July 22nd 2018 - Jihlava have a bowl of Coco Pops
Back in Europe, back in the thread. I'm very jetlagged so you'll have to make do with a few quick thoughts on the first zoo of what will be a much shorter jaunt this summer.
The main entrance to Jihlava opens onto the African section, and what a section. It's very, very well-formed, not at all what I was expecting from a small town zoo. Although it lacks, for the most part, larger animals, the presentation and exhibit quality is first class. The theming is mostly tasteful, but has not been allowed to interfere with the main goal of cramming in as many exhibits as possible. And what a species line up!
Next door is the Australian section, themed around a farmhouse rather dubiously called Polack's Farm. Again, the attention to detail is second to none, as is the rather eccentric collection (apologies for not having the energy to go in to it). These two exhibit complexes are the modern face of Jihlava, and they represent it well. They are ambitiously conceived, brilliantly executed and lovingly maintained. To offer high praise (in my eyes), they could absolutely be transplanted into Zurich, and nobody would bat an eyelid, except for the fact that they are fairly cramped. Most of the enclosures feel on the small side. In a space-poor zoo this might be necessary and they are certainly not lacking in enrichment, however the all-indoor exhibits for small mammals are, imo, way too small. It's a bit of a blot on an otherwise fantastic first impression.
Other highlights of the zoo include a gibbon house and cages whose dry moat doubles as the babirusa exhibit, a really well presented tropical building focused on herps, a fantastic sun bear grotto and a South-American building whose exterior features three kinds of Guinea pig. However the heart of Jihlava is the cat collection. Sumatran Tiger, Sri Lankan and Persian Leopard, Snow Leopard, Serval, Caracal, Eurasian Lynx, Bobcat, Jungle Cat, Pallas' Cat, Gordon's and European Wildcat, Geoffrey's Cat, Margay and Sand Cat. Not bad eh? Obviously the catch is that while much of the above is attractively housed, a large part is still in what is unavoidably a pretty poor Cat House. It sticks out like a sore thumb in the zoo, and one assumes is far and away the highest priority for development. Fortunately, if they could just shift the tigers out (should be space in the woods somewhere), and lose a couple of the less choice species the existing structure would form a perfectly decent Small Cat House if the outdoors were to be extensively reworked.
The bird collection is very good in the Australian section, wobbly elsewhere and almost totally absent in Africa. Geese are a notable strength, and there is a giant aviary for White-tailed Eagle and a nice mixed waterfowl walkthrough. On the whole though, it just feels like the zoo would benefit from plenty more passetines!
I think the most striking thing about Jihlava, and it is perhaps sadly telling, is that it seems to really love being a zoo. Indoor areas are enthusiastically displayed, zoo smells are at times too dominant, enclosures for nerdy species are worked into exhibit complexes at every opportunity. There is a huge sense of confidence and ambition about the place, such that you almost wonder if the small site will eventually become a hindrance rather than a strength. Even though I have misgivings about the exhibit sizes in the new developments I couldn't help loving this wonderful zoo. It way exceeded my cautiously optimistic expectations and finds itself in the company of the likes of Odense and Bern as a really world class small to medium size zoo.
