In your opinion what is the best zoo European thematic area in the world - based on animal collection BUT also design/theming of the area? African, Asian and even North American sections are always glorified and impressive, but do European sections have a chance too?
AlpenZoo Innsbruck or Tierpark Dahlholzli in Bern. There are a few other candidates but those are the ones that spring to mind.
the main point is does "keeping natural landscape" count as "theming"? because of course there are a lot of european wildpark excel in their own native species. And what would exactly a "European theme" exhibit looks like, if that doesnt count? of course for africa and asia it's often temples and huts and jungles dairy etc., but what about europe? just have a 1600s style gothic cathedral with badgers and wisent outside?
Of course, the landscape also takes part in the design of a themed area. I consider a thematic area something along the lines of ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen. Its African and North American sections are amazing. I am not a huge fan of culturally depicting buildings within animal enclosures.
Zoo Goldau in Switzerland is also nice. It has a forest part, rocky part on the location of a 19. century rockslide plus a large lake with an aquarium. In Europe, especially in Germany, there are many low-profile local zoos and nature parks set in picturesque forests and meadows, and probably no Zoochatter visited them all. So it is surprisingly difficult to find the best European exhibit!
