I've visited 2 notable Spanish zoos:
- Terra Natura, Benidorm
- Barcelona Zoo
I've also visited a couple zoos which were quite poor standard (one in Mallorca particularly stands out)
Terra Natura
I quite liked this zoo and it was better than I was expecting after seeing the posters in the airport which highlighted the zipwire more than the animals.
It is split into a number of zones: Pangaea, South America, Asia and Europe.
Pangaea is the first thing you see as you enter the park. It has the usual visitor amenities (shop, restaurant etc) and apparently has some invertebrate exhibits (although we didn't see these). The area is themed on the prehistoric supercontinent and is primarily the 'visitor centre' of the park.
Leading from Pangaea is a winding path which takes visitors to South America. The first exhibit that appears is a nicley planted common rhea enclosure (it had one normal and one white rhea when I visited). Then there is a average "farm" area with animals like llama and mara. South America also has an "arena" where aztecs performed a dance/celebration thing, but can't remember the exact details of this. After leaving the arena visitors then head to the excellent South American aviary (set in an Aztec temple). There is a winding path which takes people through a dense forest environment. Some of the species here include toucans and boat-billed herons. There was also a tank for a large species of snake (i believe it might have been an anaconda). After the area, is the major part of the South American zone which has enclosures for Jaguar, Ocelot (these were quite small), Armadillo and Collared Peccary as well as an aviary for Toco Toucans. The main attraction is a very good Buffy-Headed Capuchin island with capybara in the moat below which seemed like a good idea. The South American zone has a themed shop and restaurant.
http://www.zoochat.com/179/capybara-terra-natura-semi-submerged-34984/
http://www.zoochat.com/179/keel-billed-toucan-34963/
http://www.zoochat.com/179/capuchins-terra-natura-34962/
The next area is the largest and the most themed. Asia is home to a number of species:
- Asian Elephant
- Asian Wood Owl
- Reticulated Python
- Asiatic Lion
- Indian Rhino
- Dhole
- Siamang
- Saltwater Crocodile
- at the time of my visit; Amur and Bengal tigers
- leopard
- Asiatic hoofstock
The elephant enclosure is very large and set into the hillside (discussed in the european elephant enclosure thread) and is home to a decent sized herd. Visitors approach the elephant enclosure by walking through a trail which has the enclosures for owl and pythons before coming to the elephant pool (a good size as well and seemed very clean). The path leads up the hillside and the Asian plaza area has a number of themed restaurants, shops and attractions. The enclosures for the big cats are larger than the jaguar enclosure in the S.American zone, but the leopard and tiger enclosures didn't have enough plants for my liking. The Rhino enclosure is adequete but could do with some plant life. The crocodile enclosure is directly opposite the rhinos and has a nice pool. The Dhole and Siamangs rotate the use of the enclosure and it is a good enclosure for both species as the Siamangs have plenty of climbing opportunities and the dhole have hiding spots.
http://www.zoochat.com/179/asian-elephant-exhibit-terra-natura-benidorm-34989/
http://www.zoochat.com/179/indian-rhino-terra-natura-34958/
The European area is themed on a Greek village and the animals here are mostly domestic animals in a walk-through area. This is primarily a visitor area.
Attached to the zoo is a water park which is a pretty standard one, however it has a tank which allows people to go diving with sharks and rays. There is also underwater viewing to this tank.
Overall a good park and is one which needs to be visited to be fully appreciated in my opinion.
Best features:
- elephant enclosure
- South American aviary
- crocodile enclosure
- Capuchin enclosure
- Lion enclosure
- Dhole/Siamang enclosure
Disappointing areas:
- Jaguar/Ocelot/tiger/leopard enclosures
- european area (domestic animals just don't do it for me...)
(as a side note, the food there was also very good compared to other zoo catering)
(disclaimer: it has been a few years since I visited so I may have confused some things)
I can't remember Barcelona clearly enough to write a review, I only really remember Snowflake.
