Monaco Zoo Why does Monaco have such a sucky zoo?

DavidBrown

DavidBrown

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I was just wandering through the gallery and found pictures of the Monaco Zoo:
http://www.zoochat.com/gallery/monaco-zoo/

I don't know much about Monaco other than Grace Kelly stopped making movies to become the queen of it, and that it has the reputation for being a pretty swanky place with lots of rich people.

Does anyone know why their zoo looks like it belongs in a third world country instead of one of the (I thought) richest places on the planet?
 
This is old menagerie, size of about two tennis courts, and build on terraces on the sheer cliff. Something behind its age.
 
Jurek7 said:
This is old menagerie, size of about two tennis courts, and build on terraces on the sheer cliff. Something behind its age.
Click to expand...

I thought that this zoo might be old too, but according to the official Monaco website, it was only built in 1954!

Here's how the website bills the zoo:
"Camped on the side of the south face of Grimaldi Rock, this garden was founded in 1954 by HSH Prince Rainier III. It houses some two hundred and fifty animals from fifty different species: exotic birds, black panther, white tiger, hippopotamus, reptiles, primates, lemurs, ... who live in conditions of comfort that is exemplary."

http://www.visitmonaco.com/fr/A-voir,-A-faire/Jardins
 
Lack of accountability and what I imagine to be a relatively indifferent local populace who don't wish to rock the boat won't help I imagine. Also, from an historical point of view, Mediterannean Europe hasn't generally had the best conditions for captive animals.
 
Shirokuma said:
Lack of accountability and what I imagine to be a relatively indifferent local populace who don't wish to rock the boat won't help I imagine. Also, from an historical point of view, Mediterannean Europe hasn't generally had the best conditions for captive animals.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight Shirokuma. I find it very puzzling that this place exists in the 21st century. I know most zoos have at least some exhibits of marginal quality, but I found this place especially bad...I have violated my own policy of not judging a zoo by photos, but in this case I see no down side. At least they no longer keep a solitary elephant in the shoebox that now houses a camel (as of 2005 at least).

I always want to be hopeful for positive change, if it is warranted.

Does anybody know if renovations and improvements are planned? In this economy and with this zoos current condition I am doubtful, but with Monaco's (apparent) wealth hopefully SOMEONE will take an interest?
 
It was started as Prince Ranier's private animal collection. I wasn't aware it is open to the public nowadays, but evidently so. They have had Orangutans and Gorillas in the past too- in very poor housing(from photos I have seen)
 
I must admit i thought it had closed too,i dont think Raniers son is over-enthused with it-indeed he got involved with Born Free at one point,proving that hes either desperate or insane.Nonetheless i think i will try and check it out this winter..any excuse to get out of the British weather! I wont be expecting much i will admit.
 
Tim Brown said:
I must admit i thought it had closed too,i dont think Raniers son is over-enthused with it-indeed he got involved with Born Free at one point,proving that hes either desperate or insane.Nonetheless i think i will try and check it out this winter..any excuse to get out of the British weather! I wont be expecting much i will admit.
Click to expand...

Tim, did you ever get a chance to visit this zoo? If so, what was your impression?
 
Sorry David,got rather overtaken by more worthy visits...so nothing to report im afraid...the Monaco zoo remains a mystery.Im bound to say that a recent French guide to zoos [which seems very comprehensive]doesnt list it at all.
 
Tim Brown said:
Sorry David,got rather overtaken by more worthy visits...so nothing to report im afraid...the Monaco zoo remains a mystery.Im bound to say that a recent French guide to zoos [which seems very comprehensive]doesnt list it at all.
Click to expand...

Typical ... Monaco is not France. :D
 
Yes Kifaru..but if you had the book you might observe that Monaco IS included on the maps covered.The book is"Aquariums,zoos,parcs animaliers en France"[petit fute].Its a bit like saying that Durrell[Channel Islands] and Curraghs Wildlife Park[Isle of Man] shouldnt be included in a guide to uk zoos...or that Gibralter Zoo SHOULD be included if they are.
 
Last edited:
And for what its worth the 1997 book "Guide des zoos et autre parcs animaliers en France"[Valerie Abad] DOES include Monaco[which it should].Confusingly the Jardin Animalier at Fontvieille is listed but the Monaco Zoo was always listed as the Centre de Acclimatation Zoologique in the International Zoo Yearbook.Maybe another place?
 
Last edited:
Never thought to Google[doh!]...yes they are the same place[see above].and its still open according to the web, offering "exemplary living conditions for the animals".Maybe this winter then!
 
Well, Tim Brown & I finally got to see Monaco's zoo for ourselves recently. The only large mammal still in residence is a single Common Hippo (with plans to extend its accommodation). Otherwise the collection now mainly holds birds, small primates, some other small mammals (agouti, coati, wallabies, etc.), and a few reptiles. It's certainly not one of Europe's great smaller zoos, but neither is it the 'animal hell-hole' that some would have you think...and that maybe it was, in the past, when it held apes, big cats, etc.
Interesting to see Ring-tailed Lemurs mixed with parrots: don't recall having seen that before. The lemurs weren't showing any inclination to harass the birds whilst we were observing them.
 
DavidBrown said:
I thought that this zoo might be old too, but according to the official Monaco website, it was only built in 1954!

Here's how the website bills the zoo:
"Camped on the side of the south face of Grimaldi Rock, this garden was founded in 1954 by HSH Prince Rainier III. It houses some two hundred and fifty animals from fifty different species: exotic birds, black panther, white tiger, hippopotamus, reptiles, primates, lemurs, ... who live in conditions of comfort that is exemplary."

Parc - Jardin
Click to expand...
Why not rename it the Ultrarich Gardens of Functional Extinction(s)?
(sorry, I could not help myself ..., but become extremely sarcastic on this "wonderful" PR stunt of a media outing).

It seems going on the observations' and newspaper clipping @lintworm put out here that they seem to have taken some feedback of the down-and-out side of the former zoo gardens on board! Not to be picky: Found the nice picture of a peregrine falcon a tad out of place without any further explanatory notes from the newspaper. Do peregrines frequent the rocky habitat of the ZG de Monaco at all ... are they breeding here?

Interesting to see how this all pans out if one of us would visit?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top