It is indeed. One of Europe's best. The only really out-of-date looking area now is the Elephant/Hippo House, a replacement for which will be starting construction in the coming months.
Small groups of males of both species (some of them quite young, as with the Sitatunga in the foreground here). The groups of females for each are held elsewhere in the zoo - I guess the males are moved in when their, ahem, 'services' are required.
Quite possibly my favorite European zoo, and remarkable for having survived--and in a few short years thereafter thrived--despite suffering an unbelievable and tragic flood in 2003. Fascinating collections, particularly turtles and lizards, beautiful grounds, and some extraordinary exhibits, plus a fantastic history of breeding and conservation support reaching back to the period before the Iron Curtain straight through to today.
And it is located in one of the world's most beautiful cities. I can't wait to return.
Fascinating collections, particularly turtles and lizards, beautiful grounds, and some extraordinary exhibits, plus a fantastic history of breeding and conservation support reaching back to the period before the Iron Curtain straight through to today.
I have a list of the one I took (often quite dubious) photos of - my travelling companion has a full list he will be compiling but he's expecting the turtles to take a while! I'll dig out my notes this evening.
To my understanding main purpose of this exhibit is stopgap place for young males born in the zoo till they find their homes in other zoos. In addition it is a part of "Water World" swamp-like area of the zoo exhibiting water-linked species and animals for which water is a natural barrier (spider monkeys, colubus ...).
