Europe's 50 must see zoos
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
Another photo finish for Zlin
They need to work harder! When Nusantara and Karibuni are ready, they will try again.Meanwhile this Swiss zoo pull out a Bird House, to which our author most likely couldn't resist.
That's an interesting and fair approach @lintworm
On the other hand, one could also argue, that zoos like Zlin, Plankendael, Gaiazoo or Opole are a whole category of zoos just like old, historic city zoos are. Mostly modern, spacious, high level exhibits without anything outstanding in terms of landscape. Just woodland or meadows with high quality exhibits and without (exaggerated) etho-kitsch. And i would argue, that Zlin is the best zoo within this category and therefore should be on such a list.
As Magdeburg was mentioned as a positiv example at the last post, the biggest question right now is probably which zoo has lost it's place on the list. Still Magdeburg? Chemnitz? Odense? Rotterdam? Howletts?
Based on the fact that Basel is the most remarkable missing name of the last post, it would be a surprise if it won't get the last place at the list.
On the other hand, one could also argue, that zoos like Zlin, Plankendael, Gaiazoo or Opole are a whole category of zoos just like old, historic city zoos are. Mostly modern, spacious, high level exhibits without anything outstanding in terms of landscape. Just woodland or meadows with high quality exhibits and without (exaggerated) etho-kitsch. And i would argue, that Zlin is the best zoo within this category and therefore should be on such a list.
As Magdeburg was mentioned as a positiv example at the last post, the biggest question right now is probably which zoo has lost it's place on the list. Still Magdeburg? Chemnitz? Odense? Rotterdam? Howletts?
Based on the fact that Basel is the most remarkable missing name of the last post, it would be a surprise if it won't get the last place at the list.
Any of these two (Zlin / Basel) would be a rightful winner to dip into the top 50. But after (re)reading Lintworm's explanation to his thread, and that explanation is again original, balanced and well-documented, I understand the absence of Zlin, Munich or Planckendael, among others.
Of these top 50, very few are contested, aren't they?
I loved this thread, a list, hooray, but with its own angle, and that's just as well:
Of these top 50, very few are contested, aren't they?
I loved this thread, a list, hooray, but with its own angle, and that's just as well:
I like the reasoning, but I am not convinced by it. If anything I would choose Gaiazoo from that list as an example on how effective landscaping and naturalistic enclosures look when on a low budget. One could also argue that Obterre already functions as that place of the outer zoo with modern spacious exhibits without any kitsch or mock rock. It is an extreme example of that category though
To make space for a new zoo on the list, one had to go. It should not come as any great surprise as to which zoo would have to go.
There were a few candidates. There is the trio of Tierpark Chemnitz, Zoo Odense and Slimbridge WWT, whose inclusions were the biggest question marks at the start. But given that the reasons why I chose them for the list are still present, they remain on it as long as there is no better alternative.
While Zoo Magdeburg was mentioned most often as being the one suspected to drop out, it will remain. It is true that with a change of management, the focus on rare species is disappearing. But the other main reason to include Magdeburg was their very effective building technique where with little means spacious naturalistic enclosures are created, with attractive greenhouse style indoor enclosures for large mammals. Those examples like the tapir, rhino, chimpanzee and elephant house are still there and aren't going anywhere. How long Magdeburg can remain on the list is a question and when their marbled polecats pass away, that might be the final drop in the bucket. There is already a possible replacement though, but that place just isn't ready yet for inclusion, though I expect it to be in the near future
The unlucky loser of 2025 is Diergaarde Blijdorp. For anyone who has followed that zoo this century, that cannot come as a huge surprise. Only 15 years ago it was generally considered one of the very best all-round zoos on the continent. But financial troubles and a lack of vision mean that the zoo is steadily declining. It remained a clear choice for inclusion as it used to be one of the best geo-zoos around. But with the new masterplan, focusing on impact zones, rather than geography, that is no more. While the old part of the zoo is still clearly geographically ordered, the extension area is becoming a mixed bag. This change is most visible in the Oceanium. The whole idea was that it would be the first exhibit after the entrance, starting in Europe (because that is where Rotterdam is located) and it would take you on an aquatic journey to California at it's exit. That neatly fitted with the (North) American exhibits in that part of the zoo. But that is no more. The Caribbean reef inexplicably became a great barrier reef, the sea of Cortez (Mexico) is now an endangered species area, the California area is set to become a second North Sea and to top it of, there is now a Madagascar exhibit with ring-tailed lemurs too. The Oceanium is still a nice building, but it shows everything that is wrong with Blijdorp: no vision, no long term stability and no investments that are built to last. The Oceanium opened near simultaneously with the Ocean in Burgers' Zoo. But while the latter has hardly changed since it opened as it didn't need to, the Oceanium has lost all that made it unique. With the current management and bleak financial outlook, expect things to get worse before they will get better...
Switzerland - Zoo Basel
Founded: 1847
Size: 11 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
In a time when some zoos are trying to reinvent what it means to be a zoo, others stay remarkably stubborn and close to their historic core. In Basel there is no effort to fool anyone they are not in Switzerland and the core business is clearly to give visitors good views of animals, concrete be damned. There is a Swiss sense of cleanliness and orderliness in the design that is a far cry from many other zoos who aim for the exotic. In the legacy of the legendary former zoo director Heini Hediger, focus is less on space, but rather on what you do with it. Basel keeps a surprising number of large mammals for such a small zoo and many of their enclosures are relatively small, but in terms of structure belong to the top of Europe. Some enclosures, like the one for pygmy hippos, do however show that you can only compensate so much with well-designed enclosures, too small remains too small. The highlight in Basel are the animal houses. The bird house, now mostly consisting of 2 large and brilliant walkthroughs, is a testament in combining clean looks for visitors with natural spaces for the animals. The Etosha house, one of a pair of African-themed houses, focuses on food chains and smaller African animals. It is brilliant from an educational viewpoint, but also merges brutalist architecture, with natural African touches in a way that highlights the inhabitants in a brilliant way. Recently an ambitious masterplan was presented that will erase the current weakest spots and continues on the steadfast trajectory that this zoo has been on for decades. It will be interesting to see whether Basel will increasingly become an outlier or whether it inspires other zoos to come back to the core: let city people get close to exotic animals without the frills.
@Philipine eagle - Bird house
@twilighter - Etosha house
@twilighter - Hellbender exhibit in the Vivarium
@lintworm - Chimpanzee indoor enclosures
Zoochat gallery: Zoo Basel - ZooChat
Zoo Basel
Zoo map:
@lintworm - 2023 zoo map
Founded: 1847
Size: 11 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals: 57
Birds: 74
Reptiles & amphibians: 40
Fish: 248
Birds: 74
Reptiles & amphibians: 40
Fish: 248
In a time when some zoos are trying to reinvent what it means to be a zoo, others stay remarkably stubborn and close to their historic core. In Basel there is no effort to fool anyone they are not in Switzerland and the core business is clearly to give visitors good views of animals, concrete be damned. There is a Swiss sense of cleanliness and orderliness in the design that is a far cry from many other zoos who aim for the exotic. In the legacy of the legendary former zoo director Heini Hediger, focus is less on space, but rather on what you do with it. Basel keeps a surprising number of large mammals for such a small zoo and many of their enclosures are relatively small, but in terms of structure belong to the top of Europe. Some enclosures, like the one for pygmy hippos, do however show that you can only compensate so much with well-designed enclosures, too small remains too small. The highlight in Basel are the animal houses. The bird house, now mostly consisting of 2 large and brilliant walkthroughs, is a testament in combining clean looks for visitors with natural spaces for the animals. The Etosha house, one of a pair of African-themed houses, focuses on food chains and smaller African animals. It is brilliant from an educational viewpoint, but also merges brutalist architecture, with natural African touches in a way that highlights the inhabitants in a brilliant way. Recently an ambitious masterplan was presented that will erase the current weakest spots and continues on the steadfast trajectory that this zoo has been on for decades. It will be interesting to see whether Basel will increasingly become an outlier or whether it inspires other zoos to come back to the core: let city people get close to exotic animals without the frills.
@Philipine eagle - Bird house
@twilighter - Etosha house
@twilighter - Hellbender exhibit in the Vivarium
@lintworm - Chimpanzee indoor enclosures
Zoochat gallery: Zoo Basel - ZooChat
Zoo Basel
Zoo map:
@lintworm - 2023 zoo map
That is it for now. I will continue to update the list of 50 must see zoos once I think it is necessary.
For now you will have to contend yourself with a map of all 50 must see zoos, including the ones that have been removed from the list:
Europe's 50 must see zoos – Google My Maps
For now you will have to contend yourself with a map of all 50 must see zoos, including the ones that have been removed from the list:
Europe's 50 must see zoos – Google My Maps
In addition to that, they also no longer keep black-tailed marmosets, which means another species lost for continental Europe, and another big blow to Magdeburg's list of rarities.
Since my first visit, 5 years ago, they also lost the Lesser Kudu, Marsh Mongoose, Golden-belied Mangabey, Bobak Marmot, Papuan agile wallaby, Golden Jackal, Green acouchy, Smith's bush squirrel etc. The day when the last Grandidier’s Vontsira leve the zoo, Magdeburg is going to be place mentioned mostly with nostalgia. Hopefully they will bring something interesting in the future.