Europe's 50 must see zoos

Germany - Weltvogelpark Walsrode

Founded: 1962
Size: 24 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 2
Birds 650
Reptiles & amphibians 2
Fish 0

Walsrode is one of the most species rich zoos in Germany, which is quite an achievement as the collection consists almost completely of birds. It may not have the huge aviaries like Jurong, but in terms of diversity no zoo comes close to the number of bird species in Walsrode. Most birds are kept in nicely planted moderately sized aviaries, without any geographical consistency. The only consistency is that a lot of the species on display are rare in other zoos. The rainforest hall for example has Capuchinbirds, two Cock-of-the-rock species, Twelve-wired bird of paradise among others, excluding the free-flying rarities. Among the highlights in the collection are Horned screamers, multiple species of Birds of paradise, three Coua species and the only Horned guan in Europe. The on-show collection is ever changing with species being moved off- or on-show and new rarities are acquired yearly. Some species like the Sickle-billed vanga don’t establish, so once it is gone from Walsrode it can be a long time until zoo-nerds get another chance to see them. But every year there are some new rarities on show, with often unexpected surprises like Horned screamers. This is probably the only zoo where there are you can get bored of Coua as both the Crested and Blue coua are on show in at least five differnce aviaries. This duplication is also true for other zoo rarities. The whole zoo has a very strong botanical department and the gardens would be a delight to walk through, even if you would not be distracted by Dwarf cassowary, Harpy eagle, Lesser adjudant or Kiwi, to name just a few….


@lintworm , Large walkthrough aviary


@lintworm , Paradieshalle, with many smaller Tropical bird species


@FunkyGibbon , Main lawn


@FunkyGibbon , Aviary example

Zoochat gallery:
Weltvogelpark Walsrode | ZooChat

www.weltvogelpark.de

Zoo map:
http://www.weltvogelpark.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Weltvogelpark_Parkplan_2018.jpg

 

What kind of species are in that large walk-through Aviary? It looks brilliant!

 

The species line-up has slightly changed, there were some Stilts in the second part of the aviary as well as some ducks (already forgot the exact species). The main aviary still keeps more or less the same species, though the Vulturine guineafowls may have left.

 

Jersey - Durrell Wildlife Conservancy Trust, Trinity

Founded: 1963
Size: 12 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 24
Birds 49
Reptiles & amphibians 39
Fish 0

Every major zoo talks about their role in conservation, few zoos can claim that they had a crucial role in saving one species from extinction, let alone multiple… The zoo on Jersey is just a small part of the work that the Trust is doing, as they have breeding centres and conservation projects throughout the world. Located on an island themselves, island conservation plays a major role in Durrell’s work, especially in the Malagasy region and the Caribbean. Far from all species that Durrell works with are present in Jersey, Pygmy hog and Madagascar pochard are among the absentees. But what is present still makes an interesting bunch with Europe’s largest Aye-Aye population, Pink pigeons, Livingstone's fruit bat, a unique reptile collection and Red-billed chough. The latter are part of a re-introduction programme on Jersey itself. The collection doesn’t only consist of islanders or critically endangered species, species like Spectacled bear, Western lowland gorilla and various Marmosets are also present. But most ABC species are absent. What is held is presented in good enclosures on well planted grounds around the old Les Augres Manor. If only every zoo would show Durrell’s commitment to conservation a lot more species could be saved from extinction.


@Hix , Durrell logo in front of the Manor


@molinea , Gorilla enclosure


@molinea , Central valley


@Gigit , Fruit bat aviary

Zoochat gallery:
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust | ZooChat

www.durrell.org

Zoo map:
http://wildlife.durrell.org/library/files/durrell_map_2015_web_res.pdf

 

Netherlands - Natura Artis Magistra, Amsterdam

Founded: 1838
Size: 14 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 85
Birds 84
Reptiles & amphibians 62
Fish 160
Invertebrates: 155

Natura Artis Magistra, Amsterdam’s Royal zoo may have the most classical name in the European zoo world, meaning Nature is the Teacheress of Art. The entrance with the two golden eagles is also certainly styleful and many parts of the zoo are as well. For example the aquarium building, once the largest in the world, is the possibly the most beautiful of all Europe’s aquariums as a building, but it can’t compete with the collection of Berlin. In other parts Artis is a small city zoo trying to adapt to the 21st century. The renovated monkey and bird house is an example of how they are mostly succeeding in doing just that. Contrary to the relatively similar Antwerp, Artis has gotten rid of many of its larger mammals and though the small mammal collection is still good, this is not where Artis excels, ectotherms are now Artis' strength. The reptile house is good but nothing special, neither is the amphibian section of the aquarium. The best parts of the zoo are devoted to the smallest animals. The insectarium is one of the most extensive on the European mainland and the butterfly hall also plays in the top league. Artis is however unique in devoting a whole museum to microbes: Micropia. Micropia is a modern museum which apart from living microbes, like Tardigrades, Micropia highlights the roles these animals play and what bizarre adaptations they have. One of Europe’s great historical zoos, which saw Europe’s first breeding of Common hippo, Caribbean manatee and Goliath heron is now specializing in Partula snails and Tardigrades and when done well, like here, that can also be classy.


@lintworm , Insectarium


@lintworm , Micropia


@JamesB , Aquarium main hall


@vogelcommando , Renovated Monkey house

Zoochat gallery:
Artis Royal Zoo | ZooChat

www.artis.nl

Zoo map:
https://www.artis.nl/media/filer_pu...6-4319-9b10-b107259f4d38/artis_kaart_2017.pdf

 

Didn’t Regent’s Park, London first breed the common hippo?

 

"Guy Fawkes", born London Zoo, 5th November 1872, was the first zoo-born hippo to be successfully raised by its mother.

But there was a previous birth in Amsterdam (Artis) that was hand-reared by keepers.

 

I love the sort of architecture used like in Artis's aquarium. Reminds me of some of the best old natural history museums.

 

Well, now we've reached the Netherlands. The next zoo is probably, I don't know, Apenheul?

 

I'm visiting Artis today, looking forward to it (but not the drive into Amsterdam).

 

So Budapest didn't made the list? The monumental entrance gate and Elefántház, the evolution themed Varázshegy and the America Tropicana made it a very special zoo to me, more or less a Central European version of Artis or Antwerp.

 

Budapest was on the earliest versions of the list, but was replaced by Artis, mainly due to Micropia, Aquarium and the Insect house. Budapest does have some amazing architecture, though the America Tropicana looked very rundown to me this year.... Budapest is indeed very comparable to Artis and Antwerp, but in many ways an outdated version of the earlier two, though the buildings are great...

 

Netherlands - Apenheul, Apeldoorn

Founded: 1971
Size: 12 hectares
Species and subspecies (including domestics):
Mammals 45
Birds 9
Reptiles & amphibians 3
Fish 5

Located in the park “Berg & Bos” (Mountain & Forest, though the mountains are missing) lies Europe’s premier primate destination. Close to 40 primate taxa live here of which almost half in walk-through enclosures, though the planned Gorilla walk-through never materialized. The walk-throughs can often hardly be called enclosures though, as they are mostly enclosed sections of forest. The most legendary walk-through is the one for Squirrel monkeys, which they share with Darwin's rhea, and it can be magical to walk through a forest with Squirrel monkeys going around their business all around you. Primates that can’t be kept in a walk-through are mostly kept on spacious green islands; the Gorilla island is the centrepiece of the park with 1.5 hectare and virtually unchanged since 1976. None of the primates has any reason to complain about their outdoor enclosure size though, though indoor enclosures are limited in size, but cleverly designed. The Proboscis monkey project failed recently, but the breeding record with other specialist primates such as Woolly monkey, Sifaka and both Howler monkey species is impressive and there is hardly a primate species in the zoo that hasn’t bred here yet. There is more to see than just primates, but the Barbary sheep, Waldrapp, Capybara and Coati do look slightly lost between all the primate madness. A particular highlight are the free-flying Macaws. Apenheul is actually not unique in Europe, as it’s founder also founded a second Apenheul in SW France: Vallee des Singes.


@EmperorTamarin Bonobo and Spider monkey islands


@EmperorTamarin One of the four outdoor enclosures for Orang utan


@Toddy , Part of the gorilla island


@Orycteropus , Part of the Squirrel monkey walk-through

Zoochat gallery:
Apenheul Primate Park | ZooChat

www.apenheul.nl

Zoo map:
https://www.apenheul.nl/media/1008541/2018-apenheul-plattegrond-voorjaar.pdf

 

So cool to read all these nice summaries/ reviews. How many zoos already come to pass? Next will be Arnhem I guess?

 

You're welcome

Apenheul was the 33rd zoo on the list and it won't be a surprise that Burgers' will be number 34 . After the Dutch zoos it will become a bit more unpredictable though .

There is an overview of the list so far in the first post: Europe's 50 must see zoos

 

Only 16 zoos left?
And 15 more European countries?

Lets see what could be in store.

Norway: no idea
Poland: Wroclaw is a certainty and I am sure another Polish zoo will make an appearance.
Portugal: Lisbon?
Romania: Probably not going to make it.
Russia: Moscow will probably make it.
San Marino: do they even have a zoo?
Serbia: I feel Belgrade wont make the cut
Slovakia: Bratislava doesnt seem that special
Slovenia: No idea
Spain: Barcelona is quite likely. I expect a few more.
Sweden: Maybe one will make it
Switzerland: Zurich for sure. Bern has a good shot too
Turkey: No idea
Ukraine: No idea
United Kingdom: This is where most will be I feel, Chester and London are certain. Other than that anything goes, Whipsnade and Cotswold seem likely.
Vatican: No zoo lol

 

For Switzerland, I think you forgot Basel.

 

Well, if I had to pick out two out of these three, I would have made the same choice.