Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
Zurich zoo is located in the City of Zurich in Switzerland, and has one of the largest collection of madagascan animals in any zoo in the world. The majority of these madagascan species are kept in the zoo's masoala exhibit. This exhibit is huge. there is an exhibition describing the conservation work done by the zoo in Madagascar, and a cafe overlooking the waterfall and large rainforest pool. The chances of seeing all the animals in here are very small, as the exhibit is like one big Biome, with everything as near as it can be to the wild. Some of the more interesting species kept in here are the madagascan crested ibis, red ruffed lemur, aloatran gentle lemur, vasa parrot, hammerkop and Aldabra giant tortoise.
But this is not the only Rainforest exhibit at Zurich zoo, there is another, but on a south American theme. There are paddocks outside for the Brazilian Tapirs, capybara and giant anteater and these species tend to breed well here. There is also a group of Plains Viscahas in a glass fronted exhibit. There are actually two exhibits for the Viscahas, and they are connected to each other by little tubes. Bizarrely, the next animals in this house are the zoo's king penguins. Zurich has quite a large group of the species. They have an indoor area, with underwater viewing, and an outdoor area. The penguins tend to be more popular when inside. Then up the stairs to the Siamese crocodiles. Zurich zoo has bred a number of these endangered animals and the young are sometimes on show with their parents. Some of the other animals kept in this house are two toed sloth, Spangled cotinga, Blue crowned mot-mot, grey winged trumpeter, Golden rumped agouti and emperor tamarin.
The elephants at Zurich are very successful. They have a large paddock and quite spacious inside accommodation. The Adult male her, Maxi, has a terribly small exhibit and he sways back and forth for hours on end. There is also a flock of Crested wood partridge near the exit to the elephant house.
Zurich zoo participates in the EEP programme for the black rhinoceros, and they have four individuals, one male and three females. Their outside exhibits are fantastic and their inside shelter is nothing to complain about. They share the house with pygmy hippos. The hippos also have an outdoor paddock, which they share with Egyptian geese and Marabou storks. Inside there are many african birds free-flying in the house. Turacos and Starlings are just two examples. At the entrance to the house stands a watchman, a shoebill stork. These birds are extremely rare in zoos, and have not yet successfully bred in zoos. All the individuals seen outside of Africa have been wild caught. If you plan to watch the shoebill move, then you're in for a long wait, as these birds can stay motionless for hours while they watch the water in search of Lungfish, their favourite food.
Zurich does have quite an impressive collection of hoof-stock, with Banteng, Goitered gazelle and Arabian oryx all being displayed in large paddocks towards the centre of the zoo.
One of the largest exhibits here is that for the breeding groups of Spectacled bears and coatis. Their exhibit spans over a whole hillside and there are various different things to keep them amused and active. There is a stream running through the centre, which culminates in a waterfall and a pool at the base of the exhibit.
Other species shown at the zoo are Pileated gibbons, Orang-utans, gorillas, Vicuna, Darwin's rhea, Galapagos tortoise, Falkland island flightless steamer duck and Asian lion.
Rare species:
Galapagos tortoise, Golden headed lion tamarin, Shoebill, Darwin's rhea, Banteng, Falkland island Flightless steamer duck, Siamese crocodile, Spangled cotinga, Golden headed quetzal, Gelada, Viscahas, Madagascan crested ibis and Pileated gibbon
But this is not the only Rainforest exhibit at Zurich zoo, there is another, but on a south American theme. There are paddocks outside for the Brazilian Tapirs, capybara and giant anteater and these species tend to breed well here. There is also a group of Plains Viscahas in a glass fronted exhibit. There are actually two exhibits for the Viscahas, and they are connected to each other by little tubes. Bizarrely, the next animals in this house are the zoo's king penguins. Zurich has quite a large group of the species. They have an indoor area, with underwater viewing, and an outdoor area. The penguins tend to be more popular when inside. Then up the stairs to the Siamese crocodiles. Zurich zoo has bred a number of these endangered animals and the young are sometimes on show with their parents. Some of the other animals kept in this house are two toed sloth, Spangled cotinga, Blue crowned mot-mot, grey winged trumpeter, Golden rumped agouti and emperor tamarin.
The elephants at Zurich are very successful. They have a large paddock and quite spacious inside accommodation. The Adult male her, Maxi, has a terribly small exhibit and he sways back and forth for hours on end. There is also a flock of Crested wood partridge near the exit to the elephant house.
Zurich zoo participates in the EEP programme for the black rhinoceros, and they have four individuals, one male and three females. Their outside exhibits are fantastic and their inside shelter is nothing to complain about. They share the house with pygmy hippos. The hippos also have an outdoor paddock, which they share with Egyptian geese and Marabou storks. Inside there are many african birds free-flying in the house. Turacos and Starlings are just two examples. At the entrance to the house stands a watchman, a shoebill stork. These birds are extremely rare in zoos, and have not yet successfully bred in zoos. All the individuals seen outside of Africa have been wild caught. If you plan to watch the shoebill move, then you're in for a long wait, as these birds can stay motionless for hours while they watch the water in search of Lungfish, their favourite food.
Zurich does have quite an impressive collection of hoof-stock, with Banteng, Goitered gazelle and Arabian oryx all being displayed in large paddocks towards the centre of the zoo.
One of the largest exhibits here is that for the breeding groups of Spectacled bears and coatis. Their exhibit spans over a whole hillside and there are various different things to keep them amused and active. There is a stream running through the centre, which culminates in a waterfall and a pool at the base of the exhibit.
Other species shown at the zoo are Pileated gibbons, Orang-utans, gorillas, Vicuna, Darwin's rhea, Galapagos tortoise, Falkland island flightless steamer duck and Asian lion.
Rare species:
Galapagos tortoise, Golden headed lion tamarin, Shoebill, Darwin's rhea, Banteng, Falkland island Flightless steamer duck, Siamese crocodile, Spangled cotinga, Golden headed quetzal, Gelada, Viscahas, Madagascan crested ibis and Pileated gibbon
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