Norwegian moose
Well-Known Member
This is something i have thought about for quite some time now, what is really the best zoo country in the world ? It is many things that a country must have to be a good zoo country, whethever it is the number of institutions, the quality of the establishments, or the number of animal species in each country. In this poll I have nominated 7 countries in, + the other option for other countries. Underneath I have written a shorth description, for each country,+ some hounorable mentions, with my personal opinions about each country. Note that this is only my personal opinions, feel free to write underneath, and remember to vote on the poll.
United States: This country is the country, I personaly think is the number 1. zoo country in the world. That is because it may have more high quality zoos than any other nation in the world. Zoos that have been highly praised include: San Diego, Omaha, Bronx, Colombus, Miami, Dallas, Animal Kingdom, and many more! In the Zoochat gallery there are pictures from 392 zoos and aquariums, and on the web page Zoos Worldvide I managed to find imformation about over 600 zoos and aquariums ! Even more, most of the larger zoos have good conditions for their animals. Only 10 percent, or about 220 zoos are accredited by AZA, That means that there are over 2000 zoos and aquariums in the United States ! Sadly many, or most of the unaccredited zoos have pretty bad conditions for its anmals, but that is outweighted by the good accredited zoos. Also most larger American zoos are quick to modernise, update and improve their animal exhibits. That means that if you go on a road trip there one year, and visits all the major zoos, and if you then visits all the same zoos two years after, you will notice that almost all of the zoos have gotten new exhibiths ! Also the United States is a big aquarium nation, the best aquariums are: Georgia, Shedd, and Monterrey Bay.
Germany: It is imposible not to love a country with over 500 zoos ! Even though many still associate Germany with Hitler, the country have many
nicer things to offer, zoos ! Every larger city in Germany have a zoo. And as it is very easy to move from one place to another with collective transport the zoos are always accesible for everybody. Big guns in the zoo world include: Berlin West, Berlin East, Leipzig, Hanover, Cologne, Duisburg, Hagenbeck, Frankfort, Dortmund, Wuppertal, and Walsrode, + many more ! The German zoos are maybe the most political correct zoos in the world. That meant that they were the first to ever exhibit many species of animals, and they used to catagorise them very accuarately taxonomicaly. Unfourtanetely that also meant that they were good in housing animals in unappropriate conditions. Luckily in todays world most of the German zoos are changing for the better, by improving their animal exhibiths. And today Germany are at the forefront in the world when it comes to exhibit design. I firmly believe that by a wide margin Germany is the best zoo country in Europe.
United Kingdom: United Kingdom have been the first with very many inventions in the zoo world, they started the worlds first scientific zoo (London). They opened the first safari park in the world outside Africa (Longleat). And they were the first to hold gorilas in large groups (Howletts, and Port Lympne). And not to be missed one of the worlds first modern zoos (Chester). Some says that British zoos are very traditonal. I disagree, based on the reasons written above, and the fact that they improve all the time, is a reason for placing the UK among the best, and most inovative zoos in the world. The best zoos in the United Kingdom are: Chester, Edinburgh, London, Whipsnade, Marwel, Cotswold, Colchester, Howletts and Port Lympne.
The Netherlands: While the United Kingdom are inovative, Netherlands are even more inovative, I believe they are the most inovative zoo country in the world. They are the most inovating and best, both when i come to making good geo zoos that are sorted geographicaly (Rotterdam), to create gigantic rainforest, and desertdomes (Burgers). Rotterdam and Burgers are the best zoos in the country, but other good zoos are Amsterdam, Emmen, and Apenheul.
France: Bonjoir, France is much more than just good food, romantic cities (Paris), large acres of countryside, and pretty ladies
, France also have some very good zoos ! While french zoos are not so well known as the german, british and dutch collections, they have a number of good zoos that are well worth visiting. France have more zoos than the UK !, with 300-350 collections. The best zoos in France is argueably Beuaval Zoo. Other than that Paris have two zoos, the one Jardin Des Plantes is desperately in need of repair (but have several rare species),and a second one Vincennes that is now closed, but they will build a new zoo on the site, that will be one of the best in the country. So why not just take a trip down to France, and drop the wine, food, and ladies, and instead enjoy some faboulous zoos .
Australia: Altough the country down under only have four major zoos Taronga, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, they are well worth seeing due to the fact that they exhibhit animals in world class exhibiths. It is also reccomended to visit small Australian fauna parks as they have animal species that you can not see anywhere else in the world (tasmanian devils, koalas, wombats, quolls and platypus). Worthwhile fauna parks to see are Healesville, Currumbin and Australia Zoo. Almost all the zoos in Australia have exhibths that are very good, and so not only the wildlife, but also the zoos are a good reason to visit the worlds smallest continent.
Singapore: This tiny country, the worlds only city state only have a few zoos, but they are all world class, so they are worthy of a mention here. Singapore Zoo is a "bareless" zoo. And the animals are wiewed in habitats that are seperated from humans, only with glass barriers, or ditches. Also it is recomendable to partcipate in the daily orangutan breakfast. Jurong Birdpark is the worlds best birdpark. As Walsrode still have more birdspecies, they have huge aviaries, like the african waterfall aviary, and it is also impresive to watch thousands of lories and lorikets in the Lory Loft. Night Safari is a unique zoo in the world, as you need to drive there in a car in the middle of the night to see the animals. River Safari is a newly built zoo, that I have heard very little about, but it seems like it is also a unique zoo, by the fact that it is a place were you travel on a boat to see the animals. River Safari even have giant pandas. Yet another newly built, this time aquarium, have 25 dolphins, and and huge aquariums. So you really should consider to visit this spot on the map just to see its zoos.
Honourable mentions: Not every country made it to the top for me. But here are some honourable mentions of countries, and their best zoos, that is still very well worth visiting.
Chech Republic: Prague Zoo, and Pilsen Zoo.
Denmark: Copenhagen Zoo, Odense Zoo , Aalborg Zoo, Ree Park, and Randers Rainforest.
Spain: Madrid Zoo, Barcelona Zoo, Valencia Bioparc, Valencia Aquarium, and Loro Parque.
Russia: Moscow Zoo
South Africa: Pretoria Zoo and Johannesburg Zoo
Malaysia: Melacca Zoo
Japan: Okinawa Churami Aquarium
Canada: Toronta Zoo and Calgary Zoo
I Have maybe forgotten some countries
Remember that this is only my personal opinion. Remember to vote on the poll, and comment bellow. Personal lists of top zoo countries is appreciated.
United States: This country is the country, I personaly think is the number 1. zoo country in the world. That is because it may have more high quality zoos than any other nation in the world. Zoos that have been highly praised include: San Diego, Omaha, Bronx, Colombus, Miami, Dallas, Animal Kingdom, and many more! In the Zoochat gallery there are pictures from 392 zoos and aquariums, and on the web page Zoos Worldvide I managed to find imformation about over 600 zoos and aquariums ! Even more, most of the larger zoos have good conditions for their animals. Only 10 percent, or about 220 zoos are accredited by AZA, That means that there are over 2000 zoos and aquariums in the United States ! Sadly many, or most of the unaccredited zoos have pretty bad conditions for its anmals, but that is outweighted by the good accredited zoos. Also most larger American zoos are quick to modernise, update and improve their animal exhibits. That means that if you go on a road trip there one year, and visits all the major zoos, and if you then visits all the same zoos two years after, you will notice that almost all of the zoos have gotten new exhibiths ! Also the United States is a big aquarium nation, the best aquariums are: Georgia, Shedd, and Monterrey Bay.
Germany: It is imposible not to love a country with over 500 zoos ! Even though many still associate Germany with Hitler, the country have many
nicer things to offer, zoos ! Every larger city in Germany have a zoo. And as it is very easy to move from one place to another with collective transport the zoos are always accesible for everybody. Big guns in the zoo world include: Berlin West, Berlin East, Leipzig, Hanover, Cologne, Duisburg, Hagenbeck, Frankfort, Dortmund, Wuppertal, and Walsrode, + many more ! The German zoos are maybe the most political correct zoos in the world. That meant that they were the first to ever exhibit many species of animals, and they used to catagorise them very accuarately taxonomicaly. Unfourtanetely that also meant that they were good in housing animals in unappropriate conditions. Luckily in todays world most of the German zoos are changing for the better, by improving their animal exhibiths. And today Germany are at the forefront in the world when it comes to exhibit design. I firmly believe that by a wide margin Germany is the best zoo country in Europe.
United Kingdom: United Kingdom have been the first with very many inventions in the zoo world, they started the worlds first scientific zoo (London). They opened the first safari park in the world outside Africa (Longleat). And they were the first to hold gorilas in large groups (Howletts, and Port Lympne). And not to be missed one of the worlds first modern zoos (Chester). Some says that British zoos are very traditonal. I disagree, based on the reasons written above, and the fact that they improve all the time, is a reason for placing the UK among the best, and most inovative zoos in the world. The best zoos in the United Kingdom are: Chester, Edinburgh, London, Whipsnade, Marwel, Cotswold, Colchester, Howletts and Port Lympne.
The Netherlands: While the United Kingdom are inovative, Netherlands are even more inovative, I believe they are the most inovative zoo country in the world. They are the most inovating and best, both when i come to making good geo zoos that are sorted geographicaly (Rotterdam), to create gigantic rainforest, and desertdomes (Burgers). Rotterdam and Burgers are the best zoos in the country, but other good zoos are Amsterdam, Emmen, and Apenheul.
France: Bonjoir, France is much more than just good food, romantic cities (Paris), large acres of countryside, and pretty ladies
, France also have some very good zoos ! While french zoos are not so well known as the german, british and dutch collections, they have a number of good zoos that are well worth visiting. France have more zoos than the UK !, with 300-350 collections. The best zoos in France is argueably Beuaval Zoo. Other than that Paris have two zoos, the one Jardin Des Plantes is desperately in need of repair (but have several rare species),and a second one Vincennes that is now closed, but they will build a new zoo on the site, that will be one of the best in the country. So why not just take a trip down to France, and drop the wine, food, and ladies, and instead enjoy some faboulous zoos .Australia: Altough the country down under only have four major zoos Taronga, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, they are well worth seeing due to the fact that they exhibhit animals in world class exhibiths. It is also reccomended to visit small Australian fauna parks as they have animal species that you can not see anywhere else in the world (tasmanian devils, koalas, wombats, quolls and platypus). Worthwhile fauna parks to see are Healesville, Currumbin and Australia Zoo. Almost all the zoos in Australia have exhibths that are very good, and so not only the wildlife, but also the zoos are a good reason to visit the worlds smallest continent.
Singapore: This tiny country, the worlds only city state only have a few zoos, but they are all world class, so they are worthy of a mention here. Singapore Zoo is a "bareless" zoo. And the animals are wiewed in habitats that are seperated from humans, only with glass barriers, or ditches. Also it is recomendable to partcipate in the daily orangutan breakfast. Jurong Birdpark is the worlds best birdpark. As Walsrode still have more birdspecies, they have huge aviaries, like the african waterfall aviary, and it is also impresive to watch thousands of lories and lorikets in the Lory Loft. Night Safari is a unique zoo in the world, as you need to drive there in a car in the middle of the night to see the animals. River Safari is a newly built zoo, that I have heard very little about, but it seems like it is also a unique zoo, by the fact that it is a place were you travel on a boat to see the animals. River Safari even have giant pandas. Yet another newly built, this time aquarium, have 25 dolphins, and and huge aquariums. So you really should consider to visit this spot on the map just to see its zoos.
Honourable mentions: Not every country made it to the top for me. But here are some honourable mentions of countries, and their best zoos, that is still very well worth visiting.
Chech Republic: Prague Zoo, and Pilsen Zoo.
Denmark: Copenhagen Zoo, Odense Zoo , Aalborg Zoo, Ree Park, and Randers Rainforest.
Spain: Madrid Zoo, Barcelona Zoo, Valencia Bioparc, Valencia Aquarium, and Loro Parque.
Russia: Moscow Zoo
South Africa: Pretoria Zoo and Johannesburg Zoo
Malaysia: Melacca Zoo
Japan: Okinawa Churami Aquarium
Canada: Toronta Zoo and Calgary Zoo
I Have maybe forgotten some countries
Remember that this is only my personal opinion. Remember to vote on the poll, and comment bellow. Personal lists of top zoo countries is appreciated.
