muskox2262
Well-Known Member
Zájezd is usually willing to let u bts and Krokodyli zoo Praha have some very rare tortoise species bts and they say even on their website that if you mention that you want to see them, they will let u in.
Czech zoo trip planning advice
- Thread starter Cobi
- Start date
Late fall and winter does sound a bit disadvantageous for a zoo visit…
Not late fall actually, from late summer/early fall to winter even in the next year
According to their facebook, it already is open (though some exhibits aren´t finished yet and post mention something about reconstruction of whole building during winter)
Only visited three of the places listed so won't be of too much help but could you clarify what you mean by the above?
I wanted to phrase it like "[...] to never set foot in these again", I left out the again by error, what I mean is that since I want to look at as many animals as I possibly can I'm willing to go there once for an extended period of time to never go again.
Hopefully this gets attention so I don't have to create a new thread...
Hello everyone, I will (finally) be in Czech Republic during this fall and winter until the new year and beyond, I won't disclose here how much time I'll stay, but I'll say it is a VERY generous amount of time and I'll most likely visit neighbouring countries as well during the holidays, with particular interest in Germany, Poland, Austria and perhaps even Slovakia.
I have therefore made a list of institutions and collections that I intend to visit and another list on which I have doubts or questions and I'd like Your help with those.
Any other tip or suggestion is very much welcome.
I will say that I intend to visit the bigger zoos on multiple days, going even more than 2 days if necessary, as this will be my first time I visit without pesky companions who rush me to the end because there wouldn't be any second day at the zoo.
I'm also very much open to meetups and group visits, but I won't promise I won't squeal like a rodent for the excitement as it's been more than 3 years since my last zoo visit, have visited very few zoos in my life and I'll probably go on zoo overdose.
With these disclaimers and info-dump, here's the lists I've made of collections I intend to visit:
EAZA-accredited zoos:
Praha Zoo
Zoological and Botanical garden Plzen (including AkvaTerra)
Zlín Zoo
Druv Kralovre Safari Park
Zoo Ustì nad Labem
Zoopark Chomutov
Zoo Decin
Zoo Liberec
Zoo Ostrava
Zoo Hodonin
Zoo Brno
Zoo Jilhava
Zoo Hluboka
Zoo Oloumuc
Other collections:
Botanical Garden Liberec
Prague National Museum
Crocodile Zoo Prague and Protivin: I've seen photos of these 2 collections and they don't seem to be good, but I'd be willing to spend a lengthy evening to never set foot in these.
Morsky svet zoo: this seems like one of the few places in the whole Country to have an extensive (and its only draw) collection of saltwater fish and other fish taxa, but from the gallery it seems an overstacked live fish store, though of course my judgement only comes through the lenses of others, so any dismissal of my thought with a reassuring comment would be most appreciated.
Terarium Praha: this place has a rather intriguing history but also kind of sketchy to me, without mentioning that it's probably closed or moved, so any updates on this collection would be highly valuable.
Chleby Zoo: besides from a rare subspecies of Asiatic black bear and the rare red-shanked douc langur I don't think I'll spend more than an evening here looking for these 2 taxa, as much as giving money to these kind of facilities doesn't make me enthusiastic, but given my possibilities of going to either Vietnam or Beauval are slim, I'll make this one sacrifice.
Zoo Dvorec: this zoo looks like it could be a low EAZA level, but I'm most likely missing something, so any comments are welcome.
Zoo Sedlec Faunapark, Zoopark Na Hrádečku, paraZOO Vlašim, Papouščí Zoo Bošovice: they all seem like nice collections and one is even a facility for impaired animals, thoughts?
Zoopark Zájezd: seems like this collection is extensive and has quite a few rare (at least for me) birds and reptiles, unless I'm mistaken I'll most likely pay a visit.
University of South Bohemia: thanks to Jakub for bringing their mole-rat collection to my attention (rhyme not intended), I'll 100% pay a visit.
I'm mainly interested in rare and exotic species so If any of You know any other private or not collections that fit this criteria (and are not too shady) do let me know! Any and all help is appreciated, thank You all in advance.
I´ll try to chim in a little.
Your list of EAZA zoos is correct and each is worth a visit, even if just once, even if some realy need upgrades to their exhibitry. All of them have one big advantage - they are open to visitors 365 days a year.
In contrast, many private places are closed during winter or open only on select weekends - check this carefuly (or call them beforehand, sometimes the owners take you in on request, even on their official closing days).
Dvur Kralove, Zlin and Ostrava each have certain zoo parts or species that are kept bts during winter. It doesn´t mean they are not worth a winter visit (I love them during slow cold days!), but keep this in mind if you "fish" for a certain species of interest. Date when they go from summer to winter regime is usually between end of Sep and end of Oct (based on actual weather forecast).
Your opinion on both crocodile zoos is warranted. Protivin is better than Prague´s in quality, but both dont deserve more than 1 visit, I guess. Both owners are however passionate and knowledgable people for a litlle chat.
Morsky svet is a wannabe sea life centre. Small and rather overpriced (but not "shady"). I would go once, because this country doesn´t have any better aquarium, unfortunately.
Terarium Praha closed years ago and its collection got dispersed. It´s owner did run Biopark Štit but sold it already. I bet he has many funny stories from his animal trading days.
Chleby - I would go for the langurs. And a weird mix of male lions and a banded mongoose gang where the little critters have upper hand.
Dvorec - it has some very weak exhibitry, but its species collection has enough rarities to endure it. Their baboons are signed Yellow, but are hybrids (with chakmas?).
Sedlec - a small place, weak exhibitry, but a few interesting species. In case you decide to visit it, I would connect the trip with some nice local tourist places nearby like town Mikulov, Valtice-Lednice park or Pálava for a good day out.
Na Hrádečku - a nice little zoo that could get EAZA status in my eyes. Their snake collection is bts and probably will stay bts till next spring - try to get a backstage tour. This place is impossible to reach by public transport.
paraZoo Vlašim - tiny place with very ugly cages. All their animals are rescues. If you visit you should know all your money goes towards a nearby rescue station. Zámek Vlašim (palace) just in front of the zoo entrance has a huge English garden that is perfect for half-day hike.
Bošovice - nice collection (60 parrot species) in boring metal aviaries. Closes for winter on 20th November.
Zájezd is actually a tiny place, in two disjunct areals within one village. The old part is where all the rarities are - species on show might change abruptly. Plan for a bts visit.
University of South Bohemia doesnt exhibit its various mole-rats publicly (they are kept for reseach purposes). You would need to get in through contacts.
A list of few other places that might be worth a visit if you would live in Prague and you dont have a car:
- zoopark Nehvizdy - a nice little bird park, easily accessible by city buses, stays open whole winter.
- botanická zahrada hl města Prahy - a botanical garden close to the zoo, its greenhouse FataMorgana has two large fish tanks and nice plant collection, ideal for cold winter days.
- ZOO Braník - this is not a zoo but a good freshwater ornamental fish shop in Prague
- Zookoutek Malá Chuchle - free mini zoo with native cold-tolerant species, inside the city
- Dívčí Hrady - a large wild horse pen, freely accessible, inside the city
- Penthea - private rescue station for birds of prey in southern suburbs Cholupice, it offers paid program of "falconer for a day" with their trained birds, the owners speak enough English
- Svět medúz - jellyfish exhibition inside a shopping center, overpriced
And a not-exhaustive list of unethical places you should never visit because they market direct contact with hand-reared big cats, parrots or use circus level of animal care: - Kontaktní zoopark Zvole, Zoopark Joo, Zoopark Karlštejn, Papouščí ráj Osnice, Království papoušků Praha, Zoopark Doksy, Mini zoo Chvojenec.
The zoo isn't even close to EAZA level. Imo it is a place, which is better avoided.
Thank you very much @muskox2262 and @Jana , your tips are priceless.
Also I won't be based in Prague but rather in South Bohemia, and I do intend to visit this beautiful country extensively, not just zoos.
I won't have a car, but a rental in some days isn't out of discussion.
That won't be a problem actually
Also I won't be based in Prague but rather in South Bohemia, and I do intend to visit this beautiful country extensively, not just zoos.
I won't have a car, but a rental in some days isn't out of discussion.