Regarding my last weekend's first visit at this Zoo, I must point out how much I've enjoyed this facility and my time there. My rather low expectations of a small privately owned Zoo were exceeded by the fairly modern, species appropriate and nicely arranged enclosures, inhabiting an interesting and diverse collection of animals, you would rather expect to see in a big city zoo, than in a smaller facility such as Braunschweig's "Arche Noah" Zoo.
Besides the big cats, who are represented by Siberian tigers and cheetahs, a lot of several callitrichidae species are being kept, aswell as several exotic birds and overall a good amount of exotic animals, who can be seen in lush enclosures, such as the Asian small-clawed otter. In regard of the exotic birds I must emphasize the Asian forest house, which is a small annex to the stable for Bactrian camels, which is being called home by several Asian bird species like the Bali starlings, Palawan peacock-pheasants, crested partridges and fruit doves. Said animal house is very pleasantly set up, for the animals just as much as for the visitors, which invites one sit and dwell in a warm enviorement while watching the birds.
Yet another animal house was the true highlight of my visit, despite it being not finished and missing it's highlight. The future lion house has already been standing for several years and is inhabited by an even more diverse and interesting set of animals. An aviary beside the house, with a visible indoor enclosure, is home to grey parrots, masked lovebirds, ground squirrels, Kenya guineafowl and Bush hyraxes. As if the inhabitants themselves were not interesting enough, the aviary is also a walkthrough-aviary with the possibility to feed the the animals, making this experience one of my visit's highlights.
On the other side of the house is an enclosure for dwarf mongoose and tortoises, aswell as a terrarium for king pythons. The Senegal galagos not even mentioned, the house is already without the lions a real higlight, which will only gain appeal with a spacious lion indoor and outdoor enclosure, including a tunnel through the planned outdoor enclosure, which i was able to spot peeking through a fence onto the construction site.
Overall I am really delighted by such an interesting and modern facility. The enclosure design, aswell as the inhabitants of said enclsoures are really compelling through and through, with several highlights, especially the Asian and African animal houses. The development of the Zoo is just as promising and i am really looking forward to another visit when the new lion exhibit is finished, but already now this Zoo is most definetly worth a visit.
After all it doesnt really fell like a "Small Zoo", but more like a real Zoo in smaller.