Kiwara » Odense Zoo

Kiwara opened
27-06-2011

The huge new African theme "Kiwara" opened on June 1st 2011. Quite a few changes have been made to it since the original sketch that I posted here on ZooChat. here is a map of what it actually came to look like:



"Kiwara" is divided into four sub-themes: Africa's Rainforests, Africa's Rivers, Africa's Savannah's and Africa's Islands. The rainforest theme consists of the original chimpanzee house and outdoor island from 1999 (still one of the best in Europe). The river theme is made up of the huge Kiwara Aviary from 2009 (featuring free-flying flamingos, pelicans, hammerkops, etc.). The savannah theme consist of the huge new savannah and wetlands area as well as the lion exhibit from 1997 (also still one of the best I have ever seen). Finally the islands theme houses wildlife from Madagascar and Aldabra.

The species list for Kiwara is as follows:

Africa's Rainforests

• Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
• Dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula)

Africa's Rivers

• Dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula)
• Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
• Pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
• African spoonbill (Platalea alba)
• Hamerkop(Scopus umbretta)
• Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)
• Abdim's stork (Ciconia abdimii)
• Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
• Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)

Africa's Savannahs

• Lion (Panthera leo)
• Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
• Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi)
• Common ostrich (Struthio camelus)
• Western sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii gratus)

Africa's Islands

• Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)
• Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Overall, the new Kiwara theme in Odense Zoo is VERY well done. Special attention has been paid to the animal welfare which is top class. The original exhibits for chimpanzees (1999), lions (1997) and giant tortoises (2006) have been well incorporated into the theme and are all still some of the finest in Europe. The new wetland exhibit for sitatunga comprises a huge part of marshland creating the best possible exhibit for this species.

I visited the new Kiwara theme myself a few days ago and I will post some pictures in this thread when I have the time.

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I am Toddy, the zoo-enthusiast from Denmark!
Different zoos visited: 115
Favourite animals: Aardvarks and manatees.