This free petting zoo wouldn’t be considered a zoo if it weren’t for the fact it would call itself a “tierpark”, which made it end up showing on both google maps and maps.me as “tierpark Kreuzlingen”. It also warrants a mention on Zootierliste. Naturally, I had to go see...
The whole complex is basically a farmhouse, surrounded by a few yards, most of which were fenced off with rediculously tall chainlink fences holding goats, pigs and a donkey or two.
I wasn’t going to mention the visit if it weren’t for what looked like a row of old pheasantry-styled aviaries. On closer inspection, it turned out that what seemed like a whole row, was just 2 separate aviaries. Both contained European species. The first had common crossbill, eurasian partridge (signed but unseen), red-legged partridge, eurasian bullfinch, european greenfinch and european goldfinch (most signed, all seen). The second had bearded reedling and eurasian teal (signed and seen).
Both aviaries were well planted/landscaped, decent in size and held species that I found interesting. I couldn’t help thinking that zoos that still have those old parrot rows can still use the aviaries. Take the cramped birds out, knock them through, plant them well and put a few interesting birds in. For me, it would result in something I’d watch with joy.
If you want to see how, there’s a bunch of amateurs in Switzerland that can do better than most big zoos can.
(For those who wonder, I didn't count this for my zoo list. Apologies for the volunteers that work hard to keep the “tierpark” running).
The whole complex is basically a farmhouse, surrounded by a few yards, most of which were fenced off with rediculously tall chainlink fences holding goats, pigs and a donkey or two.
I wasn’t going to mention the visit if it weren’t for what looked like a row of old pheasantry-styled aviaries. On closer inspection, it turned out that what seemed like a whole row, was just 2 separate aviaries. Both contained European species. The first had common crossbill, eurasian partridge (signed but unseen), red-legged partridge, eurasian bullfinch, european greenfinch and european goldfinch (most signed, all seen). The second had bearded reedling and eurasian teal (signed and seen).
Both aviaries were well planted/landscaped, decent in size and held species that I found interesting. I couldn’t help thinking that zoos that still have those old parrot rows can still use the aviaries. Take the cramped birds out, knock them through, plant them well and put a few interesting birds in. For me, it would result in something I’d watch with joy.
If you want to see how, there’s a bunch of amateurs in Switzerland that can do better than most big zoos can.
(For those who wonder, I didn't count this for my zoo list. Apologies for the volunteers that work hard to keep the “tierpark” running).
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