Masterplan Antwerp Zoo » Antwerp Zoo

16-04-2008

I only wanted to say that belgium's Antwerp Zoo comparing to the Dutch zoos is communicating very poorly about their new developments. This refering to Jelle's remark on the Dutch zoos in post # 5.

I think also that the exibits at Antwerp zoo now are far more attractive than in the early 90's (hippo pool, vriesland, birdhouse, reptile house, nocturnal house, all have been renovated in a excellent way). It is true that the zoo lack the impressive installations of some Dutch zoos but that's another discussion.

So, given their problems (little space, momumental garden) Antwerp is doing very well last couple of years, except for communication.

16-04-2008

Philipine talks about the communication of the Antwerp Zoo. That's bad, true. But I think the zoo doing great efforts to make the exhibits better. Now you already have some beautiful projects like vriesland, hippotopia, bear exhibit, renovation of the reptile building, renovation of the aquarium, himalaya biotope, renovation of the nocturama, new lion exhibit in 2008...I think they're doing well...

16-04-2008

So what your saying is that they are bad now but they are trying to make it better? (just making sure)

16-04-2008

No , in the early 90's there were a lot of bad exhibits, that's a fact. But since 1998 they started to invest more and more in new projects. You can't compare the Antwerp zoo in 1990 and in 2008.
There still are bad points like in every park but they can't do everything in the same time of course . Anyway you should make a visit .

16-04-2008

I'd love to but i live in Australia check my profile. Do apologise for trying to be smart.

16-04-2008

Yeah I saw you live in Australia , it's not impossible . I also would love to go there mmm! Must be great!

17-04-2008

Your are right i it isn't impossible but next holiday will probably to Hong Kong and my parents will probably only go like last time.

Antwerp Zoo
18-04-2008

Several decades ago , there was a TV series shown in NZ called "Great Zoos of the World " or some similar title .
I was disappointed that it was a relatively short series ( I think 10 zoos in all )
But Antwerp Zoo made it on the programme , despite it being in a somewhat cramped position .

I was impressed with the aerial photo of part of Antwerp Zoo on our gallery .

It seems to do well with what resources it has , if the photo is any indication .

Would it be the best known zoo in Belgium ?

To compare it with Netherlands zoos would be to compare NZ and Australian zoos . Different countries , different issues

I wish Antwerp Zoo all the best for its future plans .

18-04-2008

wow Antwerp is considered a great zoo there must be some hidden beauty i'm not seeing. Melbourne zoo is a beautiful zoo it isn't massive but the exhibits are very exotic the only other one in australia that i've gone to is Taronga zoo they exhibits have a great vibe to them i can't really explain what it is but the exhibits are good.

The best zoo i have gone to is probably Singapore zoo the elephant exhibit isn't the best thing in the world but the exhibits are very roomy and have lots of things the animals would naturally access. Such as certain plants and the right type of mud. Again i can't find the right word for it but it looks like the animals are naturally there. They also keep rare exotic species like the false Gharial.

18-04-2008

If you're not seeing it then you haven't been there...

It's an impressive and very old zoo, it breathes the atmosphere of old and not very many zoo's (still) do. Having said that, they improved a lot the last decade and the Zoo is beginning to position itself between the best in Europe, with only a minimum of bad exhibits and a multitude of very good ones.

Add to it an impressive array of architecture and gardening and you have yourself a very fine zoo indeed...

@Nigel: As far as "best known" in Belgium, it'll be FAAAAAAAAR ahead of any other Zoo in Belgium bare perhaps Planckendael. Due to every possible reason thinkable (education, history, commercials, TV-shows...etc).

That's not to say it's the best zoo in Belgium, because there's a serious contender (coming up very strongly recently) in Parc Paradisio...

It's easy for everyone to compare it to Dutch zoo's, because there's a lot of similarities between them and there's not much in Belgium to compare it to. (Imo relatively small) Political differences aside, i don't really see why you can't compare them...

18-04-2008

Yes you are right Nigel, it was called "Great zoos of the world", other zoos in the series were, London, Frankfurt, San Deigo, I think Cologne zoo was another one,

19-04-2008

Wich photo do you mean? It's certainly the best known zoo in Belgium. Our country already is small and the Antwerp Zoo is the only 'real' ZOO for me . It's the oldest one, everyone knows it and everyone has been there who lives in Belgium I think.

19-04-2008

there's a good book called "Great Zoos of the World" (from 1980, editor Lord Zuckerman), maybe the book of the tv series?

19-04-2008

The TV series was made around 1970 and was a good look into some of the major zoos of its time, maybe someone could do a NEW series of todays top zoos

19-04-2008

Would any of you guys be able to describe Planckendael zoo exhibits in more detail?