Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny Is it worth visiting Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny in March?

S

StephenUK

Member
Hello,

I've been to Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny once before, and it didn't go very well! It was the middle of March, but the weather was unusually bad. It was freezing cold (precisely 0°C) and snowing. I think we were the only visitors in the zoo that day.

We managed to see indoors/through glass: two tigers, a hippo, a rhino, a giraffe, flamingos, monkeys (I think specifically mantled guereza), and one or two reptiles, and outdoors: about two Shetland ponies, three bison, a donkey, and a peacock. The bears were still hibernating.

The thing that stood out, apart from how cold it was, was seeing the most enormous hippo I've ever seen. I've seen quite a few hippos in zoos, and this one was huge!

I may be able to go back to the zoo some time around 21-23 March. It should be about 11-14°C, although probably raining (most likely day Saturday 23 March).

I have two questions, please. 1. Do you think it is worth going this time of year/in this weather? 2. Does anyone know whether the bears are awake yet? I'd love to see them, but they may still be hibernating (they were definitely hibernating in the middle of March the year I went before).

Many thanks.

:-)
 
Yes, why not?
You can check the current species kept at the zoo at zootierliste.de. I understand that the first time you were unusually unlucky with the weather but in a good weather the visit should be pleasant.
Cannot be sure about the bears, but, given the relatively warm weather in Poland in the last weeks, they should be well active. Actually, bears in zoos in Poland usually do not hibernate.
 
The bears are awake. At least they where last week on Friday. Don't know how much time you have, and where will you be staying. 1h drive from Katowice you also have Ostrava Zoo, Opole Zoo and Krakow Zoo. If you need to choose I would go to Ostrava, than to Opole and then maybe Chorzow. If you need a guide tour I'm leaving approximately 1km from the Chorzow zoo and can show you the most interesting things. The only problem I'm planning a ski trip and will be back in town on the 24th. Cheers!
 
Hello, Jurek and Marcin,

Thanks to you both for your replies.

Yes, I was very surprised to find that the bears at Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny hibernate. As I understand it, when bears hibernate in the zoo, it is a sign that they are being cared for in a way that is similar to how it would be if they were wild bears.

I'll be staying in Wrocław, but I was considering an overnight trip to Chorzów. I have been to Opole before, but not to Kraków or Ostrava. I'd like to visit all of these places! I think where I can visit on this trip will come down to where is possible to get to quickly from Wrocław. I haven't been to Opole since 2015, so I imagine there will be different things to see now.

I'm afraid I fly back to London on the 24th.

Thanks again.
 
The bears in zoo "semi hibernate". Sometimes they go out, sometimes they just wake up to eat. Its pretty much their choice based on what I read.
In Chorzow they usually don't come out starting November and come back in March. But we need to remember in Chorzow we have two old brown bears (sisters - 27 years old), and one himalayan black bear (I think she is 37).
 
Wrocław has good railway connections with Opole and Katowice. To Opole one hour journey and from the station less than 15 minutes by foot to the zoo. To Katowice 2-3 hours and from the station 15-20 minutes by tram to the zoo e.g train from Wrocław 7:25 in Katowice 9:34 so you don't need hotel in Chorzów.
 
Arek said:
Wrocław has good railway connections with Opole and Katowice. To Opole one hour journey and from the station less than 15 minutes by foot to the zoo. To Katowice 2-3 hours and from the station 15-20 minutes by tram to the zoo e.g train from Wrocław 7:25 in Katowice 9:34 so you don't need hotel in Chorzów.
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Thanks. We might still go the night before so we don't need to start as early, and it might be nice to see Chorzów. We saw quite a bit of Katowice and it was really interesting. Not a typical tourist destination—I guess a bit like Manchester.
 
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