Bratislava Zoo

Bratislava Zoo
30-11-2008

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.

30-11-2008

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.

14-03-2012

Has anyone been to Bratislava Zoo more recently? Is it worth a visit?