Papiliorama - Kerzers Papiliorama questions

[Toddy]

Hello ZooChat, can anybody help me?

I have been looking at the website for this very interesting looking instutution Papiliorama in Switzerland. Here us a link to their English website. As far as I can understand from their website they have three indoor tropical halls:

Papiliorama - Tropical greenhouse with butterflies and hummingbirds

Nocturama - Indoor tropical hall where the day/night cycle is reversed. Various nocturnal animals from the South American rainforests.

Jungle Trek -A more standard tropical hall with animals from the South American rainforests. Seems to be a new exhibition?

Can anybody tell me if this is correct and any other info about this place?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Jurek7]

I was there 2 years ago.

They also have small petting zoo and wire walk-in cage/aviary for native butterflies.

Walk-thru nocturnal hall was generally a very interesting concept, worth replicating in other zoos. The finish, however was rather artifical (white concrete, visible glass panels + blue lighting tubes). There was about a dozen species: mountain & common paca, agouti, night monkey, long-tongued bat, coendu, sloth, armadillo etc. Some looked exactly the same in the darkness. Inside the hall was walk-thru aviary for spectacled owls and partially open ocelot enclosure (I guess some freeflying bats get eaten).

Big butterfly hall had 2 sp of hummingbirds.

Also, there was a small room with few inverts and several large cages with agoutis, trumpeters, green iguanas, flying foxes etc - I guess they are in jungle hall now.

Impressive was active program for conservation of rainforest reserve in Belize(?). Swiss zoos have very active and succesful in situ conservation programs in general.

Overall, worth visiting if you are in Switzerland. Allow ca 1 hrs (brief) to 3 hrs (butterfly fanatics).

 

[Toddy]

Thanks Jurek7

I was actually considering going to Switzerland this summer. The idea would be to have my "base of operations" in Zürich, and the visit Zürich Zoo, Basel Zoo, Pailiorama and if possible Mulhouse Zoo (France). If it is possible by public transportation of course.

 

[Jakub]

@Toddy:
I visited Switzerland this summer, you can travel very well by public transport, from Basel to Zurich the journey takes about one hour and 10 minutes, the trains depart about each hour from Basel main station to Zurich and it takes only 30 minutes from Basel to Mulhouse, i would recommend you to visit Mulhouse Zoo, they have a superb collection of primates, with 10 lemur's species (crowned sifakas, white-collared lemurs, Lac Alaotra Lemurs), the only black saki in Europe and only red-bellied guenon in captivity, Allen's-L'hoests-Roloway-owl guenons, pied tamarins etc.
Zoo is located in very nice park area, I have to say, this zoo was a great experience for me, but some animals enclosures are outdated, especially for bears.

 

[Jurek7]

I was actually considering going to Switzerland this summer.

Yes, it is perfectly possible. Zurich, Basel and Mulhouse are well connected by frequent trains.

Bern zoo is also perhaps worth a visit. Nice exotarium and wonderful exhibits for European animals set in the beech forest and riverside. Not to be confused with bear pits elsewhere in the Bern town.

Actually, it is rather easy to see wild ibex, chamois, marmots and golden eagles in the Alps, but its rather a side attraction of a mountain trip and you need a car.

 

[Toddy]

Sounds good Since I am very interested in primates Mullhouse sounds like a "must-see" for me. Bern Zoo is also a possibility. It sure does look like a nice zoo.

Of course the main goals of a trip to Switzerland would be Zürich Zoo with the Masoala building and Basel Zoo. Secondary objectives would be Mulhouse Zoo, Papiliorama and Bern Zoo.

I am not sure if it will be Switzerland this summer or Prague. But I will surely go the Switzerland within the next 2 years! Thanks for all your help guys

 

[Al]

Hi Toddy,

I have been twice in the last two years and know the owner. The zoo is an amazing collection with amazing attention to detail. Their new dome is very impressive, you can also get to see tayra which are pretty uncommon in zoos now adays!