Prague's and Plzen's panoramatic views from upper part of the zoo, nowadays one of the few reasons that really makes me climb the hills in these two
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
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Prague's and Plzen's panoramatic views from upper part of the zoo, nowadays one of the few reasons that really makes me climb the hills in these two
I'm really surprised about the missing of the Glass Tunnel at Zoo Thoiry. Though I've never been there this enclosures seems that bizarre that i thought it would have been a Must Include to this thread. And probably i would've guessed that the Tiger Tunnel at Zoo Schmiding comes up as similar one, because it's probably the closest of what a big cat walkthrough can be like.
I enjoy that the thread isn't finished right now. If you're thinking about another sequel i would propose something like Must See Mixed Exhibits (Though there would be some overlaps). But right for now. Thank you!
I enjoy that the thread isn't finished right now. If you're thinking about another sequel i would propose something like Must See Mixed Exhibits (Though there would be some overlaps). But right for now. Thank you!
He already said no sequel before/There is no sequel in the works or being planned currently and that is unlikely to change in the near future
Congratulations on an outstanding thread. I have not had a chance to read all the posts, partly because of time and partly because I was not notified of many, for some reason. I could not comment much, either, as I have only seen a handful of the exhibits mentioned. (I have only been to five European zoos in the last 20 years). However I do look forward to going back over the thread in detail, aided by the index!
I am proud there are four czech representatives!
I am however a bit surprised - not so much about Prague, but that there is Ostrava, while Zlin, Dvur and Pilsen (all of them usually placed over Ostrava...)
On the other hand I can see that while they are probably superb to Ostrava (which is nice zoo too!) as whole, they surprisingly may lack one or more single outstanding exposition (not that I have many comparison to them)?
EDIT: And I must thank lintworm for this interesting and great thread, of course!
Well it's not so much about the zoos but more about the exhibits. Dvur and Plzen are both present on Europe's 50 must see zoos thread, for good reasons. However, I don't think any of them has a standout exhibit that could fit the thread (although depending on how big an exhibit can be, I'd argue Plzen 20 more Dinopark aviaries could fit the thread).
Zlin is an excellent zoo but as it was discussed a bit earlier on the thread, it doesn't really have ONE incredibly unique exhibit, but the overall level is very high and I'd say the areas standout more than the exhibits themselves, the Japanese garden in Zlin is very nice and is a good transition between exhibits but it's not an exhibit itself.
Congratulations Lintworm for leading this project until the end, I can only join thanks adresses by other members.
I am quite happy with 57 "must-see exhibits" alone, without counting the potentially similar exhibits mentioned. Of course, the simple fact of visiting the biggest Dutch and German collections already make a nice bulk of the exhibits in a few days.
In these manner, it is very complementary to the other terrific thread about the 50 must see zoos in Europe and zoos that figure in both list should be in everyone wishlist!
I am quite happy with 57 "must-see exhibits" alone, without counting the potentially similar exhibits mentioned. Of course, the simple fact of visiting the biggest Dutch and German collections already make a nice bulk of the exhibits in a few days.
In these manner, it is very complementary to the other terrific thread about the 50 must see zoos in Europe and zoos that figure in both list should be in everyone wishlist!
Throwing bunch of rare species into average aviary isn't "must-see" at all
That's your opinion, it's definitely not a top pick but it could be my wild card in a top 100. For me it was a quite unique experience to see "too many" birds at once. That's why I wrote "I'd argue", because I know it's a very personal choice.
I am afraid you would be disappointed in Thoiry... The idea is nice, but the enclosures and glass tunnel really aren't the prettiest things on earth and I saw one very annoyed tiger, which was harassed by guests. So while it has some potential, the execution isn't great. The tiger tunnel in Schmiding also wasn't really too my taste with awkward viewing and low-quality mock rock. There are some good enclosures that have such a kind of viewing like in Wuppertal where there is a viewing area semi-underground in the lion enclosure:
@Maguari
The rocky outcrop in the enclosure has several viewing panels, with relatively often lions nearby.
Zlin should be a must-visit for anyone, but it lacks the standout enclosure, as do Dvur en Plzen. Plzen dit get a few honorary mentions here though, despite their main selling point being: cramming many species on limited space.
Ostrava still is hit and miss, though with every new development becomes more hit and less miss. I really liked that zoo and it has some stellar exhibitry.
If I would have considered cramming many species in a small space to get to a point of too many birds, I would have chosen the Pheasantry at Walsrode, which apart from the stellar collection is also nicely landscaped and has a very pleasant feel, even if some aviaries are too small and are all quite average individually.
Germany
Europe's largest zoo country still offers countless possibilities for inclusions in such a list, despite already having 29 exhibits that made the cut.
Starting in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which might be the most overlooked zoo region in the country. It hosts a very good all-round zoo with Rostock, a strong aquarium with the Ozeaneum in Stralsund (a second aquarium there is currently under renovation) and an interesting bird park with Marlow. All these have had their moment of fame in this thread, but the area offers more with several good smaller zoos, an interesting wildpark and Zoo Schwerin. Schwerin has some of the highest all-round enclosure quality of any German zoo, it is a pity it is relatively small. While most is good, but not special, their newest addition the Red List Centre is an interesting concept. Focused on endangered and non-endangered species and the red list concept a set of enclosures houses species from every IUCN category from partula snail to ostrich
@Animal
Another zoo that is easily overlooked because of its more shiny neighbour is Zoo Dresden. As an old city zoo it has the liberty not to follow any geographical concept and while relatively low-key it has produced some very good exhibits in the past twenty years. The Prof. Brandeshaus is basically a modern primate house with many extras like koala, Sunda gharial, tamandua and other small mammals, some birds and invertebrates. Enclosure quality is generally very high, but it is certainly not immersive. The modern architecture is functional yet stylish and as a zoo enthusiast it is very refreshing after all the carefully planned taxonomic or geographic houses.
@lintworm
@lintworm
The historic vulture cage here is also still good looking, even after existing basically unchanged for 100 years.
@LegoOwl
Nearby Zoo Leipzig is now known for its mostly implemented masterplan, but the many preserved brick dominated structures offer a glimpse into an interesting architectural style, almost absent from the rest of the continent. The elephant house and the bear castle (now a playground) are some of the most prominent examples.
@Animal
@Schlandro
On the other side of the country lies one of the finest medium-sized zoos of the continent: Naturzoo Rheine. Basically all exhibits are of a high quality, but lack a punch. The bird house is however quite a thing. It is small, but its main draw are the huge groups that are kept of some species in spacious aviaries, creating a visual spectacle. The shorebird aviary was already mentioned before, but the gigantic group of village weavers is also a sight to behold. This is one of those relatively simple, but highly effective small houses.
@Maguari
Another example of a small, but fine, bird house is located in Zoo Krefeld. Consisting only of five aviaries and some free-flying birds, this greenhouse is however still very nicely done and holds some rarities to boot.
@Maguari
@twilighter
Nearby ZOOM Gelsenkirchen is a budget version of Hannover. This makes for less grand theming, but often that works better for the animals. A highlight is one of the largest artificial sea lion enclosures around. And while the rock work and above-water viewing is not the best, an underwater tunnel more than makes up for that.
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
Overall small cats did not get many mentions in this thread, even though especially the native species do have some stunning enclosures. Most famous might the the European lynx valley in Zoo Dortmund
@FunkyGibbon
This one is however easily surpassed by the lynx enclosure in the Tierfreigelände I des Nationalparks Bayerischer Wald:
@lintworm
@lintworm
Needless to say, finding a lynx is almost down to pure luck, but an active lynx in here is an amazing sight.
Exotic cats are also getting some special attention in some places. Tiergarten Nürnberg has a good lynx enclosure, but the fishing cat enclosure is also very neat. This is a former spectacled bear enclosure, whose moat even allows for the cats to actually fish
@lintworm
Nürnberg really was unlucky to have "only" three enclosures on the list, as especially the bearded vulture aviary would not have misstood on the list either, this one did however already get an honorary mention, but I will show it once more, as this former brown bear pit is a thing of beauty with bobak marmots and smaller birds in with the vultures:
@lintworm
Somewhat further south the Tierpark Hellabrun is a zoo in a stunning location in riverine forest. The spacious ungulate enclosures are very pleasant to look at. Of which I already mentioned the mhor gazelle paddock, but other paddocks are also pieces of beauty. Around 2000 the zoo had a few flirts with modern architecture, not all of which were quite a success. The one that has aged best is probably the giant tortoise house, which also has a number of other ectotherms as well as naked mole rats
@Toddy
I am a big fan of historical buildings as well as botanical collections in zoos and nowhere is this combination as present as in the Wilhelma in Stuttgart. Although most of the plant greenhouses have little animal life, they are stunning in design. A few enclosures are integrated, like the parrots on the subtropical terraces and the new small mammal and bird house is also very strong botanically, even though enclosure are quite small. No pictures of this house are in the gallery yet, but I will visit in two weeks time, so hope to change that.
@Jogy
@Jogy
Europe's largest zoo country still offers countless possibilities for inclusions in such a list, despite already having 29 exhibits that made the cut.
Starting in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which might be the most overlooked zoo region in the country. It hosts a very good all-round zoo with Rostock, a strong aquarium with the Ozeaneum in Stralsund (a second aquarium there is currently under renovation) and an interesting bird park with Marlow. All these have had their moment of fame in this thread, but the area offers more with several good smaller zoos, an interesting wildpark and Zoo Schwerin. Schwerin has some of the highest all-round enclosure quality of any German zoo, it is a pity it is relatively small. While most is good, but not special, their newest addition the Red List Centre is an interesting concept. Focused on endangered and non-endangered species and the red list concept a set of enclosures houses species from every IUCN category from partula snail to ostrich
@Animal
Another zoo that is easily overlooked because of its more shiny neighbour is Zoo Dresden. As an old city zoo it has the liberty not to follow any geographical concept and while relatively low-key it has produced some very good exhibits in the past twenty years. The Prof. Brandeshaus is basically a modern primate house with many extras like koala, Sunda gharial, tamandua and other small mammals, some birds and invertebrates. Enclosure quality is generally very high, but it is certainly not immersive. The modern architecture is functional yet stylish and as a zoo enthusiast it is very refreshing after all the carefully planned taxonomic or geographic houses.
@lintworm
@lintworm
The historic vulture cage here is also still good looking, even after existing basically unchanged for 100 years.
@LegoOwl
Nearby Zoo Leipzig is now known for its mostly implemented masterplan, but the many preserved brick dominated structures offer a glimpse into an interesting architectural style, almost absent from the rest of the continent. The elephant house and the bear castle (now a playground) are some of the most prominent examples.
@Animal
@Schlandro
On the other side of the country lies one of the finest medium-sized zoos of the continent: Naturzoo Rheine. Basically all exhibits are of a high quality, but lack a punch. The bird house is however quite a thing. It is small, but its main draw are the huge groups that are kept of some species in spacious aviaries, creating a visual spectacle. The shorebird aviary was already mentioned before, but the gigantic group of village weavers is also a sight to behold. This is one of those relatively simple, but highly effective small houses.
@Maguari
Another example of a small, but fine, bird house is located in Zoo Krefeld. Consisting only of five aviaries and some free-flying birds, this greenhouse is however still very nicely done and holds some rarities to boot.
@Maguari
@twilighter
Nearby ZOOM Gelsenkirchen is a budget version of Hannover. This makes for less grand theming, but often that works better for the animals. A highlight is one of the largest artificial sea lion enclosures around. And while the rock work and above-water viewing is not the best, an underwater tunnel more than makes up for that.
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
Overall small cats did not get many mentions in this thread, even though especially the native species do have some stunning enclosures. Most famous might the the European lynx valley in Zoo Dortmund
@FunkyGibbon
This one is however easily surpassed by the lynx enclosure in the Tierfreigelände I des Nationalparks Bayerischer Wald:
@lintworm
@lintworm
Needless to say, finding a lynx is almost down to pure luck, but an active lynx in here is an amazing sight.
Exotic cats are also getting some special attention in some places. Tiergarten Nürnberg has a good lynx enclosure, but the fishing cat enclosure is also very neat. This is a former spectacled bear enclosure, whose moat even allows for the cats to actually fish
@lintworm
Nürnberg really was unlucky to have "only" three enclosures on the list, as especially the bearded vulture aviary would not have misstood on the list either, this one did however already get an honorary mention, but I will show it once more, as this former brown bear pit is a thing of beauty with bobak marmots and smaller birds in with the vultures:
@lintworm
Somewhat further south the Tierpark Hellabrun is a zoo in a stunning location in riverine forest. The spacious ungulate enclosures are very pleasant to look at. Of which I already mentioned the mhor gazelle paddock, but other paddocks are also pieces of beauty. Around 2000 the zoo had a few flirts with modern architecture, not all of which were quite a success. The one that has aged best is probably the giant tortoise house, which also has a number of other ectotherms as well as naked mole rats
@Toddy
I am a big fan of historical buildings as well as botanical collections in zoos and nowhere is this combination as present as in the Wilhelma in Stuttgart. Although most of the plant greenhouses have little animal life, they are stunning in design. A few enclosures are integrated, like the parrots on the subtropical terraces and the new small mammal and bird house is also very strong botanically, even though enclosure are quite small. No pictures of this house are in the gallery yet, but I will visit in two weeks time, so hope to change that.
@Jogy
@Jogy
A nice overview towards the end,an afterword if you like. I`m struck however,by the frequency with which you regard enclosures as "too small",even recent ones. Just as beauty is often in the eye of the beholder then enclosure dimensions are often a personal viewpoint....very few zoo enclosures approach the dimensions of wild territories,so the compromise for that is the provision of an animal`s needs within a smaller space,often much smaller. So,as the old English saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating"- how do animals actually live and breed under these circumstances? Its a case by case scenario,but one that cannot forget that the majority of animals are enclosed for visual consumption by visitors...such a case is the above lynx enclosure at Bayerischer Wald whereby a person would be fortunate to even see the eponymous cats.
I`m reminded of the wildpark at Gustrow where the unfortunate visitor might be lucky to see anything apart from the bears, so vast are the enclosures.
Knieriem`s new carnivore house at Berlin looked great to me and i failed to see that any animal appeared ill at ease due to the size of the enclosures...or is it that the Meerkats should be given the Lion enclosure? Its now a fairly old cliche that"no enclosure is big enough",its a cliche i think is wrong and fails to take into account why the vast majority of zoo animals are in captivity. Long live Budapest...and the Eismeerpanorama in Hamburg or Halle`s Big Cat House...let Copenhagens Arctic Ring show all those muddy fields and dirty Polar Bears the way home(sorry Doug) - I could go on and on but long live zoos that look like zoos!
I`m reminded of the wildpark at Gustrow where the unfortunate visitor might be lucky to see anything apart from the bears, so vast are the enclosures.
Knieriem`s new carnivore house at Berlin looked great to me and i failed to see that any animal appeared ill at ease due to the size of the enclosures...or is it that the Meerkats should be given the Lion enclosure? Its now a fairly old cliche that"no enclosure is big enough",its a cliche i think is wrong and fails to take into account why the vast majority of zoo animals are in captivity. Long live Budapest...and the Eismeerpanorama in Hamburg or Halle`s Big Cat House...let Copenhagens Arctic Ring show all those muddy fields and dirty Polar Bears the way home(sorry Doug) - I could go on and on but long live zoos that look like zoos!
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Having revisited the aforementioned collection - and hence seen the exhibit area in question - only a fortnight ago, I would argue you're doing the Pheasantry a major disservice by dismissing it as "cramming many species in a small space to get to a point of too many birds"
I don't think ANY of the aviaries were crowded in the slightest, and given the fact most if not all contain full indoor housing rather than "just" nestboxes I think they provide rather more space than you credit!@TeaLovingDave I am not specialist about bird husbandry but I was shocked to see hornbills housed in such small aviaries. Not that it lack so much space on the ground but because of the lack of height (2meters 30 I would say) for species that are mostly canopy dwellers. That is definitely okay for all the pheasants and cracids housed and passerines as well, but not for hornbills in my opinion (and their collection is phenomenal!).
I tend to agree with Lintworm standards of space and if you noticed, he did mention under the huge tiger enclosures the same concern as you that is if an enclosure could be too big for the visitors.
Bayerischer Wald is very popular amongst photographers for the very good reason it is not a zoo that looks like a zoo. From what I have seen, you have very reasonable chances of seing the lynxs if you pass there multiple times or wait several hours, especially at the end of the day. Everyone might not be ready to do that but I disagree with your statement that zoos should limit the space of enclosures so that visitors can "consume" animals on a plate. Searching, waiting, coming back later in the day or even another day and finally seeing it appearing among the vegetation makes the salt of visiting those places. Of course, each zoo should make sure that at then end of the day, visitors managed to see some animals but that is fine if they have not seen all of them and those mysterious inhabitants are the icing on the cake for the few fortunate visitors. Personally, I will stay with the dirty polar bears !
I tend to agree with Lintworm standards of space and if you noticed, he did mention under the huge tiger enclosures the same concern as you that is if an enclosure could be too big for the visitors.
Bayerischer Wald is very popular amongst photographers for the very good reason it is not a zoo that looks like a zoo. From what I have seen, you have very reasonable chances of seing the lynxs if you pass there multiple times or wait several hours, especially at the end of the day. Everyone might not be ready to do that but I disagree with your statement that zoos should limit the space of enclosures so that visitors can "consume" animals on a plate. Searching, waiting, coming back later in the day or even another day and finally seeing it appearing among the vegetation makes the salt of visiting those places. Of course, each zoo should make sure that at then end of the day, visitors managed to see some animals but that is fine if they have not seen all of them and those mysterious inhabitants are the icing on the cake for the few fortunate visitors. Personally, I will stay with the dirty polar bears !
Part of the debate and probably quite a big part of it stems from personal background. I am not calling you old, but the age difference plays a big role here I imagine, you grew up in a completely different zoo landscape than I did. I basically grew up in Burgers' Zoo (even if my (probably) oldest conscious memories are from the original Berlin Zoo carnivore house and its panda at some point in the 90s) and now work as a field ecologist (previously in Africa, now in Europe). Of the nearly 1400 bird species I have seen in captivity, nearly 500 I have also seen in the wild, just as I have seen many mammals both in zoos and in the wild. Seeing such animals in the wild gives a completely different dimension and more and more I am looking for this wild feeling in zoos. As much as I do appreciate and love historic zoo buildings (Schönbrunn is still one of my favourite zoos), seeing hornbills actually flying large distances and monkeys frolicking in tree canopies does much more for me than seeing them in smaller artificial cages. Keeping jaguars on 300 square metres doesn't fit at all in such a narrative (Zoo Berlin...), nor does keeping polar bears on 1000 square metres (Copenhagen), impressive as these enclosures might be as zoo structures. Give me the new jaguar enclosure in Zlin anyday or your dirty polar bears (as long as viewing options are good).
I completely agree with you that there is a balance between size and being a good zoo exhibit. Impressive as they are I would argue that the lynx exhibit in Bayerische Wald is a great enclosure, but a not a great exhibit, stunning as it is (which might make it must-see), but with hardly a chance of seeing a cat. Seeing animals is still the core business and I do not understand the idea in Parc des Felins to create a 10 hectare lion enclosure either... To get that balance right is pretty hard, but many zoos seem to be able to find a compromise. This can be in multi-species mega aviaries like in Doué. or in good viewpoints dotted around a natural enclosure like the tigers in Kristiansand or offer extremely stimulating environments like the elephants in Zürich. When Burgers' Zoo released 3 hornbills in the Bush a few years back, these birds could hardly fly, because their muscles were adapted to small cages, but within a few months they built up that muscle and they fly multiple kilometres in one go, which if you are lucky enough to observe it is a stunning spectacle. Such natural spectacles is what more zoos should strive for in my opinion.
Having revisited the aforementioned collection - and hence seen the exhibit area in question - only a fortnight ago, I would argue you're doing the Pheasantry a major disservice by dismissing it as "cramming many species in a small space to get to a point of too many birds"
Maybe I should have worded myself more carefully. I don't think any of these aviaries are overcrowded (even if some are full). The "too many birds" feeling goes for the section as a whole. Even walking along that single path can give a sensory overload given the amount of bird species (and rarities) held on a relatively limited space. And then there is still the rest of Walsrode to explore....
Very briefly,as Ive business to attend to...it is probably a truism to say that age is a factor in a liking for zoos. I come from an era when species diversity was king and it was seen as a worthy boast that only this zoo had that species and only another zoo had that species. I fully realise that things have massively changed from those days and sometimes i have to fight against my basic instincts from the past. There is room certainly for those enclosures that somehow represent the wild more accurately, but let us be aware of the reason that most animals are there. Like it or not they are there to be seen by a paying customer(mostly)..and it is that audience which ultimately must be swayed towards the natural world and its preservation. For all the science and conservational work zoos must light the touchpaper of enthusiasm with the large audiences they attract....in that respect city zoos are probably our greatest asset.
Some of the exhibits here aren't the best. They was mentioned in the thread because of their uniqueness and therefor i've mentioned theme. By Schmiding, i totally agree with the things you criticize and i didn't like it therefor some time ago . But now i like it because of different reason. You must be lucky enough to see a tiger right in front of the viewing points to understand. The fake rock isn't pretty, but he does his job. The only stimulus you got is from the viewing points, so you are much less diverted... I've never heard the breathing of a tiger as clear as in the tunnel and you can smell the animal way better than in other tiger enclosures.
The giant tortoise house at Tierpark Hellabrunn hasn't housed naked mole rats for more than ten years. Speaking of Hellabrunn(sic): its elephant house might be of similar zoo-historical relevance as its counterpart at Zoo Budapest.
@remar Considering that you have a bit of a soft spot for Schmiding, I understand that you want to jump into the breach for it, but...all olfactory & visual tiger options aside, it is a zoo that could do better. Especially when it comes to paying its staff.
@remar Considering that you have a bit of a soft spot for Schmiding, I understand that you want to jump into the breach for it, but...all olfactory & visual tiger options aside, it is a zoo that could do better. Especially when it comes to paying its staff.
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It's very impressive, and it is certainly in a far better condition than the one in Budapest.
Both date from the same era (1912 - Budapest and 1914 - Munich).
The elephant house in Munich is much more spacious but then again the one in Budapest is far much richer in decoration, due to the Secessionist style (even with some Moorish influences) in which it is built.
Both are must sees for zoo enthusiasts, with a slight preference for the one in Budapest.