the US (even as states can differ quite a lot in their attitude)- There is a lot more zoo history in Europe, with the first European zoo being founded roughly 100 years prior to the first US zoo. This means there are a ton more historic zoo buildings and automatically means that many early innovations come from Europe.
That doesn't mean there hasn't been any innovation in the US. When it comes to immersion and cultural theming, US zoos have been on the foreground and European zoos have played catching up. The same probably goes for aquariums, with mega aquariums being a more prominent feature in the US. US zoos also in general have the luxury of much higher budgets (and donations), which offers possibilities, but sometimes seems more geared towards visitor amenities than in Europe (at least from a distance).
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
I see... I also suppose I shouldn't derail this thread.Sssshhhhhh, don't feed their egos or you'll invoke the European zoo superiority complexes.
Once this thread has some time to breath I'll have to tell you sometime
That walkthrough was discontinued within 2 years of its inception according to the comments below the picture
Thanks, that must be a recent change then? Big upgrade for the Amur leopards.
There is no sequel in the works or being planned currently and that is unlikely to change in the near future
I cannot comment on the quality of individual US zoos, as I haven't visited any. But I can make some general statements:
- Europe has far more zoos than the US, this automatically means there is a bigger chance something unique will appear somewhere.
- Europe consists of dozens of countries, with even more cultural differences than countries (just ask the Swiss
- There is a lot more zoo history in Europe, with the first European zoo being founded roughly 100 years prior to the first US zoo. This means there are a ton more historic zoo buildings and automatically means that many early innovations come from Europe.
That doesn't mean there hasn't been any innovation in the US. When it comes to immersion and cultural theming, US zoos have been on the foreground and European zoos have played catching up. The same probably goes for aquariums, with mega aquariums being a more prominent feature in the US. US zoos also in general have the luxury of much higher budgets (and donations), which offers possibilities, but sometimes seems more geared towards visitor amenities than in Europe (at least from a distance).
Thanks, I suppose I didn't really consider the aspect of how much bigger Europe is than the US. It is an interesting comparison now that I think about it.
79. Masoala
Zoo Zurich, Switzerland
Opened: 2003:
Size 1.1 hectares
Inhabitants: Wide array of mostly Malagasy species including red ruffed lemurs, pitta-like ground roller, Madagascar crested ibis, panther chameleon, Aldabra giant tortoise and more.
If there is one European exhibit synonymous with sheer quality and must-see status it is this rainforest greenhouse. Its conception began more than a decade before construction was finished and included a direct partnership between the zoo and the Malagasy government. Apart from its husbandry milestones, the integration with local conservation projects set this exhibit apart from its contemporaries. Zurich remains a European front-runner when it comes to supporting in-situ conservation, but fortunately the practice of linking exhibits with conservation projects is now becoming more common. The rainforest exhibit itself is a triumph too, the maximum height of 30 metres allows abundant tree growth and with only one main path there is no feeling of an overcrowded hall or any cross-viewing. A tree-top view at 18 metres height, added in 2013, is another great feature and allows good views of the canopy dwellers like parrots, flying foxes and bee-eaters. With only one species confined to an exhibit (Aldabra giant tortoise), there is a wide array of lemurs, birds, reptiles and amphibians free-ranging. More than other large rainforest halls it is possible to also find smaller critters like day geckos, chameleons, hinge-bellied tortoises, leaf-tailed geckos and girdled lizards free-ranging. The stars of the hall are however the red ruffed lemurs, which with patience can always be located somewhere and are often active jumping through the canopy. By focusing solely on Malagasy species Zurich set itself up for a difficult task, as especially Malagasy birds are hard to source. Although many species were imported successfully, only a few species actually thrive in large numbers. This means that 3 bird species (Madagascar turtle dove, Madagascar partridge and red fody, the latter two not even rainforest species) dominate the hall and diversity has been going downwards slightly with more and more non-Malagasy species brought in. This is a pity, but probably unavoidable. What is probably Europe’s best representation of a rainforest is however a somewhat Swiss interpretation, being rather clean and with little opportunity to go exploring all by yourself, as the adventure trails can only be accessed with a guide. Nonetheless the main path and viewing tower provide ample opportunity to find wildlife in near-wild circumstances and despite its nearly 20 years, this remains one of the absolute best exhibits worldwide.
@antonmuster
@Gil
@FunkyGibbon
@aim_folikstra
@Animal
@Maguari
@Mayki
Similar exhibits: none
Zoo Zurich, Switzerland
Opened: 2003:
Size 1.1 hectares
Inhabitants: Wide array of mostly Malagasy species including red ruffed lemurs, pitta-like ground roller, Madagascar crested ibis, panther chameleon, Aldabra giant tortoise and more.
If there is one European exhibit synonymous with sheer quality and must-see status it is this rainforest greenhouse. Its conception began more than a decade before construction was finished and included a direct partnership between the zoo and the Malagasy government. Apart from its husbandry milestones, the integration with local conservation projects set this exhibit apart from its contemporaries. Zurich remains a European front-runner when it comes to supporting in-situ conservation, but fortunately the practice of linking exhibits with conservation projects is now becoming more common. The rainforest exhibit itself is a triumph too, the maximum height of 30 metres allows abundant tree growth and with only one main path there is no feeling of an overcrowded hall or any cross-viewing. A tree-top view at 18 metres height, added in 2013, is another great feature and allows good views of the canopy dwellers like parrots, flying foxes and bee-eaters. With only one species confined to an exhibit (Aldabra giant tortoise), there is a wide array of lemurs, birds, reptiles and amphibians free-ranging. More than other large rainforest halls it is possible to also find smaller critters like day geckos, chameleons, hinge-bellied tortoises, leaf-tailed geckos and girdled lizards free-ranging. The stars of the hall are however the red ruffed lemurs, which with patience can always be located somewhere and are often active jumping through the canopy. By focusing solely on Malagasy species Zurich set itself up for a difficult task, as especially Malagasy birds are hard to source. Although many species were imported successfully, only a few species actually thrive in large numbers. This means that 3 bird species (Madagascar turtle dove, Madagascar partridge and red fody, the latter two not even rainforest species) dominate the hall and diversity has been going downwards slightly with more and more non-Malagasy species brought in. This is a pity, but probably unavoidable. What is probably Europe’s best representation of a rainforest is however a somewhat Swiss interpretation, being rather clean and with little opportunity to go exploring all by yourself, as the adventure trails can only be accessed with a guide. Nonetheless the main path and viewing tower provide ample opportunity to find wildlife in near-wild circumstances and despite its nearly 20 years, this remains one of the absolute best exhibits worldwide.
@antonmuster
@Gil
@FunkyGibbon
@aim_folikstra
@Animal
@Maguari
@Mayki
Similar exhibits: none
80. Antelope house
Zoo Berlin, Germany
Opened: 1872
Size: 1900 square metres (+ 5500 square metres of outdoor enclosures)
Inhabitants: Giraffe, gerenuk, Kafue lechwe, sitatunga, defassa waterbuck
This building in the Moorish style was inspired by the latest creations in Antwerp in a time when oriental architecture was the main craze. It is one of the largest buildings created during the large overhaul of the Berlin zoo at that time and one of the few structures of that time that survived into the present day. The original building had 21 outdoor enclosures, which has now been reduced to five. In those small paddocks an amazing array of rare species has lived including quagga and the only two mountain nyala that ever made it out of Ethiopia. Nowadays zoo nerds will have to be content with gerenuk for their rarity list. The building itself is still as splendid as it used to be. It has seen several major renovations, particularly after being bombed in WW2, and palms can now finally survive in the central greenhouse. The fantastic mural at the entrance is a clear highlight, but the building both inside and outside is an homage to the exotic fashion in 19th century zoo architecture.
@Maguari
@snowleopard
@kiang
@snowleopard
@lintworm
@Paul Kalisch
Similar exhibits: The Moorish temple in Zoo Antwerp, Belgium, from 1871 is another great example from that time and currently houses okapi. Designwise, but from a slightly later era, the 1910 antelope house of Zoo Basel, Switzerland, is clearly inspired by the Berlin house. Before director Bodinus came to Berlin, he did already show his love for Moorish architecture in the 1863 elephant house in Cologne, now only housing birds, a single black rhino, red river hogs and soon lemurs.
Zoo Antwerp:
@KevinB
@Hipporex
Zoo Basel
@lintworm
@Baldur
@lintworm
Koelner Zoo
@Tim May
Zoo Berlin, Germany
Opened: 1872
Size: 1900 square metres (+ 5500 square metres of outdoor enclosures)
Inhabitants: Giraffe, gerenuk, Kafue lechwe, sitatunga, defassa waterbuck
This building in the Moorish style was inspired by the latest creations in Antwerp in a time when oriental architecture was the main craze. It is one of the largest buildings created during the large overhaul of the Berlin zoo at that time and one of the few structures of that time that survived into the present day. The original building had 21 outdoor enclosures, which has now been reduced to five. In those small paddocks an amazing array of rare species has lived including quagga and the only two mountain nyala that ever made it out of Ethiopia. Nowadays zoo nerds will have to be content with gerenuk for their rarity list. The building itself is still as splendid as it used to be. It has seen several major renovations, particularly after being bombed in WW2, and palms can now finally survive in the central greenhouse. The fantastic mural at the entrance is a clear highlight, but the building both inside and outside is an homage to the exotic fashion in 19th century zoo architecture.
@Maguari
@snowleopard
@kiang
@snowleopard
@lintworm
@Paul Kalisch
Similar exhibits: The Moorish temple in Zoo Antwerp, Belgium, from 1871 is another great example from that time and currently houses okapi. Designwise, but from a slightly later era, the 1910 antelope house of Zoo Basel, Switzerland, is clearly inspired by the Berlin house. Before director Bodinus came to Berlin, he did already show his love for Moorish architecture in the 1863 elephant house in Cologne, now only housing birds, a single black rhino, red river hogs and soon lemurs.
Zoo Antwerp:
@KevinB
@Hipporex
Zoo Basel
@lintworm
@Baldur
@lintworm
Koelner Zoo
@Tim May
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
80. Antelope house
Zoo Berlin, Germany
Opened: 1872
Size: 1900 square metres (+ 5500 square metres of outdoor enclosures)
Inhabitants: Giraffe, gerenuk, Kafue lechwe, sitatunga, defassa waterbuck
This building in the Moorish style was inspired by the latest creations in Antwerp in a time when oriental architecture was the main craze. It is one of the largest buildings created during the large overhaul of the Berlin zoo at that time and one of the few structures of that time that survived into the present day. The original building had 21 outdoor enclosures, which has now been reduced to five. In those small paddocks an amazing array of rare species has lived including quagga and the only two mountain nyala that ever made it out of Ethiopia. Nowadays zoo nerds will have to be content with gerenuk for their rarity list. The building itself is still as splendid as it used to be. It has seen several major renovations, particularly after being bombed in WW2, and palms can now finally survive in the central greenhouse. The fantastic mural at the entrance is a clear highlight, but the building both inside and outside is an homage to the exotic fashion in 19th century zoo architecture.
@Maguari
@snowleopard
@kiang
@snowleopard
@lintworm
@Paul Kalisch
Similar exhibits: The Moorish temple in Zoo Antwerp, Belgium, from 1871 is another great example from that time and currently houses okapi. Designwise, but from a slightly later era, the 1910 antelope house of Zoo Basel, Switzerland, is clearly inspired by the Berlin house. Before director Bodinus came to Berlin, he did already show his love for Moorish architecture in the 1863 elephant house in Cologne, now only housing birds, a single black rhino, red river hogs and soon lemurs.
Zoo Antwerp:
@KevinB
@Hipporex
Zoo Basel
@lintworm
@Baldur
@lintworm
Koelner Zoo
@Tim May
I love the old-fashioned architecture of these sorts of houses. They remind me of the cat house at the Jardin Des Plantes which still holds leopards, snow leopards and some smaller species, although in my opinion the enclosures are too small.
One of my biggest regrets on my 2017 visit was that I did not have time to go in this house, everything was seen outside so I didn't bother!!.
I went in the Cologne house the following year, which was terrible by comparison!! Should not even be compared!!
I went in the Cologne house the following year, which was terrible by comparison!! Should not even be compared!!
Checking my copies of the 1938 and 1939 guidebooks, the following species are cited:
Mountain Nyala
Lowland Nyala
Greater Kudu
Lesser Kudu
Black Wildebeest
White-bearded Wildebeest
Giant Eland
Rothchild's Giraffe
Kafue Lechwe
Cape Hartebeest
Coke's Hartebeest
Sable Antelope
Gemsbok
Beisa Oryx
Addax (1938 only)
Ellipsen Waterbuck
Blue Duiker (1939 only)
Lesser Mouse Deer (1939 only)
Giant Panda (1939 only)
The lattermost of these was a temporary exhibit in March and April 1939, located within the central hall of the Antelope House, which took place when the first individual of the species to be displayed in Europe toured several collections throughout the continent - from memory, these were Tierpark Hellabrunn, Zoo Leipzig, Zoo Berlin, Zoo Köln, Zoo Hannover, Paris Vincennes, Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo, not necessarily in this order.
The Panda is my favorite typ of antilope