Chizlit, please can we have a full review of your visit and your impressions of the collection please.
OTT with the pleases i know, but Duisburg is one of those zoos we hear far too little about.
What did you think of the Rio Negros exhibit?
Kiang,
I'm pretty hopeless at reviews mainly because I forget alot of things that others might remember or be interested in, but I'll give my impressions.
Firstly I've been there for the last 2 years so it must tell you that I like the place.
As far as I'm concerned there are a few poor enclosures, these are for the tiger (maybe there is more than one, but I only saw one) and the grizzly bear, firstly the tiger enclosure is quite small and some of this is made up of a moat, the zoo certainly has space and it owes the tigers a bigger area.
The grizzly area is basically a concrete pit, it does have space but looks bad to my eyes, also the grizzy is very overweight (but maybe she's happy like that anyway!).
Also I'm not so keen on the lion area, it's too small for the amount of lions (4 or even 5 I think).
However these complaints are outweighted by the rest of the zoo which I find very enjoyable.
You asked about Rio Negro, well yes this is a special place, it's a beatutful setting for a wonderful animal, sadly she's alone, but at least has a brilliant place to spend her time in.
Also there are free range animals in here too, some small monkeys and a very brightly coloured bird which (sorry don't know what it was, some small toucan type bird) seemed to enjoy sitting close to people so it could peck at there bags or clothing.
There is a koala house which is small but I think they must have an outdoor area, but as it's winter they are kept indoors.
There's a large African paddock in the centre of the zoo which houses a large herd of zebra and several rhinos.
The ape/ monkey house is also good, it also contains a couple of pygmy hippos, lots of armadillos (lovely animals to watch because they are always moving and digging), and a sloth, which is great to watch for the opposite reason seeing it not moving!
There are biggish areas for wolves, reindeer, red river hogs, and a great mixed paddock for anteaters / tapirs and capybaras.
I'm sure there's lots more I could write about so if you want to know more just ask and I'll try to answer, and if I can't I'm sure one of our German friends will know.
Basically if you are in the area it's very much worthwhile visiting in my opinion.
