And the new masterplan for the coming 25 years has been presented
Some of the major changes:
- In the area in front of the new entrance up to the current Africa house (hippo & zebra stable) several (4) domes will be constructed for a variety of tropical species, including manatees, gharials and corals. The outdoor section will be gardens about local biodiversity.
- The extension zone behind the second entrance (now behind the scenes area) will become the site of a savanna with giraffes, zebra, ostrich, common hippo and antelope. Additionally enclosures for South African fur seal (new species) and African penguin (already at the zoo) will be built.
- The Sautergarten (the area currently holding e.g. rhinos, snow leopards, African penguin, pygmy hippo) will be netted over for birds and be completely Asian themed. Snow leopards & long-tailed macaques will leave the zoo permanently, the pygmy hippo and African penguin will be relocated. It seems like Malayan tapir and some other Asian hoofstock will be added here too.
- The current lower part of the zoo with the children's zoo will get a large forest house with okapi & pygmy hippo. Additionally it seems like the lesser kudu will move to the current sable antelope enclosure in the near future.
- The current antelope house (giraffes, lesser kudu, okapi) will be used as the new children's zoo.
- The cheetahs and African wild dogs will move towards the entrance towards where the zebra & common hippo are kept now. Both species will get more space. The site of the current African wild dog enclosure has a crocodile sign, so there will likely be a summer enclosure for crocodiles there.
- The Californian sea lions will leave the zoo and their historic enclosure will be remodelled for Malayan sun bears.
- Species like NA tree porcupine, bison, European mouflon, reindeer, wild boar & coypu will also leave the zoo.
- The first projects will be the new lesser kudu enclosure (also for other small unspecified antelopes) and a new kea aviary (unclear where), as well a a renovation of the administration building (behind the lesser kudu)
Zentrum der Artenvielfalt mitten in der Stadt: Masterplan «Zolli 2049» mit Umsetzungsstart Ende 2024