Poznan Zoo (New) Poznan New zoo news

K

Kifaru Bwana

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Any news to share on recent changes?

* what about the new leopard (snow) exhibit (in the same fashion as the lynx was refurbished) being planned? Time frame?

* what is happening with the rhinos? Any breeding or new individuals coming to the zoo?

* giraffe group changes?

* any other noteworthy births?

* new exhibits?
 
After "transfering" dir. Ratajszczak to Wrocław and opening elephant house Poznań Zoo came to phase of stagnation. Almost none new investments (small modernizations only), little animal transfers. Nothing new about rhinos and giraffes. In Old Zoo new reptile house should be ready this year and this is the biggest investment in both zoos.
 
Arek, what is stopping them. Why the stagnation?
(incidentally Dr. Ratajszczak really is a world class director)
 
It’s only my supposition, but I think that is for reason of ... Elephant House. It was very costly and when was ready, zoo still hadn’t elephants (plan to bring animals from SAR or Namibia was fallen). So zoo started to look for elephants in whole Europe (it was almost round-up, they were looking for any animal with trunk). Relationship between Zoo and City Council wasn’t good and after this become worst. Zoo hasn’t big financial support from city and income from tickets also isn’t big. I have no data for 2011 but in 2010 were only 251 148 visitors in New Zoo (86 000 less than previous year in spite of opening elephant house). Among others it’s fault of poor zoo marketing and poor public transport to zoo.
 
Arek said:
It’s only my supposition, but I think that is for reason of ... Elephant House. It was very costly and when was ready, zoo still hadn’t elephants (plan to bring animals from SAR or Namibia was fallen). So zoo started to look for elephants in whole Europe (it was almost round-up, they were looking for any animal with trunk). Relationship between Zoo and City Council wasn’t good and after this become worst. Zoo hasn’t big financial support from city and income from tickets also isn’t big. I have no data for 2011 but in 2010 were only 251 148 visitors in New Zoo (86 000 less than previous year in spite of opening elephant house). Among others it’s fault of poor zoo marketing and poor public transport to zoo.
Click to expand...

Lack of vision from current management as well as City Council.
Obviously, they had to shut down Stare Zoo for some reason ...??? But relocation costs money and funds for new exhibits is urgently needed.

When stagnation falls in, at some point it becomes a Catch 22 .... from which only is .... the abyss becometh a self prophesied reality.
:mad:
 
Old zoo is still open and no plans to shut it down. It's free to visitors (tickets are to reptile house and temporary aquarium). But only few animals left. Former elephant and giraffe house is a kind of kinderboerderij now, lion house is empty (it will be education or exhibition pavillion - plans are changing from time to time), bird house is closed, in monkey house some eldery residents left and group of diana monkeys. Some waterfowl on ponds and in aviary, ring-tailed lemurs on island and it's all. And a big house (officially called Heterothermic Animals House) under construction. In my opinion to big and to modern looking to this small, old trees park.
 
Whatever problems Poznan may be facing, at least it continues to breed Kowaris! :)
Eleven were born in January.
 
Fortunately kowaris know nothing about the changes in the managment and about turmoil in zoo. :)
 
Arek said:
...the changes in the managment and about turmoil in zoo.
Click to expand...
It's not so long ago that Poznan was widely regarded by zoo enthusiasts as the most progressive and interesting zoo in Poland. Its decline in recent years is reflected in the tiny number of posts made on this thread since 2012. Nor have I heard of any Brit enthusiast(s) heading out there lately: Poznan has been eclipsed by other Polish zoos (especially Wroclaw).
Arek, is there any sign that the "turmoil in the zoo" might soon be resolved, or is the situation as bad as ever?
 
Last years are complete stagnation. Lack of vision from zoo management and bad relationship between Zoo and City Council (famous “affairs”: gay elephant, sex donkeys). Mr. Banach resigned and half year later (autumn 20114) after competition new director was elected. Winner was Mr. Niweliński, very good specialist (formerly director of Płock Zoo). He had some good plans but no support from City Council. To this came the conflict with unions (in both zoos are some trade unions). Some trade unionists supported by councilors constantly fought with the director. So Mr. Niweliński resigned. New contest was announced. No specialist has started this time but I heard rumors that Ms. Holečkova (former director in Dvur Kralove) thinking about it – this would be the only chance for better days for Poznań Zoo. Winner of contest is Ms. Zgrabczyńska rather unknown in zoo world but with strong support from some councilors. She has big cattery so in Poznań appeared sad joke that she’ll transform Old Zoo into shelter for cats. Summarizing last years were rather bad for zoo but I'm afraid that the coming years will be even worse.
 
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