Small zoos

S

Shirokuma

Well-Known Member
What is the smallest zoo you've been to?

I think the smallest I've been to is Central Park Zoo with around 10 exhibits in 3 areas plus the children's zoo.

Also, what animals do you think would make a good small collection? (from a visitor point of view as well as an expert's).
 
The smallest zoo I've been to would probably be the Willow Park Zoo in Logan, UT. There collection is largely waterfowl, with a few native mammals and a group of capuchin monkeys. It's a nice little place. The smallest accredited zoo I've been to is the Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls, ID. This zoo is a true gem. It's on less than 10 acres (I'd estimate 5-7) There collection is pretty varied. Very little hoofstock, but good primate and bird collections. They also have red pandas, otters, sloth bears, wallabies, singing dogs, and more. My own local Zoo Boise is only 11 acres and is a very nice facility. The largest animals exhibited are giraffes.
 
The zoo in Battersea Park in London has small primates, some wallabies and when I was there, meerkats and Fennec Foxes. There is also the somewhat small butterfly conservatory, Wings of Paradise, in Cambridge, Ontario.
 
The (probably ) most small zoo in all the world, where I've been is the former jardín zoológico de Valencia, (now closed) they have only between 1,5 and 2 acres (7,000 square meters)
 
Isn't the RSCC in Kent about 2 acres or less in size? I've visited the Central Park Zoo, which is about 6 acres but definitely worthwhile to see.
 
I've been to a horrid little public menagerie in Brussells years ago, that was in the basement of a building in the city. Very small, probably 30 feet by 50 feet. Largest things kept were monkeys.
 
I'm not sure this'd qualify as a zoo but in case it does, the smallest I've been to is 'Snake George's' Reptile Park in Cyprus (a few times). It's tiny but has a good selection of reptiles native to the island, many of which are endangered ..... snakes, lizards, terrapins and tortoises. It's run by an ex-NATO Austrian peacekeeper (IIRC) who never left 30 years or so ago ...... and who, ever since, has worked to educate people about the value of these native creatures, that they shouldn't be feared and so on.

As a small collection it really works because it has a specific objective and theme - as opposed to a mish-mash of unrelated species often found in small parks. The guy who runs it is a quiet, gentle man who's always about and happy to discuss anything. The enclosures are far bigger than at many larger zoos and you get a great view of the animals.
 
The smaller licensed zoo I´ve been to is probably Crocodile Zoo in Protivin, with just 450 m2. All it´s exhibits are only indoors, placed in an old building.

The smallest "classic open-air" zoo would be probably Zoopark Patek (its licencing proces hasn´t been compleeted yet I think). I would estimate its area to be around 1000 m2 (1500 at most).
 
Smallest I've been to is Bristol at twelve acres, which I visited for the first time this year. You can see nearly all the animals in under an hour and a half, but it's laid out wonderfully, and it's collection is very good for a zoo of it's size; for example, the polar bears, elephants and other large animals that once lived here are replaced by a suitable and smaller but just as interesting collection of animals, including the odd large one. (Gorilla, Lion, Okapi, Pygmy Hippo, Fur Seal, Tapir).
 
I far prefer small zoos to huge zoos (not that I dont enjoy huge zoos, just enjoy small zoos more). For example I far prefered Bristol over London and Chester, although there is an amazing collection at both of these zoos, Bristol had a friendlier and generally better atmosphere to it. I feel at large zoos such as Chester you cannot spend as much time as you would want at each exhibit if you want to see everything. Smaller zoos can do a better job at education and conservation (as people are encouraged to spend longer at each exhibit).
 
Shaldon zoo is 1 acre, it's great and has a lot of education/conservation messages. Also RSCC is 1.5 acres.
 
Ash said:
Shaldon zoo is 1 acre, it's great and has a lot of education/conservation messages. Also RSCC is 1.5 acres.
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Those are probably my two smallest as well, unless we are counting the Butterfly and Otter Sanctuary at Buckfastleigh which has got to be under an acre.
 
Central Park is the smallest I've visited. The best small zoo I've seen is Fort Wayne. It was a terrific zoo although there were no elephants, hippos or other huge animals (other than giraffes). Their African section was very impressive and had a good collection of predators including hyenas, lions and leopards.
 
In Hungary the Krokodil Zoo in Kaposvár is only 110 m2... It's a small private collection, there are only some caiman and snake species.
 
KEEPER said:
The (probably ) most small zoo in all the world, where I've been is the former jardín zoológico de Valencia, (now closed) they have only between 1,5 and 2 acres (7,000 square meters)
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ola amigo que tal?
 
Blackduiker

The smallest zoo I've visited would have to be the South Nevada Zoo, in Las Vegas. I believe something like 3 acres. Maybe a bit larger.
 
Ive been to RSCC, but I am wondering if it is as small as Seigfried and Roys secret garden in Las Vegas? It has Lions, tigers, leopards, and Dolphins. they used to have an elephant there too. I think there were camel and alpaca in her enclosure when I visited. This is a weird place in the middle of a casino!
 
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