Less visited zoos, especially far from the big cities, hide many of the best and most innovative exhibits which zoochatters don't know about. For example this gigantic hoofstock paddock in Askanya Nova, Ukraine. The best tiger exhibit in Europe might be in a small zoo Eberswalde in Germany. There is one-of-a-kind walkthru with chamois, ibex and several other ungulates in the Pyrenees Animal Park in France. Then there is this zoo in subarctic Scandinavia with gigantic polar bear exhibits overlooking vast taiga forest.
Europe's 100 must see exhibits
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
Less visited zoos, especially far from the big cities, hide many of the best and most innovative exhibits which zoochatters don't know about. For example this gigantic hoofstock paddock in Askanya Nova, Ukraine. The best tiger exhibit in Europe might be in a small zoo Eberswalde in Germany. There is one-of-a-kind walkthru with chamois, ibex and several other ungulates in the Pyrenees Animal Park in France. Then there is this zoo in subarctic Scandinavia with gigantic polar bear exhibits overlooking vast taiga forest.
Some of the recent selections in this thread have certainly highlighted how European zoos dominate North American zoos when it comes to large aviaries. There are far more top-quality owl and vulture exhibits in European zoos, but the massive aviaries featuring really big birds is incredible to read about. In North America, there's the wonderful San Diego aviaries, Omaha has a huge one that was recently revamped, St. Louis has its iconic flight cage, and Miami has its famous 'Wings of Asia'. However, there are loads of gargantuan aviaries in European zoos and that continent is leagues ahead in regards to quality walk-through bird habitats. Part of the reason is likely because of the litigious nature of Americans, who cannot have walk-through lemur or monkey enclosures, because someone might sue the zoo, even though those exhibits are as common as raindrops in European zoos. The thought of putting big storks, pelicans and cranes in with people is scary to most North American zoo visitors, and a simple peck would result in a lawsuit. I still vividly recall my very first day in Europe on my big summer 2019 zoo trip, when I visited Natuurpark Lelystad in the Netherlands and I went into a walk-through enclosure for Pere David's Deer and another one for Wisent! Welcome to Europe. 
Thanks, I was not aware of this aviary, despite spending quite some time in going through Italian zoo info and pictures. As you say, Italy is even more underrepresented even though there seems to be quite a number of good zoos.
There are so many good zoos that have a consistent line up of fine exhibits, but lack any stand-out punch. The earlier mentioned Tierpark Hellabrun in Munich would be another example, but there are so many more. There will be plenty of good zoos not on this list, including quite a number of zoos that were included in the 50 must see zoos thread.
I mostly agree with you and I have the feeling that there are two main factors that play into this:
1) private ownership, the most innovative zoos seem to be privately owned, this probably gives the space to execute creative ideas without constraint. Doue, Burgers', Hagenbeck (historical) and Apenheul (now a foundation) would be prime examples. Even Beauval and Pairi Daiza could be said to be innovative in their own regard, it just often doesn't boil down to unique husbandry innovations
. But being privately owned is also a risk if the creative ideas aren't exactly great like the current situation in Hagenbeck or Zoo de la Palmyre show. City-owned zoos have the cushion that they can focus on stuff they like and don't have to be economically independent (Frankfurt...), but planning and construction often takes ages and ideas seem to be more restrained as there is oversight.2) Many private zoos have less space constraints than the municipality owned ones, which are often located downtown. Not only is there more space available, there is a whole lot less historic infrastructure that needs to be demolished/incorporated and nobody is nagging about monuments
.In the case of smaller publicly owned zoos there can quite often be a wish to stand out, and standing out with a limited budget can make for some innovative ideas or choices.
Fortunately there are also some big non-private zoos that don't follow this trend, Tiergarten Nuernberg and Tiergarten Schoenbrunn seem prime examples that even non-privately owned zoos can be leaders in innovation.
Some of the recent selections in this thread have certainly highlighted how European zoos dominate North American zoos when it comes to large aviaries. There are far more top-quality owl and vulture exhibits in European zoos, but the massive aviaries featuring really big birds is incredible to read about. In North America, there's the wonderful San Diego aviaries, Omaha has a huge one that was recently revamped, St. Louis has its iconic flight cage, and Miami has its famous 'Wings of Asia'. However, there are loads of gargantuan aviaries in European zoos and that continent is leagues ahead in regards to quality walk-through bird habitats. Part of the reason is likely because of the litigious nature of Americans, who cannot have walk-through lemur or monkey enclosures, because someone might sue the zoo, even though those exhibits are as common as raindrops in European zoos. The thought of putting big storks, pelicans and cranes in with people is scary to most North American zoo visitors, and a simple peck would result in a lawsuit. I still vividly recall my very first day in Europe on my big summer 2019 zoo trip, when I visited Natuurpark Lelystad in the Netherlands and I went into a walk-through enclosure for Pere David's Deer and another one for Wisent! Welcome to Europe.
And what have the Americans ever done for us: they gave us cheap replicas of Disney's Animal Kingdom in the form of Hannover, Valencia etc.. Thank you guys, well done
I agree with you on Hellabrunn, but not on Leipzig. Certainly a top 20 tier for me, for several reasons: a very good collection (especially on mammals), some outstanding enclosures, excellent mock rock work (
) and not to forget: a couple of superb historical buildings (always a + for me) with the unique Klinkerarchitektur of the Bärenburg and the historical Asian aviaries ahead.I think Leipzig is full of charm and character, combined with great immersion enclosures.
@lintworm isn't wrong though in regard to Leipzig's decrease and stagnation in significance and popularity. In the eyes of the German public, Zoo Leipzig surpassed back-then front runner Erlebniszoo Hannover in the early 21st century by heavily investing in both new enclosure complexes and PR (including a hugely successful national TV show). Back then, it was by far the most popular zoo in Germany. These days, it is still popular and a major player both nationally and internationally, but not as domineering as in the years before. The same can be said about Loro Parque in Tenerife. In recent years, Pairi Daiza and others have "stolen" some of their thunder, as for the mass of naive zoo visitors, "New is always better".I agree with you on Hellabrunn, but not on Leipzig. Certainly a top 20 tier for me, for several reasons: a very good collection (especially on mammals), some outstanding enclosures, excellent mock rock work (
Regarding historical zoo buildings: you can find those in Hellabrunn just as well (the elephant house, the aquarium and parts of the old primate complex). The large walkthrough aviary, the giant tortoise house and the aforementioned mhorr gazelle enclosure are among its most significant exhibits.
Last edited:
I've definitely got a massive soft spot for Hellabrunn which far exceeds my opinion of Leipzig
as I may have betrayed with the coincidentally-timed post discussing a mid-1950s Hellabrunn guidebook I just uploaded elsewhere on the forum!
American zoos still beat their European counterparts in the implementation of medical training, behavioral enrichment and volunteer involvement. And, at least in regard to major institutions, PR and high admission prices...
Last edited:
Schleichwerbung! ^^
Last edited:
I agree with you and Lintworm on almost everything. But popularity as such is no key factor for me
. There're certainly points of criticism on the latter developments in Leipzig but overall even their post 2012 are above average (I do like f.e. the Himalaya project which has of course its minor points but it has fit well in that historical part of the zoo) and I definitely expect a masterclass for pinnipeds on the Feuerland project.
Yes there're historical buildings in Munich, and like everywhere else I love them.
However, I believe that the Klinkerarchitektur in Leipzig is pretty unique in zoological gardens, I cannot quickly recall a second example. I was quite impressed the first time I saw that and that remained unchanged ever since.
To be clear, I think that Hellabrun is a great zoo ; I will visit the zoo again in june and the elephant house will be one of the highlights.
Among others, Wrocław Zoo.
Without popularity, there is less or even no income - which is of greatest economic importance for the business aspect of running a zoo. So you can't completely ignore or even negate it.
Thank you, my original post was slightly tongue-in-cheek, but there was a kernel of truth in it, as I couldn't really think of any major developments that European zoo copied from the US, apart from the Zoo360 and possibly the rotational exhibits (and the aforementioned overthemed immersion complexes). That probably also says something about me though...
As said above, I should have listed Leipzig when I listed all those other zoos, but it wouldn't personally come close to any top-10 must see list for European zoos, I just forgot about it when writing the post.
That said I thought many of the newer developments disappointing: the current S-America zone is neither here nor there and distinctly boring, the Amur leopard cages are tiny and the Himalayan zone also suffers from lack of space, though here landscaping is of a high level. I did like the rhino addition to the savanna area though. I am afraid the new Tierra del Fuego project will have too much fake rock work, but I hope I am wrong, the aquarium renovation looks promising though.
47 Fauverie
Menagerie, Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France
Opened: 1937
Size: 1800 square metres
Inhabitants: Clouded leopard, Snow leopard, northern Luzon giant cloud rat
That the ancient cat houses are slowly disappearing is probably good news for the cats. For any zoo nerd with a nose, it should be reason for concern. In the present day animals are often separated by glass or a moat, which makes smelling animals at their most intense rather impossible. This used to be one of the joys of these houses, where the animal smell could be so intense, that it is unpleasant. But it does provide a useful lesson to the zoos of today: engage more senses than just vision. Smells and sounds (and I do not mean (“tribal”) music) are key factors of a real animal experience and far too few zoos actually provide them. The fauverie in Paris is far more empty than it used to be, with currently only two cat species (North-Chinese leopard and Caracal were kept recently too or are now on the way out). That means not a terribly little amount of space, but one still wonders whether it would be best to focus only on smaller species. But looking at how many individual enclosures this house had, it is impossible to miss how much better it is than it used to be… This house is also one of the more beautiful pieces of historic architecture, not least due to the artwork in and around the building. And more importantly, not everything is completely glass-fronted, so one can still smell the cats.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@Baldur
@Tomek
Similar exhibits: Another fantastic historic big cat house was hewn out in the rocks of Tiergarten Nürnberg, Germany. Housing Siberian tigers and (Asiatic) lions with some free-flight birds, this 1939 house has been masterfully renovated, but you can still smell cats!
@PeGe
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
Menagerie, Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France
Opened: 1937
Size: 1800 square metres
Inhabitants: Clouded leopard, Snow leopard, northern Luzon giant cloud rat
That the ancient cat houses are slowly disappearing is probably good news for the cats. For any zoo nerd with a nose, it should be reason for concern. In the present day animals are often separated by glass or a moat, which makes smelling animals at their most intense rather impossible. This used to be one of the joys of these houses, where the animal smell could be so intense, that it is unpleasant. But it does provide a useful lesson to the zoos of today: engage more senses than just vision. Smells and sounds (and I do not mean (“tribal”) music) are key factors of a real animal experience and far too few zoos actually provide them. The fauverie in Paris is far more empty than it used to be, with currently only two cat species (North-Chinese leopard and Caracal were kept recently too or are now on the way out). That means not a terribly little amount of space, but one still wonders whether it would be best to focus only on smaller species. But looking at how many individual enclosures this house had, it is impossible to miss how much better it is than it used to be… This house is also one of the more beautiful pieces of historic architecture, not least due to the artwork in and around the building. And more importantly, not everything is completely glass-fronted, so one can still smell the cats.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@Baldur
@Tomek
Similar exhibits: Another fantastic historic big cat house was hewn out in the rocks of Tiergarten Nürnberg, Germany. Housing Siberian tigers and (Asiatic) lions with some free-flight birds, this 1939 house has been masterfully renovated, but you can still smell cats!
@PeGe
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
Last edited:
Among others, Wrocław Zoo.
Without popularity, there is less or even no income - which is of greatest economic importance for the business aspect of running a zoo. So you can't completely ignore or even negate it.
Yes I can. Never said that its not important for the business aspect, only said that it is for me no assessment item in the composition of a top 10 or 20.
I'm aware of that, but said kernel of truth led to my addendum. Keeping venomous snakes in zoos has, as pointed out by @ThylacineAlive & @snowleopard years ago, also become an aspect in that American zoos outdo their European counterparts in recent years (at least in regard to quantity).
No you can (if you run a zoo).
Shall I meet you in June in Munich in person to continue our version of "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" as karaoke?
Last edited:
I see your point, but from an average zoo visitor's pov, strong animal smells are rather considered a very negative detriment ("Bah, it stinks!!!")and are thus one of the most common visitor complaints. Olfactory education is a very thin line to walk upon.
47 Fauverie
Menagerie, Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France
Opened: 1937
Size: 1800 square metres
Inhabitants: Clouded leopard, Snow leopard
That the ancient cat houses are slowly disappearing is probably good news for the cats. For any zoo nerd with a nose, it should be reason for concern. In the present day animals are often separated by glass or a moat, which makes smelling animals at their most intense rather impossible. This used to be one of the joys of these houses, where the animal smell could be so intense, that it is unpleasant. But it does provide a useful lesson to the zoos of today: engage more senses than just vision. Smells and sounds (and I do not mean (“tribal”) music) are key factors of a real animal experience and far too few zoos actually provide them. The fauverie in Paris is far more empty than it used to be, with currently only two cat species (North-Chinese leopard and Caracal were kept recently too or are now on the way out). That means not a terribly little amount of space, but one still wonders whether it would be best to focus only on smaller species. But looking at how many individual enclosures this house had, it is impossible to miss how much better it is than it used to be… This house is also one of the more beautiful pieces of historic architecture, not least due to the artwork in and around the building. And more importantly, not everything is completely glass-fronted, so one can still smell the cats.
@lintworm
@lintworm
@Baldur
@Tomek
Similar exhibits: Another fantastic historic big cat house was hewn out in the rocks of Tiergarten Nürnberg, Germany. Housing Siberian tigers and (Asiatic) lions with some free-flight birds, this 1939 house has been masterfully renovated, but you can still smell cats!
@PeGe
@lintworm
@lintworm
@lintworm
I believe it still holds a single North Chinese leopard which is due to leave the zoo very soon.
Also living in the house are a couple of Northern Luzon giant cloud rats.
What I personally like the most about this house is the very complete educational pannel with "all" cat species and their range. Although it's pretty old and taxonomy has since evolved quite a bit.
An exhibit worth mentionning that I don't expect to show up in this thread is the small middle-eastern aviary just in front of the Fauverie.
Not only does it display the only Asian houbaras in Europe, it is a very fine exhibit with a very simple yet efficient viewing opportunity that allows for an excellent sight of the Bustards behavior. They're very curious birds and you can often look at the males courticizing the females, and this at eye level and from something like 1-2 meters away.
It certainly is a fine line and for the average visitor that line is indeed crossed in most old animal houses
. From a zoo nerd perspective, these smells are nostalgic memories that are rapidly disappearing in modern zoos, giraffe, old world monkeys, new world monkeys, carnivores, elephants etc all have such distinctive smells (or their feces does ). Singapore's night safari does a fantastic job though, with limited vision, nighttime jungle sounds, calling hyenas and all the smells take centre stage. I believe I wrote that
If you need to satisfy that fetish, eh "nostalgia"From a zoo nerd perspective, these smells are nostalgic memories that are rapidly disappearing in modern zoos (...) all have such distinctive smells (or their feces does
, feel free to apply for a lab position in a veterinary parasitology institute. Plenty of lovely fragrances to choose from. Or come to WdG and help me clean up the gaboon viper feces - olfactory stimulation guaranteed.
Last edited:
I believe I wrote that
You did, sorry!
I've never really like smelling the animals. I don't really hate it but I would never count it as a point in favor for an exhibit. In rare cases, there have been exhibits I've skipped out on due to smell being too strong.