German Zoo Worlds Zoo Animal Report

Golden Eagle

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World Golden Eagle at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Golden Eagles are majestic Zoo Birds which makes them poular even with standard Zoo Visiitors, i have seen the Golden Eagle at 2 austrian Zoos. Some Zoos keep permanent injured Golden Eagels with a wing injury such as Tier und Spielpark Bichlbach. Bichlbach keeps the rescued Eagle in a simple Aviary with several perching opportunitys. The Zoo got the Eagle after it was found near his Nest with a broken Wing. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck i am not even sure if the Zoo keeps a rescued or a fully flighted Individual. Innsbruck lets the Visitors enter the Aviary from a wooden Balcony where you can be on eye level with the Eagle. You can also view them from below if you follow the Visitor path. Golden Eagles are sadly endangered in many european Countrys and this makes it important to keep them in Zoos.
 
German Zoo World said:
The European Hoopoe is a unique looking native Bird, that i have seen at 2 Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo first had their Hoopoe in the Zoos small Mammal and Bird House in the African river Aviary together with other Birds such as European Beeater, Black Crake, black bellied Sandgrouse, Sudan golden Sparrow and several other Birds. But the Hoopoe was not doing well in this all indoor Aviary and so the Zoo moved it to the Pheasantarys european Aviary. The Aviary is not as spacious as the African river Aviary but the Hoopoe is much more chilled in this Aviary and is not constantly pacing from one side of the Aviary to the Other. The Hoopoes at Wilhelma are currently kept together with Song Thrush, Rosy Starling, European Turtle Dove and the rare Arabian Partridge.
Click to expand...
The hoopoes were kept at the Damaszener Hall (Pheasantary) since 2014 before they moved the Small Mammal and Bird House. I think they were kept in the Damaszener Hall and the Small Mammal and Bird House at the same time.
 
Alpine Ibex

full


Photo, made by @German Zoo World Alpine Ibex at Wilhelma Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7

Alpine Ibexes are common Zoo Ungulates, they are active, they live in large Herds and they are good climbers, i have seen them at 7 Zoos. One of the ugliest Ibex Enclosures i have seen is the fake mock rock blob at Augsburg Zoo. At Augsburg they keep a large breeding Herd and on one of my last Visits it looked if the big male Ibex was stuck under the feeding through but it was only chilling in the shade. Soon Augsburg will begin to build a brand new Himalaya complex and the Ibex have to be phased out. A quite similar old fashioned Ibex Enclosure can also be found at Hellabrunn Zoo Munich. Nuremburg Zoo keeps their herd of Ibex in a stunning spacious and naturalistic Enclosure build in to an old quarry. One of the largest Enclosures at Wilhelma Zoo is the Zoos Ibex Enclosure which is Home to a large breeding Herd. The Ibex at Wilhelma live in a naturalistic Enclosure which almost looks identical to a alpine Meadow. Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich is also Home to a large Herd that is mostly held in a old fashioned fake mock rock Enclosure but Zurichs Ibex can also be found in some spacious meadow side Enclosures. On my Visit in 2022 i remember that the whole herd was on the Move because they were fed by their Keeper. A spectacular Enclosure for Alpine Ibex can be found at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park, where i think the Zoo is home to a Bachelor Group as i have never seen female Ibexes at Bad Mergentheim. The Enclosure looks like a slice of alpine Wilderness and it is very impressive to hear and see the male Ibex play fighting each other as i have experienced during a 2023 visit. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck you can find a very special Ibex Enclosure, it is a walkthrough Enclosure for a herd of Alpine Ibex. You enter the naturalistic and very steep Enclosure through a small educational Building where you can even touch a Ibex skull and of course the impressive Horns. It is impressive to see the Ibex jumping arround and making full use of their Enclosure. Many Zoos, including Innsbruck, Wilhelma, Munich and Nuremburg send some of their bred Ibex to release them back in to areas where they were previously extinct, which makes them a very common Zoo Ungulate.
 
Last edited:
Rock Ptarmigan

full


Photo made by @TeaLovingDave Rock Ptarmigan at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Rock Ptarmigans are rarely kept in Zoos and according to Zootierliste, Alpine Zoo Innsbruck is the only Zoo in the World that keeps a pair of these rare Birds. Innsbruck keeps many rarely kept native european Birds and so they keep the Ptarmigans in a natural Aviary with several Rocks. The Rock Ptarmigans at Innsbruck are viewed from a viewing Balcony so there is no barrier between the Zoo Visitors and the rare Birds. It is very interesting to compare the Rock Ptarmigan to the Rock Partridge which is kept in the Aviary next to the Ptarmigans. Rock Ptarmigans are hard to keep in Zoos but i think they are interesting Birds that should be kept in more Zoos.
 
Last edited:
Mountain Hare

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World Mountain Hares at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Lagomorphs are rarely kept in Zoos and so i am very happy to have seen the Mountain Hare at 2 Zoos. They are kept in a simple meshed Aviary at Bodenseezoo Reuthemühle. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck the Hares are held with in a spacious and naturalistic free flight Aviary which they share with Spotted Nutcracker and Black Grouse. I haver never thought that these Hares were so large until i entered the walk through at Innsbruck. Mountain Hares are hard to keep but they are interesting Zoo Animals but sadly they are not found in many Zoos.
 
Green Lizard

full


Photo made by @robreintjes

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1
Seen Breeds/Species: Western green Lizard

Green Lizards are both large and very colourfull Reptiles, i have seen the western subspecies at Wilhelma Zoo. At Wilhelma they are kept in one of the outdoor Terrariums for native european Herps just outside of the Entrance to the Aquarium/Terrarium Building. They have several rocks to bask in the sun, a few climbing branches and hiding opportunitys. The Green Lizards at Wilhelma Zoo are mixed with Marsh Frog, Wall Lizard, Dice Snake and Aesculapian Snake but this mix seems to work well for quite some Years now. Native Reptiles are often endangered and i think it would be great if more Zoos would keep the "Dragon of the Kaiserstuhl".
 
Alpine Marmot

full


Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Alpine Marmots are well known by many Zoo Visitors but most of them haver never seen one in real life. They often hide in their Burrows and are hard to see, i have only seen them at 1 Zoo altough i visited several Zoos with Alpine Marmots but i did not see them at these other Zoos. At Tier und Spielpark Bichlback the Marmots have quite a simple Enclosure with some rocks and of course their burrows.The Marmots at Bichlbach are strangely often seen outside of their Burrows, and this is because most Animals at Bichlbach can be fed by the Zoo Visitors. Marmots are large, social Rodents and i ask myself why i have seen them so rarely in Zoos but i think if you can seem they are interesting to look at.
 
Brown Bear

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World European brown Bear at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 8
Seen Breeds/Species: European brown Bear, Kamchatka brown Bear, Syrian brown Bear

As they are a popular ABC species, Brown Bears are found in many Zoos including both small and large Zoos. The most common subspecies is the European brown Bear which i have seen at 5 Zoos. Even quite small Zoos like Ulm Zoo have kept Brown Bears in the past. They were previously held in the old Bear pit in the City Park until they were moved to the Zoo in 2003. At Ulm Zoo the Bears were kept in a small yet lush and natural Enclosure with Enrichment including a hanging tire. Male Cheppo sadly passed away in 2017 and female Susi passed away in 2019, currently the former Bear Enclosure at Ulm is home to Emus. At the exit of Ulm Zoo you can also find a skeleton of Cheppos and Susis Mother. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park was once home to three Bears but currently they keep two Females in a spacious naturalistic Enclosure which includes a more open section complete with a small Pond and a more forested section. During the Zoos feeding presentation you can sometimes even see them standing on their hind legs which is a fascinating Zoo experience. Previously they were mixed with Red Foxes but i havent seen the Foxes in the Bear enclosure since at least 10+ years ago. The Bear Enclosure at Bad Mergentheim is viewed from a wooden boardwalk. Tripsdrill Wildlife keeps three Bears in a simple mid sized Enclosure with a small Pond that is viewed best from the viewing area on top of the Bears indoor holding. I have already mentioned in my Wolf entry that the Bears were previously mixed with Arctic Wolves until the 2013 incident. Alpine Zoo Innsbruck also keeps their Bears in a midsized yet natural Enclosure. You can watch the Bears at Innsbruck both from above but i prever the glass viewing area near the exit to the Ripparian forest free flight Aviary. The Bears at Innsbruck were very active on my last visit in 2023 coming right up to the viewing window. At Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich they keep a Pair in a huge forested Enclosure and on my visit in 2022 i did not see a Bear until i returned from the toillet and then i saw a large crowd standing by the Bear Enclosure. Both Bears were running downhill as they were fed by their Keeper. Kamchatka brown Bears are the largest Subspecies that i have seen. I have seen them at Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg where they keep a Pair in a simple Enclosure. They were so huge up close. The creme coloured Syrian brown Bear is one of the smallest subspecies of Brown Bear. Formerly the were also kept at Wilhelma Zoo where the last Bear named Raschid sadly passed away in 2019 and Safa the female Bear already passed away in 2016. Currently the Bear Enclosure at Wilhelma Zoo is Home to the Andean Bears Cashu and Suyana which arrived from Frankfurt Zoo. Syrian brown Bears are stil kept at Heidelberg Zoo where you can find them actually in front of the Zoo Entrance in a spacious Enclosure. Until 2023 they were kept together with Corsac Foxes but they sadly either passed away or were phased out by the Zoo. Currently the Zoo is home to 2 female Bears, mother Ronja and daughter Merle which was born in 2021. On my last Visit in 2022 i saw Merle very active running arround and playing with her Mother. Brown Bears are fascinating Zoo Animals and espacially the syrian subspecies is in need of new Holders so i think they should be kept in more Zoos.
 
Last edited:
Alpine Chamois

full


Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Mountain Ungulates are interesting Zoo Animals which are sadly overlooked by many Zoo Visitors, which think of them as just another Goat. I have seen the native Chamois at one Zoo and this Zoo is of course Alpine Zoo Innsbruck which is specialiced in native european Fauna. At Innsbruck they keep a breeding Herd in a small but steep Enclosure wich is filled with climbing rocks. You can view the Chamois Enclosure at Innsbruck both from beyond and from above. The view over the Chamois Enclosure with the City in the background has to be one of the most spectacular views i have seen in a Zoo. It is incredible to watch the Chamois jumping from rock to rock with the City as Backdrop. Chamois are very active as it is very entertaining to watch them climb arround so i think it would be great to see them in more Zoos.
 
European Adder

full


Photo made by @lintworm

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

The european Adder is one of europes most popular Snakes and they are one of very few venemous Snakes that is often kept in Zoos. I have seen the Adder in 2 Zoos and at both Zoos they are kept in open topped Terrariums. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck the Adders are kept in a spacious naturalistic Terrarium which is viewed from inside but it is actually a open topped Enclosure which is no problem for a Species which is even found in Scandinavia. Wilhelma Zoo also keeps their Adders in a open topped Terrarium completly outdoors which is even shared with Common Toad, yellow bellied Toad, Fiery Salamander and Slow Worm all of which are either poisonous or to large to be eaten by the Adders. I think it is important to teach Zoo Visitors about the Adder, that they are no Danger to Humans unless they are provoked.
 
European fallow Deer

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World European fallow Deer at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 9

I dont know how hoften i heard from Zoo Visitors "look at these Roe Deer" when this are actually Fallow Deer. Fallow Deer are one of the most often kept Zoo Mammals, they are kept even by small free Zoos, i have seen the Fallow Deer at 9 Zoos. Wildpark Weishauswald Trier is such a free Zoo which kepps a Herd in a simple yet spacious Enclosure. Wildpark Markwasen in Reutlingen, yet another free Zoo keeps their Herd in a stunning naturalistic and spacious park like Enclosure with some huge old Oak Trees. Fallow Deer are often kept in simple yet spacious ungulate Enclosures and this is also true for Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich. Two other quite similar Enclosures can be found at Pfauengarten Zoo and Wildpark Oberreith which are both Home to large Herds of Deer. Fallow Deer espacially the females are friendly and tame and this makes them popular for walkthrough Enclosures. At Affenberg Salem they keep a small Herd in a simple walkthrough where you are allowed to feed the Deer but of course only with Pellets from the Zoo. Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park keeps a large Herd in a nice forested walkthrough, it is interesting to see that the male Deer can access the whole Enclosure given that they can be quite agressive. On one of my Visits in 2022 i noticed the Male coming over with his huge and impressive Stags, some of his females wete fed by Zoo Visitors and he wanted some too but instead of waiting, the Deer jumped over the Visitor pathway chasing both the Females and Visitors away. At Tripsdrill Wildlife you can find them directly after the Zoo Entrance, when you enter the Deer walkthrough which is also Home to the asian Dybowski Deer. The Enclosure at Tripsdrill is huge and the Deer have both a forested and a Meadow part in their Enclosure and there is even a sepperate Enclosure for the male Deer inside of the walkthrough Deer Enclosure. I have even seen them at a Safari Park and this was at Serengeti Park Hodenhagen. On my Visit, we did the Bus Tour and the Fallow Deer lived in the only Enclosure during the Safari where you could exit the Bus, which was a Petting Zoo where the Deer lived together with African dwarf Goats and Alpaca, but then a new Petting Zoo was build in the normal Zoo part of Hodenhagen and the Domestics were moved over but Fallow Deer can stil be found in the forested Enclosure which is not a walkthrough Enclosure anymore. Currently they share the European safari with Scottish highland Cattle, Hecks Horse and Red Deer. It is fascinating espacially for Children to be able to fed and pet a tame Fallow Deer which makes them popular even in smaller Zoos.
 
Eurasian eagle Owl

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World Eurasian eagle Owl at Karlsruhe Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 10

Eurasian eagle Owls are one of the most common Owl species in Zoos, i have seen them at 10 Zoos. Heidelberg Zoo kept them until at least 2020 in a simple Aviary. Most Zoos keep the Eagle Owl in a simple yet often lush planted Aviary and this is the Case with the Zoos of Wilhelma Zoo, Bavaria Zoo Lohberg, Luisenpark Mannheim, Karlsruhe Zoo, Wildpark Oberreith, Tripsdrill Wildlife, Alpine Zoo Innsbruck and Opel Zoo Kronberg. Some Zoos keep their Eagle Owls in free flight Aviarys like at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park where they are kept in a huge walkthrough Aviary. Previously they were kept in a smaller Aviary next to similar free flight Aviarys for Great grey Owl and Snowy Owl. The other Owl Aviarys have been connected in 2024 and currently only the Eagle Owls are held in the free flight Aviary. Eagle Owls are impressive Zoo Birds and some Zoos even release zoo hatched Chicks back in to the Wild.
 
Griffon Vulture

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World Griffon Vulture at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 5

Griffon Vultures are huge impressive Zoo Birds that are also popular with the standard Zoo Visitors. I have seen them at 5 Zoos. Wilhelma Zoo keeps a small breeding Flock in a very simple Aviary in the Zoos Bird of Prey section. At Tripsdrill Wildlife they are kept in a round Aviary in the Zoos Bird of Prey section where they are kept together with Black Kite and Ruepells Vulture. Some Zoos keep permanent rescued Vultures with a wing injury that cannot be released back in to the Wild, such as at Opelzoo Kronberg. At Opel Zoo they are kept in a spacious oppen topped Enclosure which is shared with Marabou Stork in the Zoos African Loop. Its always very impressive to see and encounter Vultures in a free flight Aviary. Alpine Zoo Innsbruck has their Vultures in the stunning Zogg troller Aviary of Alpine Vultures which is a very steep and tall Aviary and the Griffon Vultures share this spectacular Free flight Aviary with Red billed Cough and Egyptian Vulture. I had my best Vulture Encounters at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park, where you can first see a Griffon Vulture at the start of the Feeding Presentation. But one of the most spectacular sights at Bad Mergentheim is the huge Vulture Aviary which is set in a old quarry. The Aviary is so large that it is not a uncommon sight to see the Zoos breeding Flock actually flying arround and it is fascinating to see large Birds actually in the Air. On my last Visit in 2025 i have even seen some Vultures on their Nests and a little Chick in one of the Nests. Formerly the Zoo has also kept Himalayan and Ruepells Vultures and until 2023 also a single Cinnerous Vulture with their Griffons but the other Vultures were phased out or have passed away and currently the Zoo is only Home to a flock of Griffon Vultures. During the Zoos feeding Presentation you can even enter the free flight Vulture Aviary and the Birds land right in front of you on the central Hill, like seen on the Picture above. Griffon Vultures are spectacular Zoo Birds and Zoos help to release them back in to the Wild which makes them to one of the most often kept Species of Birds of Prey in Zoos.
 
Barbary Macaque

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World Barbary Macaque at Pfauengarten Zoo

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 6

As one of the most common larger Primates kept in Zoos, i have seen the Barbary Macaque at 6 Zoos. Sadly one of the worst Enclosures which could have been in a amaerican Roadside Zoo is the dark cramped Cage for a small breeding Group at Pfauengarten Zoo. The Enclosure has recently been extended into the Zoos Flamingo Enclosure but it is stil way to small for these active and social Primates. Another old fashioned Enclosure is found at Opelzoo Kronberg but Kronbergs Cage is a lot taller and has natural sunlight. On my Visit in 2024 the whole Breeding group was going crazy, you could hear the Macaques from the Zoos Waterfowl Enclosure and a bit later i noticed only a few Macaques in the Enclosure as some of the younger Males had to be sepperated from the main group. At Nuremburg Zoo the Macaques are either kept in small simple Enclosures near the Zoos Primate House or they are rotated in the big and naturalistic outdoor Enclosure with the Zoos troop of Western lowland Gorillas. Barbary Macaques are often held in spacious walk through Enclosures and i have to admit it is a bit creepy to share the same Space as a big male Macaque but most of the time the Primates in these types of walk through Enclosures are chilled and well be haved Individuals. During my Visit to Serengeti Park which kept the Species until 2023, they had a large group in a mid sized Walkthrough which is currently a Gelada Enclosure which of course can not be entered by the Zoo Visitors anymore. At the time of my Visit the Macaques just got their food and they were munching on their vegetables, as a Mother with a small Boy in a Stroller entered the Enclosure they did their loop through the Enclosure but near the Exit a big male Macaque was interested in the Stroller and began to scare the Toddler which began to cry and the Macaque left the Visitor path. I noticed that the Keeper that was feeding the Primates spoke to the Toddlers mum and he told her that a Macaque can get very dangerous if he wants something. Tier and Spielpark Bichlbach in Austria keeps a large Troop in a simple but large Cage and a spacious walkthrough Enclosure but i have also seen Macaques running free in other Areas of the Zoo but the Zoo owners were chilled about it, they said they go back in to their Enclosure by themselves. The largest and most natural walkthrough for the Species is of course found at Affenberg Salem where more than 200 Macaques are kept in a huge forested Enclosure. On my Visit in 2019 you were stil allowed to feed them but this is not allowed anymore as there sadly were some accidents with Zoo Visitors. A spectacular sight at Salem is the commentated Feeding where you can watch the Macaques interacting with each other. Barbary Macaques are crowd pleasers in Zoos, espacially in walkthrough Enclosures when there is something going on most of the Time.
 
Mouflon

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World Mouflon at Tripsdrill Wildlife

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 3

Male wild Sheep often have spectacular Horns and the Mouflon is no exception. I have seen them for some Reason only at three Zoos, and this for a Species which is common in Zoos. At Opelzoo Kronberg they are kept in a large naturalistic Ungulate Enclosure, these type of Enclosure is often found at Kronberg and yes they are simple Enclosures but they are spacious and fantastic for the large breeding Herd which is housed at the Zoo. Another nice hilly and naturalistic Enclosure for a smaller Herd of Mouflon can be found at Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park. Some Zoos keep them in walkthrough Enclosures such as Tripsdrill Wildlife which allows to feed the Mouflon but only with Pellets from the Zoo. On one of my Visits the Mouflons grabbed the Pellets Pack from a Family and they consumed the whole pack including the Paper. Tripsdrill keeps a large breeding Herd and if you visit the Zoo during Spring you are almost guaranted to see some cute Lambs. The Enclosure for Mouflon at Tripsdrill is a nice forested and very step walkthrough Enclosure that includes two sepperate Enclosures for Heck Horse and Yak both of which can be entered by the Mouflon but the larger Ungulates can not leave their own Enclosures and enter the walkthrough part of the Enclosure. Mouflon are interesting Zoo Animals and they even popular with standard Zoo Visitors espacially if they can be fed or when they have little Lambs.
 
Black Grouse

full


Photo made by @TeaLovingDave Black Grouse at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Grouse are rarely kept in Zoos and i have only seen the Black Grouse at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck which is famous for keeping rare eurooean Animals. At Innsbruck they keep a male Individual inside a spacious freeflight Aviary where he is kept together with Spotted Nutcracker and Mountain Hare which is a very interesting mix of rare Zoo Animals. On my last Visit in 2023 the Grouse was very active roaming arround and making full use of his Aviary. I think Grouse should be kept in more Zoos but sadly they are hard to keep and sadly this means they are endangered in many european Countrys and also rare in Zoos.
 
European Bison

full


Photo made by @German Zoo World European Bison at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 7

As a true Zoo success, the Zoo population of the European Bison recovered from only 12 starter Animals. Today the European Bison is a common Zoo Ungulate that i have seen at 7 Zoos. Previously the European Bison was also kept at Wilhelhelma Zoo where the last Indivudual Bison was kept in a simple Ungulate Enclosure in the Zoos former Demonstration Farm section to show a wild Bovine next to both Hinterwald and Limpurg Cattle. The Bison at Wilhelma either sadly passed away or they were send to another Zoo with the Closure of the Demonstration Farm. European Bison are often kept in simple and spacious Ungulate Enclosures. Examples for these Types of Enclosures i have seen at Bavaria Zoo Lohberg, Praha Zoos Plains section, Nuremburg Zoo and of course at Berlin Tierpark. At Berlin Tierpark they are kept next to a Herd of Wood Bison which allows for a interesting side by side comparison of two different Bison species. A smaller yet more unnusual Enclosure can be found at Alpine Zoo Innsbruck which i have already mentioned in my Wild Boar entry as this used to be a mixed Enclosure but for some Reason the Wild Boars were recently moved to the former Wolf Enclosure. On my last Visit in 2023 i saw several young Bison getting chased arround by the at least similar sized Wild Boar. A spacious and naturalistic Enclosure for European Bison can be found at Wildnispark Langenberg in Zurich. At Zurich they keep a large breeding Herd in a step semi walkthrough Enclosure where you can see the Herd from different viewing areas as you walk down the Hill. In the same Area of the Zoo there are also some Przewalskis Wild Horses but i dont know if they are sometimes mixed with the Bisons. Most Zoos that keep European Bison are also breeding them for releasing them back in to the Wild and so they are a true Zoo conservation flagship species.
 
Last edited:
North african crested Porcupine

full


Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 1

Most Zoo Visitors think that Porcupines are only found in Africa and Asia but the north african Species was also introduced to some south european Countrys. I think this is one of the rarer Porcupine species in Zoos as i have only seen them at 1 Zoo. At Zurich Zoo they are kept in the spectacular Kopje section of the Zoos famous Lewa Savannah. They keep a small breeding Group which can often be seen sleeping under their Heatlamps. The Porcupine Enclosure in Zurich sits between the huge Kopje Rocks and can be seen through large viewing Windows. The north african crested Porcupine can be a interesting semi native Substitute for the Indian crested Porcupine which is for some Reason more common in Zoos.
 
Bearded Vulture

full


Photo made by @KevinB

Seen at how many Zoos/Aquariums: 2

Europes largest Species of Bird of Prey is sadly endangered in many european Countrys. In Zoos they are often kept in spacious freeflight Aviarys and i have seen them at 2 Zoos. At Alpine Zoo Innsbruck you can enter a small Cabin and view them through a open Window. The Aviary at Innsbruck looks like a pice of alpine Wilderness both spacious and naturalistic. Previously this Aviary was also shared with Alpine Marmot but they seem to return to the Zoo sooner or later. Another spacious freeflight Aviary can be found at Nuremburg Zoo. The Aviary at Nuremburg was previously a Enclosure for Syrian brown Bear and was constructed in 2016. This particular Aviary was Home to several Species over the Years that were either phased out or send to other Zoos including Spotted Nutcracker, Red billed Cough and Bobak Marmot. Currently Nuremburg keeps them together with Rock Pigeon, Black Stork and Alpine Marmot. It is interesting to see that the Bearded Vulture can be kept together with several smaller Animals but this is mostly because of his bone based diet. Many Zoos that keep Bearded Vultures release their Chicks back in to the Wild and are part of a sucessfull conservation programm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top