Bratislava Zoo Established in 1960, the zoo of Slovakia's capital has about 1300 animals of 150 species, covering a more or less hilly area of 35ha. How to get there: various buses go past the zoo. I'd recommend 31/32, as they departure from the central train station. Bratislava Zoo's main attraction are its white tigers, white lions and their Dino Statue Park-which pretty much explains why I'm not overwhelmed by this zoo. The exhibits for the big cats are new and the outdoor enclosures rather large-but mostly just as bare as the indoor ones. Why should anyone think that leaving some branches on the floor and abstract paintings on the wild wall would be enough behavioural enrichment for big cats? Adjusting the branches to form climbing structures would at least provide swift climbers like the Sri Lanka Leopards with a new dimension of room use-without making it more difficult to clean... There are some interesting species, like Pacific monitor, Nubian Ibex, Pygmy Slow Loris, Rothschild Giraffes and more Raccoon dogs than I have ever seen outside of fur farms, but all in all, the zoo appears to be old-fashioned (European Brown Bear/Sumatran Tiger grottos...), a bit untended and somehow bare, lacking animals or rather, a better presentation of the animals kept. The staff seems to be well-intended, but most likely, money and some creativity (plastic dinosaurs just don't do it...) are missing; the plan for the new primate house doesn't look too promising. All in all: missing out Bratislava Zoo on Your trip to Slovakia isn't a loss. In its current state, Bratislava has better attractions to offer.
I was there in 2003 and I can remember the old big cat cages( and the bloody t-shirt ! ) and after the visit I said to myself, never to visit that zoo again, until it is completly rebuild.
Visited it last week. Not a great zoo, only a few exhibits that I liked (rhinos, urang and chimp indoor enclosures)
Female pygmy hippo was born in January. Parents are Dima (32) and Paul (7). Also a male Rotschild giraffe was born in January. Parents are Jimmy and Tejla.
Kongo the Chimpanzee died : http://spectator.sme.sk/c/20150488/one-of-europes-oldest-chimpanzees-dies-in-bratislava.html
A litter of bat-eared foxes (0.0.3) was born. The zoo had one old male (14) and brought in two young females from Krakow zoo. Two days later, one of them unexpectedly gave birth. The whole group, that means the old male and two young females, are taking care of the litter. Also, their Sri-Lanka leopard house is closed for visitors for now. A single cub was born in July to Nimali.
Bratislava will probably face a very "interesting" future. After 30 years in position, the current director is stepping down. The interviews for the new one were happening on 19th June. Current director of Zoo Košice, who is also a president of the Union of Czech and Slovak zoos wrote about it on his Facebook: "Unfortunately, none of the candidates has direct experience of working in a zoo. Just two of the candidates are/were cooperating with zoos during their current job. Also, some of the candidates shown that their knowledge of Slovak legislation regarding zoos and rules of running contributory organizations is insufficient. I'm not very optimistic, but we had to pick someone."
When I have read about the three possible candidates some time ago, I was telling myself - are they kidding? How did they come with them? Has nobody working in Slovak or even Czech zoos shown any interest in this job or were they preselected by political body thanks to some personal connection? Interesting times ahead, yes very much. Bratislava zoo was misstreated by its municipality for decades. Maybe, it can´t get worse? And the new person could actually initiate a turn for a better future? Miracles happen sometime...
The zoo holds now 2 old White Rhinos cows. 29-years old Tootsie came from Kessingland few days ago. A third cow is sheduled to arrive next year.
What is the reason for not setting up a breeding group here? Lack of experience with breeding rhinos? Has it to do with the somewhat antiquated rhino holding area and outdoor exhibit?
Recently 4 South African bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis megalotis) were born. Source: Instagram of Bratislava Zoo (31/05/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPhw0UTLGgv/
Bratislava zoo got a pair of Southern Lesser Kudu. Female from Stuttgart and Male from Magdeburg. The animals can be seen in a new enclousure behind the White Rhino.
In Februay 2-year old female Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) Carina was send to Terra Natura. In March 18-year old male white Tiger (Panthera tigris) passed away, he arrived from Liberec in 2006. If the translation is correct, the zoo now wants to start breeding Sumatran tigers. On the same day a Black sable antelope (Hippotragus niger niger) was born. At the end of March a Babcock's leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis babcocki) hatched. Also an Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) was born in March. A month later another Arabian oryx was born. In April 2 2-year old female Chapman's zebras (Equus quagga chapmani) were send to Kosice Zoo. Bratislava zoo now has 3,3 Chapman's zebras. In May a second Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) was born. In June a European bison (Bison bonasus) was born. In June 17-year old male Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) Wanja passed away. He was born in Burgers Zoo in 2004 and arrived at the Bratislava in 2010. In July a Kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) was born. In August a female Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) was born. Sources: Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (17/02/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLZGnvUrb8i/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (09/03/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMMJoyfLHyT/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (24/03/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMyzLpkruca/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (29/03/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CM_f9Hur5kK/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (30/04/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/COR68hPr5oF/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (22/04/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN9XN2-Lv0L/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (14/05/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO1_1PgLfeq/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (05/06/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPuzOX5LOu1/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (19/06/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQSb_qSLrHK/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (09/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHIcZFr6kp/ Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (10/11/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWFrgQ_KEzH/
At the end of last year multiple animal were born: On the 13th of December a female Black sable antelope (Hippotragus niger niger) was born. On the 22nd of December a female Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) was born. The day before Christmas a male Llama and a male Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) were born. Recently a pair of North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) arrived at the zoo. The male is dark colored while the female is brown colored. Sources: Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (13/01/2022) Login • Instagram Instagram of Zoo Bratislava (20/01/2022) Login • Instagram