Thank you for the comprehensive photo collection from a zoo I've been very curious about since it opened a few years ago. For the most part it looks like a pretty incredible place, with a great animal collection.
I have heard reports that attendance at the Bioparc is well below what was projected/hoped for. This would not surprise me given the world economy and decline in tourism. Was there any evidence of how the zoo has been impacted?
Here is a 2009 quote from "America's Best Zoos" author Allen Nyhuis, and he has visited around 240 different zoos and aquariums: "On its eastern Mediterranean coast, in Spain's third-largest city, this was probably the most beautiful and natural zoo I’ve ever seen! This status is probably due to the fact that it was just built, using all of the latest technology, and in fact it only opened a year earlier, in 2008."
Thank you for the comprehensive photo collection from a zoo I've been very curious about since it opened a few years ago. For the most part it looks like a pretty incredible place, with a great animal collection.
I really enjoyed it - almost all the animals were very visible, the exhibits were (mostly) very well-sized (sometimes an issue when exhibits are so heavily-themed) and the theming was generally nicely done, with some good attention to detail.
The little niggling problems:
- the lawns - as discussed elsewhere, a golfing fairway does take the edge off a supposedly naturalistic exhibit
- The Rules - every zoo has rules, and indeed every zoo should have rules, but here The Rules were ever-present - the largest sign at the entrance to each indoor area related The Rules for that area, and two rather stern looking women in uniform (examples of what Hercule Poirot would call femmes formidables that we dubbed the Zoo Police) strolled the pathways enforcing The Rules without mercy. There was no food from outside to be brought in, for example, and they were opening bags to check. Just felt The Rules were a little too ever-present.
- the gorilla viewing area that was suddenly entirely unthemed - was this where the money ran out? Suddenly it's just flat concrete and metal-framed windows and it just looks like they haven't finished.
- one or two exhibits had rather limited viewing (the Common Hippos had very little non-underwater viewing, and the camel area was just bizarre!) but again, that's a factor of the layout they've chosen.
I think it can be summed up as - very nice, but I'm glad all zoos aren't like that. I think this type of zoo is much more enjoyable in moderation!
I have heard reports that attendance at the Bioparc is well below what was projected/hoped for. This would not surprise me given the world economy and decline in tourism. Was there any evidence of how the zoo has been impacted?
I've heard the same rumours. The main effect on the zoo seems to be that the planned South American and Asian areas have yet to appear - it's Africa all the way. It was busy the day we were there, but this was a Saturday in May.
I don't think it will ever be my favourite, but it's a very fine example of this style of zoo.
